WD3.1 Determining a Post-Study work visa (07/09/2022)

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

1. they hold:
   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 Honours or a Post-Graduate Diploma qualification 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 and time spent repeating failed components.

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. People who are applying as a secondary school teacher for a specialty subject (as outlined in column one of the Qualifications Eligible for a Post-Study Work Visa list in Appendix 13) must provide a declaration or a letter from their education provider confirming that they hold a Bachelor’s degree for that subject, or have the skills to teach in a Pacific language.
3. 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 07/09/2022