New Zealand will introduce a new Short-Term Graduate Work Visa on November 16, 2026, giving eligible international graduates the opportunity to remain in the country and work for up to six months after completing their studies.

The new visa is aimed at graduates who have completed eligible qualifications in New Zealand but do not meet the requirements for the existing Post-Study Work Visa. Immigration New Zealand said the pathway will give graduates additional time to find employment and potentially transition to a longer-term work visa.

Open Work Rights Without a Job Offer

The Short-Term Graduate Work Visa will provide open work rights, allowing eligible graduates to work for any employer in New Zealand. Applicants will not need to secure a job offer before applying.

However, the visa will not be available to all international students. Applicants must have completed an eligible New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF) Level 5, 6 or 7 qualification in New Zealand.

The qualification must have been studied full-time for at least 24 weeks in New Zealand and must not already qualify the graduate for a Post-Study Work Visa. English-language courses, foundation programmes and bridging qualifications are excluded.

Applicants must also demonstrate that they have at least NZ$5,000 available to support themselves and meet New Zealand’s health and character requirements.

Strict Application Deadline

Graduates will need to apply within three months of their New Zealand student visa expiring. The Short-Term Graduate Work Visa can only be granted once and cannot be extended or renewed.

The visa is intended as a temporary bridge rather than a long-term work route. During the six-month period, graduates can seek employment and, if they meet the requirements, transition to another visa, such as the Accredited Employer Work Visa.

Visa holders will not be permitted to own or operate a business. Their work must be carried out under an employment agreement or a contract for services.

New Opportunity for Bachelor’s Degree Holders

Alongside the new six-month visa, New Zealand is also expanding eligibility for its existing Post-Study Work Visa.

From November 16, graduates who complete an eligible Level 7 Graduate Diploma in New Zealand may qualify for the Post-Study Work Visa if they also hold a bachelor’s degree. The bachelor’s degree can be earned either in New Zealand or overseas.

This could benefit international students who already hold an undergraduate degree in their home country. For example, an Indian student with a bachelor’s degree from India who completes an eligible Level 7 Graduate Diploma in New Zealand could qualify, provided all other requirements are satisfied.

The Graduate Diploma must be studied full-time in New Zealand for its entire duration. Credits gained through cross-crediting or recognition of prior learning will not count towards this requirement.

Post-Study Work Visa Offers Longer Options

The existing Post-Study Work Visa remains the more attractive option for graduates who qualify. Depending on their qualification, graduates may be able to remain and work in New Zealand for up to three years.

Eligible Level 8 postgraduate diploma graduates can receive up to one year of post-study work rights, while eligible master’s graduates can receive up to three years, subject to the required study conditions.

The changes are designed to strengthen New Zealand’s international education sector while aligning graduate pathways more closely with the country’s skills needs. For prospective international students, choosing the right qualification could therefore have a significant impact on their future work opportunities in New Zealand.