Changes have been made to the Post Study Work Visa requirements and visa conditions as part of the Immigration Rebalance.
As of 7 September, the changes detailed below will go into effect. They apply to any new students who submit a Student Visa application after 11 May 2022. Changes include:
New eligibility requirements for people who studied non-degree levels 4-7. To be eligible, their qualification must be on the Qualifications Eligible for a Post Study Work Visa list.
You are eligible for a Post Study Work Visa if:
If you applied for your Student Visa on or before 11 May 2022 you may be eligible for a Post Study Work Visa, even if your qualification is not on the Qualifications Eligible for a Post Study Work Visa list. However, you must have an acceptable qualification.
There are also transitional arrangements for students who applied for their student visa on or before 11 May 2022, and for students who have been granted a Student Visa as part of the border exception for 5,000 students (cohort 4). In both cases students must have studied an acceptable qualification.
To be acceptable:
Your qualification at level 7 or higher is acceptable if your course lasted 30 weeks or more.
Your Level 4, 5 or 6 qualification is acceptable if you:
Qualification requirements if you were studying, or had applied for a student visa, by 8 August 2018.
English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) qualifications are not acceptable.
You may be able to apply for another Post Study Work Visa, but only if you complete another qualification in New Zealand that:
If you applied for your Student Visa after 11 May 2022 there are new requirements for a Post Study Work Visa. Go to the staying to work after study page to find out more.
The new visa requirements for post study work visas are a positive step in making sure that international students are able to gain the appropriate work experience in New Zealand after completing their studies. This will help to better prepare them for the workforce and make them more attractive candidates for employers. However, it is important to note that these changes will only come into effect for students who applied for their student visa on or before 11 May 2022.
For those who applied after this date, the new requirements will apply. It is also worth noting that partners of student work visa holders will now be required to meet the eligibility criteria of the Green List in order to be eligible for a Post Study Work Visa. This is a positive change as it will ensure that only those with the necessary skills and experience are able to gain access to New Zealand's workforce.
A deep analysis article of the changes is being produced by our team and will be published soon.