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New Graduate Work Visa and Post-Study Work Visa Changes Announced

16/3/2026

New Zealand has announced upcoming changes to its graduate work visa settings, including the introduction of a Short Term Graduate Work Visa and an expansion of Post Study Work Visa (PSWV) eligibility. These changes are expected to take effect from late 2026 and are designed to better align international graduates with the country’s workforce needs.

As an immigration advisory firm, Immigration Trust is sharing this information for public awareness following the recent announcement.

New Short Term Graduate Work Visa
A new Short Term Graduate Work Visa will allow eligible international graduates who studied in New Zealand to remain in the country for up to 6 months with open work rights.

The purpose of this visa is to give graduates time to look for employment and potentially transition to an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV).

Key eligibility requirements
Applicants must:

Qualify for NZQCF Level 5–7
Have studied full-time in New Zealand for at least 24 weeks
Apply within 3 months after their student visa expires
Show at least NZD $5,000 in available funds
Not have previously been granted a Short Term Graduate Work Visa or Post Study Work Visa

The qualification must not be an English language, foundation, or bridging programme, and it must also not already make the graduate eligible for a Post Study Work Visa.

Important conditions
Short Term Graduate Work Visa holders:

Must work under an employment agreement or contract
Cannot operate their own business
Cannot support partners or children for work or student visas under this visa category
Cannot extend the visa or apply for a second one

Post Study Work Visa Eligibility Expanded
From late 2026, eligibility for a Post Study Work Visa will expand to include graduates who complete a Graduate Diploma at NZQCF Level 7, provided they also hold a bachelor’s degree.

The bachelor’s degree may be obtained in New Zealand or overseas, and there is no time limit on when the degree was awarded.

Additional requirements
Applicants must:

Have studied the Graduate Diploma full-time in New Zealand
Have been enrolled for the full duration of the programme
Provide their bachelor’s degree certificate and academic transcript

For overseas bachelor’s degrees, an International Qualification Assessment (IQA) is not required, although immigration authorities may still verify the authenticity of the qualification.

Visa duration
The Post Study Work Visa can be granted for the same length of time spent studying the Graduate Diploma in New Zealand, up to a maximum of 1 year.

Only one Post Study Work Visa can be granted during a person’s lifetime.

Unlike the Short Term Graduate Work Visa, PSWV holders may support partners and dependent children for appropriate visas if eligibility requirements are met.

Why These Changes Matter
These upcoming changes aim to:

Provide more flexibility for international graduates
Help graduates transition from study to employment
Ensure that graduate pathways are better aligned with New Zealand’s workforce needs

They also support the growth of the international education sector, while maintaining education quality and the country’s reputation as a destination for study and work.

Need Advice on Graduate Work Visa Options?
Graduate visa pathways can be complex, especially when transitioning from study to work in New Zealand. If you need guidance on your options, consider booking a consultation with our licensed immigration adviser.

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New Zealand Reduces Visitor Visa Fees for Pacific Travellers

12/3/2026

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From 1 June 2026, New Zealand will temporarily reduce the Visitor Visa fee for Pacific Islands Forum country nationals. The total cost will drop from $216 to $161 (including the $41 immigration levy). The reduced fee will apply for 12 months and is available only to applicants applying from outside New Zealand.

The discounted fee applies to visitors from:

American Samoa
Federated States of Micronesia
Fiji
Kiribati
Nauru
Palau
Papua New Guinea
Republic of the Marshall Islands
Samoa
Solomon Islands
Tonga
Tuvalu
Vanuatu

This reduction does not apply to Parent Boost Visitor Visas or Group Visitor Visas.

Pacific visitors already pay lower visa fees than most other visa-required nationalities and do not need to pay the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL). By comparison, the total visitor visa cost for many other nationalities is $441.

The change is part of wider efforts to improve travel access for Pacific communities, alongside longer visa durations and a trial visa-free pathway for Pacific visitors travelling from Australia. The 12-month reduction will allow the government to assess the impact before deciding on any long-term changes.

If you need help preparing a New Zealand visitor visa application, you may consider booking a consultation with us.

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Skilled Migrant Category Changes: New Pathways Coming in August 2026

9/3/2026

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The New Zealand Government has released further details about upcoming Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) changes that will take effect in late August 2026. These reforms introduce new residence pathways and clarify several requirements for migrants planning to apply for residence in New Zealand.

This update is shared for public information purposes. We are not Immigration New Zealand; we are a licensed immigration advisory firm providing general updates to help migrants stay informed.

Two New Residence Pathways
As previously announced, the Government will introduce two new pathways under the Skilled Migrant Category:

1. Skilled Work Experience Pathway
This pathway focuses on migrants who have built significant skilled work experience in New Zealand.
2. Trades and Technician Pathway
This pathway is designed for workers in technical and trade occupations who meet specific qualification and work experience requirements.

These new options aim to recognise migrants who contribute to New Zealand’s workforce through skilled employment and practical industry experience.

Three Key Occupation Lists Introduced
The Government has also released three important occupation lists that determine which pathway migrants may use.

Trades and Technician Pathway List
Migrants working in occupations on this list may qualify if they:

Hold a relevant Level 4 qualification or higher, and
Have 4 years of directly relevant skilled work experience after completing the qualification, including
At least 1.5 years of skilled work experience in New Zealand, earning the SMC median wage.

Amber List
Migrants working in occupations on this list cannot use the Trades and Technician Pathway. They may apply under the Skilled Work Experience Pathway, but only if they have:

At least 5 years of relevant work experience in New Zealand, including
2 years of skilled work experience earning at least 1.2 times the SMC median wage.

Red List
Migrants in occupations on this list cannot use the new pathways. Instead, they must apply using the existing points-based Skilled Migrant Category system, requiring 6 points. These points may come from:

Earning 1.5 times the SMC median wage,
Holding a Level 7 bachelor’s degree or higher, or
Having a recognised occupational registration,
along with the required New Zealand skilled work experience.

Other Changes Applying to All SMC Pathways
Several policy adjustments will apply to all Skilled Migrant Category pathways from late August 2026.

Simplified median wage requirements
Migrants applying based on skilled work experience will not need to meet the current median wage at the time they apply. Instead, the relevant wage threshold will be based on the median wage that applied when they began their skilled work experience in New Zealand.

Grace period for wage calculations
If a migrant begins skilled work experience within 5 months of receiving their work visa, the wage threshold used will be the one in effect when the visa was granted, even if the median wage increases later.

Clarification for higher qualifications
Applicants claiming points for Level 8 or Level 9 qualifications must also hold a bachelor’s degree (from any country). However, applicants claiming 5 points for a New Zealand Level 9 master’s degree will be exempt from this requirement.

Longer English test validity
English language test results will be valid for 5 years for migrants who hold a valid occupational registration.

New occupational registration recognised
Qualified Statutory Accountants in New Zealand who are members of Certified Practising Accountants Australia will now be eligible to claim 6 SMC points.

Additional Work Visa Option from 2027
Starting in 2027, migrants who still need up to 12 more months of skilled work experience to meet residence requirements will be able to apply for another Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) to complete the experience needed before applying for residence.

What These Changes Mean for Migrants
These reforms aim to better recognise skilled work experience in New Zealand and provide clearer pathways for tradespeople, technicians, and experienced workers. However, eligibility will depend heavily on occupation lists, wage thresholds, and work experience requirements.

Migrants planning their long-term pathway to residence should carefully review how these changes may affect their eligibility.

If you would like guidance on how the upcoming Skilled Migrant Category changes may affect your situation, you may consider booking a consultation with our licensed immigration adviser by clicking on the below buttons:

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INZ Hub:INZ Updates​ & ​Visa FAQs

New Graduate Work Visa and Post-Study Work Visa Changes Announced

New Zealand Reduces Visitor Visa Fees for Pacific Travellers

Skilled Migrant Category Changes: New Pathways Coming in August 2026

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INZ Updates & Visa FAQs