New Zealand to Launch Short-Term Graduate Work Visa for International Students

International students graduating from eligible programmes in New Zealand will soon have access to a new immigration pathway designed to give them time to find employment after completing their studies. Immigration New Zealand has announced that the new Short-Term Graduate Work Visa will open for applications on November 16, 2026. The new visa will provide eligible graduates with up to six months of open work rights. The purpose is to give graduates time to search for suitable employment and, where appropriate, move into another work visa pathway. The new visa is aimed at graduates who do not qualify for New Zealand’s existing Post-Study Work Visa. To qualify, applicants must have completed an eligible New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework qualification at Level 5 to 7. The qualification must have been studied full-time in New Zealand for at least 24 weeks. There are also financial requirements. Immigration New Zealand says applicants must have at least NZD5,000 available to support themselves. Applications must generally be submitted within three months of the applicant’s New Zealand student visa expiring. The new visa cannot be extended, and an individual can only receive one Short-Term Graduate Work Visa. The announcement adds another consideration for international students comparing study destinations. New Zealand already has a Post-Study Work Visa that can allow eligible graduates to remain for longer periods, depending on their qualification and circumstances. The new six-month pathway is therefore particularly relevant to students whose qualifications do not make them eligible for the longer post-study route. Students considering New Zealand should examine the qualification requirements before choosing a programme, especially if their long-term goal includes gaining work experience after graduation. The new system will begin on November 16, giving prospective and current international students time to understand the changes before applications open.