Changes to Post Study Work Rights - from 26th November

​Changes to post-study work rights have been made to ensure post-study immigration pathways for international students are fit-for-purpose and to reduce the likelihood of exploitation, while minimizing losses of genuine students.

The changes are as follows:

• The Employer-Assisted Post-Study work visa has been removed.
• A three-year post-study open work visa is available for bachelor’s degree or above qualifications.
• A one-year post-study open work visa is available for students studying New Zealand Qualification Framework level 4 to 6 and non-degree level 7 qualifications, with an additional year available for Graduate Diploma students whose qualification and work is needed for registration with a professional or trade body.
• A time-bound, two-year post-study open work visa is available for students studying level 4 to 6 and non-degree level 7 qualifications outside Auckland (study must be completed by the end of 2021).

Transitional provisions
To ensure no current tertiary students and post-study work visa holders are disadvantaged by the changes, the following transitional provisions have also been introduced:

• Students who held a student visa or were in the process of applying for a student visa to study towards an eligible qualification as at 8 August 2018 will be able to apply for: o a three-year post-study open work visa on completion of their qualification(s) o a two-year post study open work visa if they have previously held a one year open post study work visa, on completion of their qualification(s)
• Holders of a one year post-study work visa Post Study Work Visa will be eligible to apply for a further two-year open post-study work visa.
• Holders of a Post-Study Work Visa-Employer Assisted can apply to vary their visa conditions to remove the occupation, employer and location.

Work visa eligibility for partners of students

• People studying level 8 qualifications will need to study a qualification listed in an area on the Long Term Skills Shortage List to be eligible to support their partner for an open work visa.

Extend Work Visa

Remove Employer

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