New Zealand expands post-study work opportunities for international
New Zealand is set to launch a Short Term Graduate Work Visa in late 2026, which will offer open work rights for six months to graduates who do not qualify for the Post Study Work Visa. This…
Key highlights:
• In late 2026, a new short-term visa class will launch and the Post Study Work Visa will be available to those with graduate diplomas
• New Zealand is steadily making progress on its International Education Going for Growth strategy launched in July 2025 Update for 29 May 2026: _New Zealand Immigration has confirmed that the provisions described below – the new Short Term Graduate Work Visa and the extended eligibility for the Post Study Work Visa – will be available from 16 November 2026._ In late 2026, New Zealand is rolling out a new Short Term Graduate Work Visa and extending eligibility for the Post Study Work Visa. No set date for the launch of these new visa provisions has been established. New Zealand's international education strategy favours managed growth over the next few years. The plan is to grow student enrolments from 83,400 in 2024 to 105,000 in 2027 and 119,000 by 2034.
Between January and August of 2025, New Zealand institutions hosted 85,535 international students (+14% over the same period in 2024). This number was already higher than the full-year total in 2024, and all sub-sectors experienced growth. Generous work rights are part of New Zealand's strategy to increase its attractiveness to international students. ## New work visa: The Short Term Graduate Work Visa The Short Term Graduate Work Visa is for students who are not eligible for the Post Study Work Visa.
It will provide 6 months of open work rights, “allowing time to look for work and, where appropriate, transition to an Accredited Employer Work Visa.” To be eligible, applicants must hold a qualification at NZQCF at level 5–7 (i.e., certificate/diploma to bachelor’s degree) that was studied full time for at least 24 weeks in New Zealand and that does not make them eligible for a Post Study Work Visa. That qualification cannot have been an English language, foundation, or bridging qualification. Short Term Graduate Work Visa holders will not be able to support family for a work or dependent child student visa. However, says New Zealand Immigration:
Source: monitor.icef.com