The industry watched with bated breath as NZ announced changes to its post-study work system in mid-2018. When the new regulations were announced, it was revealed that New Zealand had leapfrogged other competitor countries by adopting the second most generous provision in the industry – and eliminated employer-sponsored visas to combat exploitation.

Study permits 

• For courses up to six months, students can enter NZ on a visitors’ visa and stay up to nine months;
• Students holding an offer from an approved education provider for a course more than six months in length can apply for a Student Visa and stay for up to four years;

Work rights during a course 

• Tertiary students can work up to 20 hours a week and full time on vacations and breaks;
• English language students can work part-time (20 hours a week) if their course is at least six weeks long and they meet certain eligibility criteria;
• No restrictions on the working hours of master’s by research students and PhD candidates;

Post-study work 

• Graduates from NZQF level 4 and above can apply for a three-year post-study work visa to work for any employer in any job – no sponsorship required;
• Graduates at levels four to six must have studied for at least 60 weeks for a one-year visa;
• Graduates at level seven and above must have studied for 30 weeks for a three-year visa;
• No post-study work pathway for English language students.