WD3.1 Determining a Post-Study work visa

Applicants may be granted a post-study work visa if:

1. they hold an eligible qualification, which is a New Zealand qualification that has been studied for the minimum study duration as set out below:
   1. a qualification at level 8 to 10 on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework that has been studied full-time for at least 30 weeks in New Zealand; or
   2. a degree qualification at level 7 on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework that has been studied full-time for at least 30 weeks in New Zealand; or
   3. a qualification at level 4 to 7 on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework that is specified on the list of Qualifications Eligible for a Post-Study Work Visa (Appendix 13) that has been studied full-time in New Zealand for the full duration required to obtain that qualification; and
2. they apply:
   1. no later than 3 months after the end date of their student visa for that qualification(s); or
   2. no later than 6 months after the end date of their student visa if the qualification is a Doctoral degree; or
   3. within three months of the end date of their student visa for the second qualification(s), if they have completed a Bachelor’s degree immediately followed by an Honours or a Postgraduate Diploma qualification and held consecutive student visas (or interim visas with study conditions) for these qualifications; or
   4. within 12 months of the end date of their student visa for the initial qualification, if they have completed an eligible qualification as set out at (a) above immediately followed by completing a higher-level qualification that does not meet the requirements in (a), and held consecutive student visas (or interim visas with study conditions) for these qualifications; and
3. they have:
   1. successfully completed the qualification for which the student visa was granted; or
   2. despite the requirement in (a) above to hold the qualification, if they are a Doctoral student, they can instead provide evidence from their education provider that they have submitted their thesis for examination; and
4. they have written approval from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade as set out at U11.1(d) if their studies have been supported under the New Zealand scholarship programme administered by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade; and
5. they have NZ$5,000 in funds available to maintain themselves during their stay in New Zealand; and
6. they have not previously been granted a Post-Study work visa.

Note: Study weeks include exam preparation time and exclude holiday periods, time spent repeating failed components, and time spent studying a different qualification where the credits have been transferred to the qualification that has been completed.

WD3.1.1 Evidential requirements for an acceptable non-degree qualification at levels 4 to 7

1. Where applicable, evidence that a non-degree qualification at level 4 to 7 meets the knowledge requirements specified in the second column of Qualifications Eligible for a Post-Study Work Visa (Appendix 13) list includes:
   1. a declaration from the applicant confirming the course meets the knowledge requirements; or
   2. a letter from the education provider confirming the course meets the knowledge requirements.
2. An immigration officer may request further evidence if they are not satisfied that the qualification meets the requirements set out in the list of Qualifications Eligible for Post-Study Work Visa at Appendix 13.

Effective 18/11/2024