Post-Study Work Visa
The Post-Study Work Visa is a work visa for people who have just finished an approved qualification in New Zealand. Immigration New Zealand describes it this way: “Apply for this visa if you want to work in New Zealand soon after you have completed your studies here. It allows you to stay and work in New Zealand for up to 3 years, depending on what you studied.” It costs from NZD $1,670. INZ publishes a processing time of 80% within 4 weeks.
Checked against immigration.govt.nz on 2026-09-15
What Immigration New Zealand publishes
- Length of stay
- Up to
- 3 years
- Cost
- From
- NZD $1670
- Processing time
- 80% within
- 4 weeks
- Residence option
- Can lead to a resident visa
- Yes
Copied from the Post-Study Work Visa page at immigration.govt.nz on 2026-09-15. Figures change without notice.
To apply you must
- have recently finished studying in New Zealand for an approved qualification
- apply no later than 3, 6 or 12 months after your student visa expires, depending on what you studied and what visa you had
- have at least NZD $5,000 to pay your living expenses
- meet the other requirements of this visa.
INZ’s own wording, unedited.
This visa lets you
- stay and work in New Zealand for up to 3 years depending on your study
- work in New Zealand if you have a degree level 7 or higher qualification
- work for an employer in a job that meets our requirements if you have a non-degree level 7 or lower qualification
- support visas for your partner and dependent children — your partner can apply for a work visa and your children can apply for student visas to study as domestic students in New Zealand.
INZ’s own wording, unedited.
Where to apply
You apply to Immigration New Zealand, not to us. The Post-Study Work Visa page carries the application link, the full requirements and the current fee.
Questions about the Post-Study Work Visa
What does the Post-Study Work Visa cost?
Immigration New Zealand publishes a cost of NZD $1,670 for this visa, as the "from" figure — the lowest published amount. Medicals, police certificates, translations and any adviser's fee are separate. Checked on 2026-09-15; confirm on the INZ page.
How long does the Post-Study Work Visa take?
Immigration New Zealand publishes 80% within 4 weeks for this visa. That is a published average, not a promise about any one application. Checked on 2026-09-15; the current figure is on the INZ page.
Who can apply for the Post-Study Work Visa?
INZ's own summary is: "Apply for this visa if you want to work in New Zealand soon after you have completed your studies here. It allows you to stay and work in New Zealand for up to 3 years, depending on what you studied." The published criteria are listed above, word for word. Whether any particular person meets them is a question for Immigration New Zealand, or for a licensed immigration adviser or a New Zealand lawyer — not for this site.
Where do I apply?
On Immigration New Zealand's own website. Start at Post-Study Work Visa. Applying through this site is not possible: we are an information site and we cannot lodge or handle an application.
Can NZ Visas tell me whether I qualify?
No, and we would be breaking the law if we did. Under the Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007, telling somebody how the rules apply to their own immigration matter is licensed work. We republish the published rules and stop there. More on where that line sits.
Sources
Read on 2026-09-15. Immigration rules change: if this page and the source disagree, the source is right.
Once you have a decision
Getting the visa is one job; landing here is another. Our settling-in guides cover the IRD number, a bank account, a rental, schools, a doctor and a driver licence — all free, and all separate from anything to do with your visa.