New Zealand 6-Month Graduate Work Visa will open for eligible international graduates from November 16, 2026, giving them up to six months of open work rights after completing an eligible qualification in the country.
The new visa is intended for graduates who do not qualify for the longer Post-Study Work Visa.
The new route will allow eligible graduates to work for any employer in New Zealand while looking for employment and exploring longer-term work options.
Applications will be submitted online through Immigration New Zealand’s Enhanced Immigration Online system.
New Zealand 6-Month Graduate Work Visa Eligibility
The New Zealand 6-Month Graduate Work Visa is available to graduates who have completed an eligible New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF) Level 5, 6 or 7 qualification.
The qualification must have been studied full-time in New Zealand for at least 24 weeks.
The qualification must not be an English-language, foundation or bridging programme, a micro-credential, or a qualification that already makes the graduate eligible for a Post-Study Work Visa.
Applicants must also have held a New Zealand student visa within the three months before applying.
Applicants need to show at least NZD $5,000 in available funds to support themselves during their stay. They must also meet applicable health, character and genuine-intention requirements.
Who Can Use the New Visa
The new visa is aimed at international students who complete eligible qualifications but do not qualify for New Zealand’s existing Post-Study Work Visa.
It provides a temporary period to gain work experience and look for opportunities that could support a longer-term work route.
The visa provides open work rights, meaning holders can work in any legal job for any employer, provided the work meets the visa conditions. However, holders cannot operate a business as an owner.
Applicants must apply within three months after the end date of the student visa associated with the qualification. Immigration New Zealand has also stated that a person can receive only one Short-Term Graduate Work Visa.
Visa Validity and Family Rules
The visa allows graduates to stay and work in New Zealand for up to six months. It cannot be extended, and a second Short-Term Graduate Work Visa cannot be granted to the same person.
Visa holders cannot support a partner for a work visa or dependent children for a Dependent Child Student Visa through this route.
Partners and children may, however, have other visa options if they independently meet the relevant requirements.
The new visa also does not itself provide permanent residence.
Graduates who secure suitable employment may explore other immigration options, including the Accredited Employer Work Visa, subject to meeting the requirements of that visa.
Applications Open on November 16
Applications for the New Zealand 6-Month Graduate Work Visa will open on November 16, 2026.
Eligible applicants will be able to apply online and will need to submit evidence of their qualification and other required documents.
The new route is being introduced alongside changes to New Zealand’s wider post-study work system.
International graduates should therefore check which visa they qualify for before applying, particularly because students eligible for the Post-Study Work Visa cannot use the Short-Term Graduate Work Visa instead.
