Post-study work is often the ROI question for New Zealand. Details below; full destination context is in the country guide.
Can I Work While Studying in New Zealand?
Yes. As of the current rules, student visa holders can work up to 25 hours a week during term time, and full time during scheduled holidays. Postgraduate research students, meaning Master's by research and PhD candidates, have no weekly work hour restriction at all. This part time income can meaningfully offset daily living costs, though it cannot be counted toward the NZD 20,000 visa funding requirement.
What Is the Post Study Work Visa?
After graduating, eligible students can apply for the Post Study Work Visa, an open work permit allowing you to work for any employer, in any role, anywhere in New Zealand, with no sponsorship required. Duration depends on your qualification:
- Degree level 7 or higher (Bachelor's, Postgraduate Diploma, Master's, or Doctoral), studied full time for at least 30 weeks in New Zealand: up to 3 years
- Non degree qualifications on the approved list (levels 4 to 7): visa length generally matches your study duration, up to the maximum allowed
A few important updates for 2026:
- You can only be granted one Post Study Work Visa in your lifetime, so timing matters if you're completing multiple qualifications
- From 16 November 2026, eligibility extends to graduates who complete a Level 7 Graduate Diploma in New Zealand and already hold a bachelor's degree from anywhere in the world, with the visa duration matching study time up to a maximum of one year
- A brand new Short term Graduate Work Visa also launches on 16 November 2026, offering 6 months of open work rights to graduates who don't qualify for the full Post Study Work Visa, giving them time to find work or transition to an Accredited Employer Work Visa
- From August 2026, updated Skilled Migrant Category rules reduce the required skilled work experience for residency from three years to two for most graduates, meaning a 3 year Post Study Work Visa now comfortably covers the full pathway to residency eligibility
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