The New Zealand Post Study Work visa or PSW visa is for the students who have just completed their studies in NZ and wish to stay in the nation for the work purpose. For being able to apply for this psw visa, you need to have recognized qualification from the approved New Zealand Universities.
After the grant of this visa, you can work with any employer in New Zealand. The candidates need to meet the eligibility requirements to apply.
Post Study work visa is for those talented students who wish to stay back in New Zealand after completing their studies and work to eventually become a New Zealand resident. Depending on the course you choose, you are allowed to work in New Zealand for 1to 3 years, and eventually achieve residency.
Note :The New Zealand Post-Study Work Visa (open) is closed from 26th November 2018.
The Post study work visa open allows you to search a relevant job of your field related to you course for a period of 12 months. While searching you are allowed to work in any job in order to financially support your stay. It is closed now.
This visa allows you to stay in New Zealand and gain further work experience for a period of two years in the same relevant job you got employed under the same employer. You can no longer apply under this stream.
The changes have been made by the NZ Government for the overseas students and are going to take place from 26 November 2018.
The Post study work visa will come up with open work conditions. You can no longer access to employer assisted visa and there will be no linking to any employer. You don’t need to have employment offer to have a post study work visa.
The duration of visa will be completely based on the level of education you have attained and the place from where you have completed your qualification. The duration of open post study work visa will be for one, two or three years or till the time your visa is valid if you are the holder of employer assisted visa.
If you wish to apply for the post study work visa, check out the latest changes made by NZ government for the new applicants as well as for existing holders:
| If you are planning to study towards the following qualifications: | And | Then on successful completion of your qualification(s) you may be eligible for a: |
| Level 7 Bachelor’s degree qualification or higher | You study that qualification for at least 30 weeks in New Zealand | Three-year open post-study work visa |
| Level 7 Graduate Diploma | You study that qualification for at least 30 weeks in New Zealand | v One-year open post-study work visa, if you study in Auckland, and one additional year if you are working towards registration with a professional or trade body
v Two-year open post-study work visa, if you study outside Auckland (excluding distance learning)* |
| Other non-degree Level 7 qualification | You study that qualification for at least 30 weeks in New Zealand | One-year open post-study work visa, if you study in Auckland
v Two-year open post-study work visa, if you study outside Auckland (excluding distance learning)* |
| Other non-degree Level 7 qualification | You study that qualification for at least 30 weeks in New Zealand | v One-year open post-study work visa, if you study in Auckland
v Two-year open post-study work visa, if you study outside Auckland (excluding distance learning)* |
| One qualification at Level 4-6 of a two-year duration | You study that qualification for at least 60 weeks in New Zealand | v One-year open post-study work visa, if you study in Auckland
v Two-year open post-study work visa, if you study outside Auckland (excluding distance learning)* |
| Two qualifications at Levels 4-6 | You study each qualification for 30 weeks in New Zealand (60 weeks in total) and the second qualification is at a higher level than the first | v One-year open post-study work visa, if you study in Auckland
v Two-year open post-study work visa, if you study outside Auckland (excluding distance learning)* |
| If you’re are currently studying in NZ towards a: | And | Then on successful completion of your qualification(s) you may be eligible for a: |
| Level 7 Bachelor’s degree or above | You study that qualification for at least 30 weeks in New Zealand | Three-year open work visa |
| Non-degree Level 7 qualification | You study that qualification for at least 30 weeks in New Zealand | Three-year open work visa |
| One qualification at Level 4-6 | You study that qualification for at least 60 weeks in New Zealand | Three-year open work visa |
| Two qualifications at Levels 4-6 | You study each qualification for 30 weeks in New Zealand (60 weeks in total) and the second qualification is at a higher level than the first | Three-year open work visa |
| If you hold a: | Then from 26 November 2018, you may be eligible: |
| One-year open post-study work visa | For a further two-year open work visa |
| Two-year employer-assisted post-study work visa | To have the job and employer stated on your work visa removed, so you do not have to contact Immigration New Zealand if you change jobs or employers in the future. If you prefer, you can choose to keep your visa as it is. |
| Stream | 75 % of applications processed within | 90 % of applications processed within | 95 % of applications processed within |
| Post- study work visa (Employer-assisted) | 26 days | 48 days | 66 days |
| Post-study work visa (open) | 16 days | 46 days | 64 days |
The cost of post study work visa is NZ $ 298 and you can work for any employer in New Zealand and in any occupation.
Related: Check complete information about New Zealand Student Visa