Park Legal Immigration Lawyers

Immigration Law

Study to Work category

Study to Work category offers you the opportunity to apply for a work visa if you finished studying in New Zealand and you want to stay and work after your studies.

Post-study work visa (open)

If you are a student who has completed a qualification or qualifications in New Zealand, but you do not have a job offer, you may be eligible for a Post-study work visa - open for a maximum of 12 months. Then, when you have found a job, you can apply for a further visa for up to two or three years under the Study to Work category.

To be eligible for a Post-study work visa (open) you must:
  • have successfully completed a qualification in New Zealand that meets the study to work qualification requirements
  • apply no later than three months (six months if you have completed a doctoral qualification) after the end date of the student visa for that qualification
  • provide evidence of a minimum of NZ$4,200 available to maintain yourself during your 12-month stay in New Zealand (we will accept traveller's cheques or bank documents in your name).

Post-study work visa (employer assisted)

If you are a student with an offer of employment relevant to your qualification, you may be eligible for a work visa and for a maximum period of:

  • two years; or
  • three years, if you are working towards obtaining a membership or registration from a New Zealand professional association which requires more than two years of relevant practical work experience.
  • provide evidence of a minimum of NZ$4,200 available to maintain yourself during your 12-month stay in New Zealand (we will accept traveller's cheques or bank documents in your name).
You will need to provide evidence:
  • of the relevance of your job offer to your qualification, and
  • that you have successfully completed a qualification or qualifications in New Zealand that meets the Study to Work qualification requirements.

If you are applying for a three-year work visa because you are working towards obtaining a membership or registration from a New Zealand professional association (such as the New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants or the New Zealand Registered Architects Board), you need to provide us with more evidence.

  • You must show that you need membership or registration to fully perform your professional duties.
  • You must show that the employment is considered relevant practical experience by the professional association. Evidence might include documentation from the professional association, or from the employer, which says how the employment meets the association’s requirements.
  • You must show that your New Zealand qualification meets the requirements for registration or membership of the professional association.

Your application for a work visa must be made no later than three months (six months if you have completed a doctoral qualification) after the end date of your student visa for that programme of study or qualification, unless you hold a Post-study work visa (open).


Study to Work qualification requirements

You must have successfully completed a New Zealand qualification or qualifications that would qualify for points under the Skilled Migrant Category (see SM14) and is:

  • a qualification at level 7 or above on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework (NZQF) and you have studied that qualification in New Zealand for at least 30 weeks (excluding holiday periods) ; or
  • a two year qualification at level 4 to 6 on the NZQF and you have studied that qualification in New Zealand for at least 60 weeks (excluding holiday periods) ; or
  • two qualifications at levels 4 to 6 on the NZQF that each require at least 30 weeks study in New Zealand, provided the second qualification is at a higher level (60 weeks study in New Zealand in total excluding holiday periods).
Students who have obtained a National Certificate, National Diploma, New Zealand Diploma or a New Zealand Institute of Management qualification

Please note that some students who have studied a National Certificate, National Diploma, New Zealand Diploma or a New Zealand Institute of Management qualification have been providing the incorrect qualification certificates with their applications.

  • The New Zealand Diploma in Business (correct qualification certificate = NZQA certificate)
  • All National Diplomas, at all levels (correct qualification certificate = NZQA certificate)
  • All National Certificates (correct qualification certificate = NZQA certificate)
  • The New Zealand Institute of Management Diplomas (correct qualification certificate = New Zealand Institute of Management certificate).
Page Last Updated: 8 Oct 2015


Wish to know if you are eligible for Study To Work Category Visa?

Once you successfully submit the questionnaire form you will be asked for the payment of our service for Detailed assessment. Upon the payment is completed we will be able to start review your case and prepare the report. The report will be sent to you by email.

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Auckland, New Zealand
Phone: +64 9 475 5027
Fax: +64 9 475 5054
Email: info@parklegal.co.nz

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