New Zealand Graduate Work Visa 2026: Eligibility, NZD 5,000 and How to Apply

New Zealand will open a new six-month work visa for some international graduates on 16 November 2026. The Short-Term Graduate Work Visa is designed for people whose New Zealand qualification does not qualify them for the longer Post-Study Work Visa. It gives eligible graduates time to work while they look for a job and consider a longer-term visa.

This is a limited bridge, not an automatic right to stay after study. The application page currently says the visa is closed; applicants cannot apply before the opening date. The rules also exclude graduates who already qualify for a Post-Study Work Visa.

What the new visa allows

A successful applicant can stay and work in New Zealand for up to six months. The visa allows work in any job for any employer, provided the work is under an employment agreement or contract for services and meets New Zealand law. It does not allow the holder to operate a business as an owner or provide commercial sexual services. The visa permits study for up to three months in any 12-month period.

The visa is available only once. It cannot be extended, and a holder cannot apply for a second Short-Term Graduate Work Visa. Anyone who wants to remain after it expires must qualify for and obtain another visa before that expiry date.

Who may qualify

Applicants must have successfully completed an eligible New Zealand qualification at NZQCF level 5 to 7, studied full-time in New Zealand for at least 24 weeks. English-language, foundation, bridging and micro-credential programmes do not qualify. A qualification that makes the graduate eligible for a Post-Study Work Visa is also excluded. If the qualification recorded on the student visa was not completed, Immigration New Zealand says it will not approve this application.

The 24 weeks refer to qualifying study time. Main holiday periods, repeated papers or units that were not passed on the first attempt, and study in a different qualification using transferred credits or recognised prior learning do not count towards the minimum. Applicants should check their provider’s completion letter and transcript against the official visa criteria before relying on a course.

The applicant must also have held a valid New Zealand student visa within the three months before applying, have at least NZD 5,000 available for living costs, meet health, character and genuine-intention requirements, and not previously have held either this visa or a Post-Study Work Visa. A recent bank statement in the applicant’s name can show the funds; Immigration New Zealand says screenshots are not accepted. Health examinations or a chest X-ray may be requested. Police certificates may be needed depending on age and total time spent in New Zealand.

Graduates whose studies were supported by the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship Programme need written approval from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade or Education New Zealand. Partners and dependent children cannot be included in the work visa application. The visa holder may support visitor visa applications for family, but cannot support a partner’s work visa or a dependent child’s student visa on the basis of this visa.

How it compares with the Post-Study Work Visa

The Short-Term Graduate Work Visa is for eligible graduates who do not qualify for the Post-Study Work Visa. The latter can allow up to three years in New Zealand, depending on the qualification and study history, and has its own qualification rules. Graduates who qualify for that route should compare it first rather than choosing the six-month visa. Use Immigration New Zealand’s Post-Study Work Visa requirements to check the qualification and timing rules.

The new visa is open-work permission for a short period, so a job offer is not listed as an eligibility condition. It can help a graduate look for work, but it does not guarantee a job or a later Accredited Employer Work Visa. A later work visa requires its own eligibility and application process.

When and how to apply

1. Check whether your qualification fits. Compare the qualification, study duration and exclusions with the official Short-Term Graduate Work Visa criteria. If your qualification may qualify for the longer route, check the Post-Study Work Visa criteria as well.
2. Check the three-month window against your student visa expiry. The application must be made no more than three months after the end date of the student visa for the qualification. Immigration New Zealand gives the example that a student visa expiring before 16 August 2026 is too early for an application when this visa opens on 16 November. You must keep lawful status in New Zealand while any application is considered.
3. Prepare the evidence. Arrange a passport or acceptable photo, qualification certificate, academic transcript or provider letter, and a recent bank statement showing at least NZD 5,000. Review the official document and health guidance, and allow time for any police certificate or certified translation that applies to you.
4. Apply from 16 November 2026. Applications are not open yet. The official visa page currently shows “Closed” and states that applications can begin on 16 November. On or after that date, start from the visa application page and follow its application link into Immigration Online portal (see the official system guide). Do not treat the information page as an application form or submit through an unofficial agent.

Immigration New Zealand’s public visa page does not currently state a fee for this new route. Check the official application page and payment amount when applications open before submitting. The visa page is the place to confirm any updated requirements or processing information.

What graduates should do now

Check your student visa expiry date and obtain written confirmation of your qualification and full-time study period from your education provider. If you may qualify for a Post-Study Work Visa, assess that route before using the six-month option. Keep the NZD 5,000 evidence in an acceptable form, and review the visa page again on 16 November because the online application is not available yet.

For broader context on New Zealand student entry, study costs and in-study work rules, read our New Zealand student visa guide. Always check the conditions on your own eVisa and the official immigration pages before making work or travel plans.