Changes to New Zealand’s Post Study Work Visa (PSWV)

New Zealand’s Post Study Work Visa (PSWV) allows international students to stay and work in New Zealand for up to 3 years after completing their studies.

To apply, you must have completed an eligible qualification and have studied in New Zealand for a minimum length of time.

Immigration New Zealand recently announced changes being made to the PSWV category, to ensure students who complete a Master’s degree following a Postgraduate Diploma do not lose eligibility for a Post Study Work Visa.

Overview of the changes to the PSWV

Students who studied a Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) for 30 weeks and immediately progressed to a Master’s degree, but were not enrolled in the Masters for 30 weeks, are now eligible to apply for a Post Study Work visa (PSWV) based on their PGDip enrolment.

This will give students more flexibility in their course of study and ensure they can remain eligible to work following their qualification.

If a student has completed a qualification that is eligible for a PSWV then immediately completes a higher-level qualification (that is ineligible for PSWV, including because they did not study for the minimum duration), they will have 12 months from the end date of their student visa for the initial qualification to apply for a PSWV.

If a student wants a three-year PSWV, they need to complete at least 30 weeks of full-time study in New Zealand, enrolled in the Master’s degree itself.

To be eligible for a PSWV, applicants must hold an eligible New Zealand qualification that has been studied full-time in New Zealand for the required minimum duration and apply within the required timeframe.

Changes to the list of qualifications eligible for a PSWV

The following changes are being made to align the list of qualifications eligible for a PSWV with the Green List:

• PSWV applicants who qualify to teach at secondary school no longer require a Bachelor’s degree specialising in Science, Mathematics, Technology or Pacific Languages.
• Applicants who have completed graduate diplomas and meet the Teaching Council’s registration requirements are able to get a PSWV to work as a Primary or Intermediate school teacher.
• The New Zealand Diploma in Engineering (Level 6) with a strand in Mechanical Engineering has been added so Mechanical Engineering Technicians are eligible for a PSWV.

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