Work after graduating in New Zealand

If you are studying in New Zealand and you want to stay and work here after you have completed your studies, you may be eligible for a work visa under our Study to Work category.

Graduate Job Search Visa

If you are a student who has completed a qualification or qualifications in New Zealand, but you do not have a job offer, you may be eligible for a Graduate Job Search Work Visa for a maximum of 12 months. Then, when you have found a job, you can apply for a further visa for up to two or three years under the Study to Work category.

To be eligible for a Graduate Work Search Visa you must:

• have successfully completed a qualification in New Zealand that meets the study to work qualification requirements
• apply no later than three months (six months if you have completed a doctoral qualification) after the end date of the student visa for that qualification
• provide evidence of a minimum of NZ$ 4,200 available to maintain yourself during your 12-month stay in New Zealand (we will accept traveller's cheques or bank documents in your name).

Study to Work qualification requirements

You must have successfully completed a New Zealand qualification or qualifications that would qualify for points under the Skilled Migrant Category and is:

• a qualification at level 7 or above on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework (NZQF) and you have studied that qualification in New Zealand for at least 30 weeks (excluding holiday periods) ; or 
• a two year qualification at level 4 to 6 on the NZQF and you have studied that qualification in New Zealand for at least 60 weeks (excluding holiday periods) ; or
• two qualifications at levels 4 to 6 on the NZQF that each require at least 30 weeks study in New Zealand, provided the second qualification is at a higher level (60 weeks study in New Zealand in total excluding holiday periods).

More information via info@studynewzealand.eu or check out the Immigration New Zealand web site.