New Zealand is making a major change to its post-study work visa policy for international students. The new rules will take effect on November 16, 2026, NDTV reports.
Under the new policy, a new visa called the ‘short-term graduate visa’ has been introduced for foreign students. Through this visa, students will be able to stay and work in New Zealand for up to six months after completing their studies.
To apply for this visa, a student must complete a full-time Level 5 to 7 course in New Zealand, lasting at least 24 weeks. They must also have at least NZ$5,000 in their bank account and apply within three months of their student visa expiring.
However, this visa does not allow starting a business or sponsoring family members, and it can be obtained only once in a lifetime.
The post-study work visa has also been expanded. Students who complete a Level 7 graduate diploma can now apply for a one-year work visa. To do so, however, the applicant must hold a bachelor’s degree, or their studies must be related to an occupation on New Zealand’s Green List.
The Green List is a list of occupations for which there is high demand for skilled workers in New Zealand.
Under the new rules, both the post-study work visa and the short-term graduate visa can be obtained only once. So students will need to choose their courses and plan their future carefully in advance.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report