New Zealand visa: From 2025, new standards will apply to post-study work visa applicants. Check out all the details

The New Zealand Post Study Work Visa (PSWV) allows students to stay and work for up to three years, depending on their qualifications. Recent changes to the PSWV regulations ensure that students completing a master’s degree after completing a Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) do not lose their entitlement to the Post Study Work Visa.

Previously, students who completed a 30-week postgraduate diploma and progressed immediately to a master’s degree (without completing the 30-week master’s program requirement) were not eligible for the PSWV. From now on, such students can apply for the PSWV based on their matriculation.

Applicants must hold an eligible New Zealand qualification, have studied full-time in New Zealand for the minimum required period and apply within the specified timeframe to qualify for a PSWV.

If a student completes a qualification suitable for the PSWV and immediately seeks a higher qualification that is not eligible for the visa (e.g. due to insufficient length of study), they can still apply for a PSWV within 12 months of completing their student visa for the initial qualification.

These changes offer students more flexibility in their course of study and ensure that they remain able to work even after completing their qualification.

For those pursuing a three-year PSWV, a minimum of 30 weeks of full-time study in New Zealand is required as part of the Master’s degree.

New qualification list:

• PSWV applicants seeking a teaching position in secondary schools no longer need a bachelor’s degree with a focus on science, mathematics, technology or Pacific languages.

• The New Zealand Diploma in Engineering (Level 6) with a major in Mechanical Engineering has been added to the list, making mechanical engineering technicians eligible for the PSWV.

New Zealand has become a sought-after destination for international students, tourists and workers. New Zealand reportedly saw a 69,000 year-on-year increase in international student enrollments in 2023. China remains the largest contributor with 35 percent of enrollments, followed by India at 17 percent.

There has also been a significant increase in applications for tourism and work visas from India. Immigration New Zealand said 115,008 visas were issued to Indian nationals in 2023, a significant increase from 83,583 in 2019, before the Covid-19 pandemic. However, the data also shows that Indian nationals face a rejection rate of 28 percent, which is the second highest figure after Pakistan, where 71 percent of visa applications were rejected.