Study before you work in New Zealand
Changes to New Zealand's immigration policies have made it easier for international students to take advantage of employment opportunities in New Zealand upon completion of their studies.
Study for three years, then work
Under Immigration New Zealand's Study to Work policy, international students who successfully complete at least three years of study in New Zealand may be eligible for a work visa and/or permit for up to three years following completion of their studies.
If you are offered a job relevant to your recent New Zealand qualification you can apply for a two-year work permit. Eligibility for the permit depends upon the whether your job qualifies for points under the Skilled Migrant Category of the New Zealand Immigration Residence Policy.
If the purpose of your employment in New Zealand is to meet the requirements for membership or registration within a professional association (i.e. the New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants) you are eligible for a three year work permit provided that:
- Membership or registration of an association is required in your field of employment
- The professional association or your employer can verify that your employment meets the requirements for registration or membership of the professional association
- Your New Zealand qualification meets the requirements for registration or membership in the professional association
When can I apply?
You will need to apply for a work visa and/or permit within three months of expiry date of your student permit for the related course or qualification.
If you are not offered a job after completing your qualification in New Zealand, you may be eligible for a Graduate Job Search work visa and/or permit. This permit is valid for up to 12 months. After securing a job, you can apply for a working permit for either two or three years, provided you meet the requirements of the Study to Work policy outlined above.
Eligibility for the Graduate Job Search work visa is dependent on you completing a New Zealand qualification in a field of work qualifying for points under the Skilled Migrant Category of the New Zealand immigration Residence Policy.
How to apply
You will need to complete a Work Visa/Permit Application (INZ 1015). Immigration New Zealand also offers a downloadable Work Visa/Permit Guide (INZ 1016) to aid you during the application process.
In addition to supplying your completed application form, you will also need to include the correct fee, your passport (valid for a minimum of three months after the date you plan to leave New Zealand), and a recent passport sized photograph attached to your application form where indicated.
If you plan to work for more than a year, you must provide a completed medical and chest x-ray certificate. If planning to work for more than six months but less than one year, you are required to supply only a completed temporary entry x-ray certificate. Applicants wanting to work in New Zealand for two years or more must also provide a police certificate that is less than six months old from your country of citizenship and any country in which you have lived for five or more years since reaching 17 years of age.
I have a job offer
If you have a job offer relevant to your qualification, you must also supply the Employer Supplementary Form (NZIS 1131).
You must also provide evidence that you have completed a qualification that would qualify for points under the Skilled Migrant Category or evidence that you have successfully completed a course in New Zealand that took a minimum of three full-time years of study to complete.
I do not have a job offer
Without a job offer, you will need to apply for the Graduate Job Search work visa and/or permit, that if granted will be valid for up to 12 months.
You must provide evidence that you have successfully completed a qualification in New Zealand that would qualify for points under the Skilled Migrant Category, evidence that your application for a work permit has been lodged no later than three months after the end date of the student permit for that qualification, and evidence of a minimum of NZ$2100 to maintain yourself during your 12-month stay in New Zealand.
