New Zealand Post Study Work Visa: Which Qualifications Give Up to 3 Years

TL;DR: How long is the New Zealand post study work visa, and who can get one? It gives open work rights for up to three years: three years after a master's or doctorate studied full-time in New Zealand for at least 30 weeks, and the time you studied, up to three years, after a bachelor's or Level 8 qualification. From 16 November 2026, a Level 7 Graduate Diploma also qualifies for up to one year if you already hold a bachelor's. You apply within three months of your student visa ending, and you can usually hold only one.

The course you pick decides what you can do the day after you finish. Two similar-looking qualifications can lead to three years of open work rights, one year, or none.

This guide covers what the visa lets you do, which qualifications count, how long each gives you, the deadlines and the one-visa rule, from Immigration New Zealand's (INZ) instructions taking effect on 16 November 2026. If you are applying from Sri Lanka, the local points are near the end.

Not sure which New Zealand course fits your background? Check your eligibility with Prosper.

What does the Post-Study Work Visa let you do?

For a bachelor's degree, a qualification at Level 8 to 10, or a Level 7 Graduate Diploma held alongside a bachelor's, INZ says the visa "may allow the holder to undertake any work, in any occupation and in any location." You do not need a job offer to apply. You need to show at least NZ$5,000 in funds to support yourself during your stay.

Self-employment is allowed, but INZ states that holders "are restricted from employing others", whether directly or through a business they own.

Which qualifications qualify, and how long do you get?

Read across from the qualification you are considering. "Open" means any work, any occupation, any location.

Three details in the table catch people out:

• Length follows study time. Below Level 9, a one-year Postgraduate Diploma gives about one year, not three.
• The weeks must be full-time in New Zealand. Holidays and repeated failed papers do not count.
• Credit transfer can break eligibility. INZ requires the minimum study to be done "without credit recognition or transfer from other credentials or qualifications".

Level numbers matter here. Our guide to New Zealand qualification levels explains what Level 7, 8 and 9 mean, and the one-year master's in New Zealand guide shows how credit size affects the 30-week rule.

Want a second opinion on whether your shortlisted course qualifies?

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What changes from 16 November 2026?

INZ's Amendment Circular 2026-24 adds a new eligible qualification from 16 November 2026: "a Graduate Diploma at level 7 on the NZQCF that has been studied full-time in New Zealand", provided the applicant "also holds a Bachelor's degree completed either in New Zealand or offshore."

• The visa length is the time spent studying the Graduate Diploma in New Zealand, "to a maximum of one year".
• Work conditions are open.
• INZ notes "there is no timeframe regarding when the Bachelor's degree was completed".

We cover the route in detail in Graduate Diploma in New Zealand: the new post-study work visa route.

When do you have to apply?

• Most qualifications: three months after your student visa ends.
• Doctoral degrees: six months.
• Bachelor's then a Graduate Diploma, Honours or Postgraduate Diploma on consecutive student visas: three months after the second student visa ends.
• An eligible qualification then a higher one that does not qualify: 12 months after the first student visa ends.

You must have completed the qualification. Doctoral students can instead show their thesis has been submitted for examination.

What is the one-visa rule?

INZ requires that applicants "have not previously been granted a Post-Study work visa." In practice, you get one, so order matters: the bachelor's plus postgraduate route in the table counts your total study time, up to three years, under one visa.

Bringing a partner? Their work rights while you study depend on your course, as our Partner of a Student Work Visa guide explains.

Applying from Sri Lanka

• For the Level 7 Graduate Diploma route, INZ asks for your bachelor's certificate and official transcript, and does not require an International Qualification Assessment for a degree completed outside New Zealand.
• If you hold an HND or diploma, ask the provider in writing whether credit will be applied, since credit transfer can affect eligibility.
• Prosper's Colombo team can check a course's NZQCF level and length against INZ's rules before you accept an offer.

Frequently asked questions

How long is the post study work visa in New Zealand?
Three years after a master's or doctorate. After a bachelor's or Level 8 qualification, your time studied in New Zealand, up to three years. A Level 7 Graduate Diploma gives up to one year.

Do I need a job offer to apply?
No. INZ states a job offer is not required, but you must show at least NZ$5,000 in funds.

Can I get a second Post-Study Work Visa after another qualification?
Generally no. The exception is some former holders of the new Short-term Graduate work visa who later complete an eligible qualification.

PS: Before accepting an offer, check the course's NZQCF level, its full-time length and any credit from earlier study. Check your eligibility with Prosper and we will check them against INZ's table with you.

Check your eligibility ›

Team Prosper

References

1. Amendment Circular No. 2026-24: amendments to the Immigration New Zealand Operational Manual (Post-Study Work Visa and Short-term Graduate work visa), Immigration New Zealand. https://www.immigration.govt.nz/assets/inz/documents/amendment-circulars/amendment-circular-2026-24.pdf (accessed 20 October 2026)