Post-study open work visa conditions and durations revised

Policy effect

From November 26, 2018, qualifying graduates could receive open post-study work visas permitting work for any employer, in any occupation and location, subject to the general conditions. A level 7 bachelor’s degree or level 8–10 qualification studied full-time for at least 30 weeks in New Zealand qualified for three years. Eligible lower-level and non-degree level 7 qualifications generally qualified for one year, or two years where qualifying study was completed entirely outside Auckland by December 31, 2021. Eligible Graduate Diploma holders working towards registration could obtain an additional year subject to the specified registration requirements. Transitional instructions provided longer entitlements for eligible existing students and visa holders; existing employer-assisted visa holders could apply to remove employer and occupation conditions.

Conditions and exceptions

Validated condition or limit: From November 26, 2018, qualifying graduates could receive open post-study work visas permitting work for any employer, in any occupation and location, subject to the general conditions.; A level 7 bachelor’s degree or level 8–10 qualification studied full-time for at least 30 weeks in New Zealand qualified for three years.; Eligible lower-level and non-degree level 7 qualifications generally qualified for one year, or two years where qualifying study was completed entirely outside Auckland by December 31, 2021.; Eligible Graduate Diploma holders working towards registration could obtain an additional year subject to the specified registration requirements.; Transitional instructions provided longer entitlements for eligible existing students and visa holders

Official source excerpt

Quoted verbatim from the official source below. Ellipses indicate omitted text.

| WD3.1 Determining and granting a Post-Study work visa (26/11/2018) WD3.1.1 Determining a Post-Study work visa application Applicants may be granted a work visa if: 1. they hold: 1. a qualification at level 7 to 10 on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework that has been studied full-time for at least 30 weeks in New Zealand; or 2. a single qualification at level 4 to 6 that has been studied full-time for at least 60 weeks in New Zealand; or 3. two qualifications at levels 4 to 6 that have been studied full-time for at least 60 weeks in New Zealand (including at least 30 weeks per qualificat … ion) and the second qualification is at a higher level than the first qualification; and 2. they apply no later than three months after the end date of their student visa for that programme of study or qualification(s) or, if the qualification was a Doctoral Degree, no later than six months after the end date of their student visa; and 3. they have successfully completed the qualification for which the student visa was granted; and 4. they have met the requirements set out at cite0†U11.1(d) if their studies have been supported under the New Zealand Aid Programme; and 5. they have NZ$4,200 i … n funds available to maintain themselves during their stay in New Zealand; and 6. they have not previously been granted a Post-Study work visa unless: 1. they have undertaken and completed a second higher qualification that is either a New Zealand Bachelor’s Degree or postgraduate qualification, and have studied that qualification full-time in New Zealand for at least 30 weeks; or 2. they are working towards occupational registration and meet the requirements at WD3.1.15; or 3. transitional provisions apply (see cite1†WD3.5 ). WD3.1.5 Currency and conditions 1. The currency of the work visa … depends on the qualification(s) gained as set out in the table below: Qualification completed and programme duration | A Post-Study work visa may be granted for: i. a level 7 Bachelor’s Degree or level 8 to 10 qualification that has been studied full-time for at least 30 weeks in New Zealand | Three years ii. a level 7 Graduate Diploma that has been studied full-time for at least 30 weeks in New Zealand | One year. Plus an additional one year, if the applicant is in the process of gaining registration with a registration authority and meets the requirements of WD3.1.15 Two years, if the study … was undertaken outside of Auckland and completed by 31 December 2021 (see WD3.1.10) iii. any other level 7 qualification that has been studied full-time for at least 30 weeks in New Zealand | One year Two years, if the study was undertaken outside of Auckland and completed by 31 December 2021 (see WD3.1.10) iv. a single qualification at level 4 to 6 that has been studied full-time for at least 60 weeks in New Zealand | One year Two years, if the study was undertaken outside of Auckland and completed by 31 December 2021 (see WD3.1.10) v. two qualifications at levels 4 to 6 that have been studi … ed full-time for at least 60 weeks in New Zealand (including at least 30 weeks per qualification) and the second qualification is at a higher level on the NZQF than the first qualification. The qualifications must have commenced in either the same or consecutive calendar years | One year Two years, if the study was undertaken outside of Auckland and completed by 31 December 2021 (see WD3.1.10) 2. A holder of a Post-Study work visa may work for any employer in any occupation in any location, subject to meeting cite2†E7.40 . Note: Study weeks include exam preparation time and exclude holiday … periods. WD3.1.10 Qualifications completed outside Auckland 1. Students who successfully complete a qualification specified at WD3.1.1(a) outside Auckland by 31 December 2021 qualify for a two-year Post-Study work visa. 2. A qualification(s) completed outside Auckland must have been studied entirely at a campus outside the territories covered by the Auckland Council. 3. A two-year Post-Study work visa will not be granted if any part of the qualification(s) was completed at a campus located within territories covered by the Auckland Council, including distance learning components. WD3.1.15 Work … ing towards occupational registration 1. Post-Study work visa holders who have successfully completed a level 7 Graduate Diploma may be granted an additional one-year Post-Study work visa (to a total of two years) if: 1. they are in the process of gaining registration with a registration body; and 2. they require an additional year of work experience to obtain the registration; and 3. the registration body is included in the list of acceptable registration authorities at WD3.1.15.1; and 4. they have not been granted a two-year Post-Study work visa under WD3.1.10 due to having completed their q … ualification outside Auckland. 2. To qualify for an additional one-year Post-Study work visa, applicants must currently hold a Post-Study work visa and provide: 1. a copy of the qualifying level 7 Graduate Diploma; and 2. evidence of provisional registration with an acceptable registration authority. WD3.1.15.1 List of acceptable registration authorities The following are acceptable registration authorities for the purposes of Post-Study work visa instructions: * Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand Effective 26/11/2018 PREVIOUS IMMIGRATION INSTRUCTIONScite3†WD3.1 Determining a Post-Stud …

Review method

Two separate automated exact-claim source reviews

Other New Zealand changes operative in 2018

• 2018-01-04DPRK nationals restricted from obtaining New Zealand work authorisations, with contract and exemption safeguards
• 2018-11-26Level 8 student partner work eligibility restricted to shortage qualifications
• 2018-11-26November 2018 remuneration thresholds revised for Skilled Migrant and Essential Skills categories