Post-Study Work Visa — New Zealand

This visa allows you to remain in New Zealand after you complete an eligible qualification.

It gives you time to work in New Zealand for 1 to 3 years, depending on your qualification level and where you studied.

Immigration New Zealand (INZ) manages all applications and makes the final decision on your visa.

Who this is for

You can apply if you have successfully completed a qualification in New Zealand.

Your qualification must be awarded by a New Zealand education provider.

You must:

• Hold or have held a valid Student Visa
• Complete your qualification in New Zealand
• Meet INZ application requirements at the time you apply

This visa suits graduates who want to stay and work after finishing their studies.

It differs from temporary work visas such as the Essential Skills Work Visa or the Specific Purpose Work Visa, which are tied to specific roles or purposes.

If you previously held a Working Holiday Visa, this visa offers a different pathway because it is based on your New Zealand qualification, not a holiday work arrangement.

If you later plan to apply for residence, you may consider options such as the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa, subject to meeting those separate requirements.

What the visa allows

The Post-Study Work Visa allows you to remain in New Zealand and work after graduation.

The length of your visa depends on two factors:

INZ grants the visa for between 1 and 3 years.

The exact duration depends on your individual circumstances.

You apply directly to Immigration New Zealand (INZ).

INZ reviews your completed qualification and confirms whether you qualify for the visa.

When you can apply

You can apply after you successfully complete your qualification.

Follow these steps:

1. Complete all academic requirements for your New Zealand qualification.

2. Ensure your qualification has been formally awarded.

3. Submit your Post-Study Work Visa application to INZ.

Do not apply before you complete your qualification.

INZ requires confirmation that you have successfully finished your course of study.

If you need other immigration forms for different visa categories, you may encounter forms such as Form INZ 1017 or Form INZ 1015, depending on the visa type.

Use only the form specified for the Post-Study Work Visa by Immigration New Zealand (INZ).

You must pay the correct fee when you submit your application online to Immigration New Zealand (INZ).

processing times are generally measured in weeks, but they vary by category and location.

Fees and cost notes

The application fee for a Post-Study Work Visa starts from NZ$1,670.

INZ also lists a fee of NZ$5,000 (as of February 2026) for certain Post-Study Work Visa applications.

You must also show that you hold at least NZ$5,000 to support yourself.

This amount is separate from the visa fee.

Fees differ from other work visas such as the Essential Skills Work Visa, Specific Purpose Work Visa, or a Working Holiday Visa.

If you later apply for residence under the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa, you will pay a separate residence application fee.

INZ updates fees periodically.

Always confirm the exact amount through Immigration New Zealand (INZ) before you submit your application.

Processing time estimates

Processing times depend on the application stream and where INZ processes your file.

Under the standard process, most Post-Study Work Visa applications take 20 to 30 business days.

INZ also indicates that 80% of applications are processed within 4 weeks.

This estimate applies to typical, complete applications submitted online.

Processing starts after you submit a complete application and pay the correct fee.

If you previously held a Student Visa, ensure you apply within the required timeframe after it expires, as late applications can delay or prevent approval.

Only INZ can confirm current timeframes for your specific case.

Where processing times vary

Processing times vary based on three main factors:

• The category of Post-Study Work Visa you apply under
• The processing location handling your application
• Whether your application is complete and accurate

Applications with missing documents or incorrect information can move outside the 20–30 business day range.

If INZ requests further information, the clock may pause until you respond.

Your immigration history can also affect timing.

For example, if you previously held another temporary visa such as a Working Holiday Visa, Essential Skills Work Visa, or Specific Purpose Work Visa, INZ may review your past compliance.

If you plan to transition later to a Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa, understand that residence processing follows a separate assessment and timeline.

Always check current processing times directly with Immigration New Zealand (INZ) before making travel or employment commitments.

You take full responsibility for your Post-Study Work Visa application, even if someone assists you.

Errors, missing documents, or an expired visa can place your status at risk while Immigration New Zealand (INZ) processes your case.

Filing through INZ and system notes

You file your Post-Study Work Visa directly with Immigration New Zealand (INZ).

Submitting the application does not guarantee approval.

If you struggle with online filing, document uploads, or required forms such as Form INZ 1017 or Form INZ 1015, consider professional guidance before you submit.

Mistakes at the filing stage often lead to delays or declined applications.

Pay close attention to:

• Maintaining a valid visa while INZ processes your application
• Completing every required section of the form
• Uploading all supporting documents before submission
• Following the official INZ instructions exactly

Failure to keep lawful status while waiting for a decision can create serious complications.

If you feel unsure about any of these points, seek help before you click submit.

Situations that are complex

Some applicants face added complexity because of their immigration history.

You should seek advice if you previously held a Working Holiday Visa, Essential Skills Work Visa, or Specific Purpose Work Visa, and your status changed more than once.

You should also get help if:

• Your Student Visa is close to expiring
• You are considering switching to the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa later
• You have concerns about maintaining lawful status
• INZ has previously raised questions about your eligibility

Multiple visa transitions increase the risk of filing errors.

A professional can review your timeline and confirm you apply under the correct category.

Do not assume that past approvals guarantee future ones.

Each application stands on its own.

Practical expert tips

Prepare every required document before you start your online application. Gathering documents later makes it easier to miss deadlines or submit something incomplete.

Review the INZ instructions closely and match each requirement to a document in your file. Make a checklist:

1. Confirm your current visa validity

2. Complete the correct form (such as INZ 1017 or INZ 1015, if applicable)

3. Upload all required supporting evidence

4. Double-check entries before final submission

If you can't clearly answer how you meet each requirement, pause and get advice. It's easier to act early than to fix preventable mistakes later.

After your Post-Study Work Visa, you can move into another temporary visa or apply for residence if you meet the criteria. Your next step depends on your job, employer, qualifications, and long-term plans in New Zealand.

Common next visa steps

You may shift from a Post-Study Work Visa to another work or residence class visa through Immigration New Zealand (INZ). Your eligibility depends on your employment and whether you meet the specific visa requirements at the time you apply.

Common pathways include:

• Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa
• Essential Skills Work Visa
• Specific Purpose Work Visa
• Working Holiday Visa (if you meet age and nationality rules)

If you plan to apply for residence, you must meet the criteria set by INZ for the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa. INZ assesses your qualifications, work experience, and job details under current policy.

If your role doesn't support residence yet, you may apply for another temporary work visa such as an Essential Skills Work Visa. A Specific Purpose Work Visa may fit short-term or project-based roles.

You must submit the correct application forms required by INZ, such as Form INZ 1015 or Form INZ 1017, depending on the visa category.

How this visa fits the pathway

A Post-Study Work Visa lets you gain New Zealand work experience after you finish your qualification under a Student Visa. That experience can support future residence or employer-sponsored applications.

You use this period to secure skilled employment and meet criteria that INZ applies to residence categories. If you qualify under the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa, you can move from temporary to resident status.

If you don't yet qualify for residence, you may stay on another temporary visa while building experience. Each application requires separate approval from INZ.

Your pathway usually looks like this:

1. Student Visa

2. Post-Study Work Visa

3. Temporary work visa or Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa

Residence (if approved)

You must always apply before your current visa expires. INZ makes all final decisions, and you must meet the requirements in place at the time of application.

To qualify for a New Zealand Post-Study Work Visa, you must meet education, financial, health, and character standards set by Immigration New Zealand (INZ). You need to show you completed an approved qualification in New Zealand, have enough funds, and meet medical and character checks.

Study completion and approved qualifications

You must have recently completed your studies in New Zealand.

Your qualification must be an approved qualification, and you need to have finished it before you apply. INZ checks whether your completed program meets its approval criteria.

You should be ready to provide evidence of:

• Completion of your course of study
• The qualification awarded
• Confirmation that the qualification is approved

This visa category is for graduates of New Zealand study programs. It doesn't work like a Working Holiday Visa, Essential Skills Work Visa, or Specific Purpose Work Visa, which have different eligibility frameworks.

INZ makes all decisions on whether your qualification meets the required standard.

Financial and health/character requirements

You must show that you have at least NZD $5,000 available to support yourself.

This covers your basic living costs when you start your time on this visa. You need to prove the funds are genuinely available to you.

You must also meet INZ health and character requirements. This means you may need to submit:

• A medical certificate (if requested by INZ)
• A police certificate or other character documents

INZ may require forms such as Form INZ 1017 (medical certificate) or Form INZ 1015 (character requirements) if they apply to your situation. Follow the document instructions issued by INZ.

INZ will not approve your application unless you meet both the financial threshold and the health and character standards.

Basic filing eligibility

You must apply directly to Immigration New Zealand (INZ).

You need to:

1. Confirm you have completed an approved New Zealand qualification.

2. Ensure you hold at least NZD $5,000 for living costs.

3. Meet all health and character requirements.

INZ handles all visa applications and makes the final decision on your eligibility.

This visa can be part of a longer-term immigration strategy, including possible pathways such as the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa, but you must first satisfy the core post-study eligibility criteria.