Many international students come to New Zealand to gain practical work experience after their studies. The New Zealand Post Study Work Visa enables some students to work in the country after completing their education.
If you are keen to work in New Zealand after completing your studies, you must meet the qualifications set by NZ immigration to get a Post-Study Work Visa.
Depending on the level of qualification and the duration of your studies in New Zealand, the Post Study Work Visa allows international students to work for up to three years.
If you applied for a Student Visa on or after May 12, 2022. In that case, you may be eligible for a Post Study Work Visa under the following conditions:
- Master’s Degree or Higher: If you have completed a Master’s degree or a higher qualification, you may be granted a three-year Post Study Work Visa. This visa allows you to work for any employer in any role.
- Bachelor’s Degree (Level 7) or Above: If you have completed a Level 7 Bachelor’s degree or higher, you may be eligible for a Post Study Work Visa for a duration equivalent to the time spent studying in New Zealand.
- Non-Degree Level 7 or Below: If your qualification is at non-degree Level 7 or below, you may be granted a Post Study Work Visa only if the qualification is eligible. The visa duration will match the time spent studying in New Zealand, and you must work in a role related to your qualifications.
Click here to understand – New Zealand Qualifications Framework (NZQF)
List of Eligible Diploma Qualifications for a Post-Study Work Visa
The list of Diploma qualifications eligible for a Post Study Work Visa includes 21 construction, teaching, and farming qualifications. This list includes:
- 7 diplomas at Levels 4 and 5
- 8 diplomas at Level 6
- 6 diplomas at Level 7
Qualification | Knowledge requirements (focus area) | Related jobs |
| A Graduate Diploma at NZQF Level 7 | Highway engineering or civil engineering | Construction Project Manager |
| A Graduate Diploma at NZQF Level 7 | Construction management or construction project management | Construction Project Manager or Project Builder |
| A Graduate Diploma at NZQF Level 7 | Construction | Project Builder |
| A Graduate Diploma in Construction at NZQF Level 7 | Quantity Surveying | Quantity Surveyor |
| A Graduate Diploma in Quantity Surveying at NZQF Level 7 | N/A | Quantity Surveyor |
| A Graduate Diploma acceptable to the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand for registration and The applicant meets all the Council’s other requirements for teacher registration and certification, and either: Holds a specialty bachelor’s degree in one of the following subjects: – Science (including chemistry, biology, physics, agricultural and horticultural science, and earth and space science) – Mathematics (including statistics and calculus) – Technology (including digital technologies, computer science, construction and mechanical technologies, materials technologies, and processing technologies) or For Pacific languages (including languages of Tokelau, Niue, Cook Islands, Sāmoa, Tonga, Tuvalu, Fiji, Rotuma, and Kiribati), has provided a letter of support from the provider attesting that the individual has the skills to teach in a Pacific language. Note: This can be gained outside of New Zealand. Getting Certificated|Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand | N/A | Secondary School Teacher |
| Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Early Childhood Education) or comparable qualification that is acceptable to the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand for registration. and The applicant meets all the Council’s other requirements for teacher registration and certification. Getting Certificated|Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand | N/A | Early Childhood Teacher |
| A qualification at NZQF Level 7, with a letter from Engineering New Zealand certifying that the qualification and any further learning meet the benchmark requirements towards Chartered Professional Engineer professional status in New Zealand. | N/A | Engineer or Civil, Electrical, Electronic Engineering Technician |
| A Diploma at NZQF Level 6 or higher with a minimum of 240 credits | Highway engineering, construction or construction management | Construction Project Manager or Project Builder |
| A Diploma at NZQF Level 6 or higher with a minimum of 240 credits | Civil engineering | Construction Project Manager or Civil Engineering Technician |
| New Zealand Diploma in Engineering (Level 6 or higher) with a strand in Civil Engineering, 240 credits | N/A | Construction Project Manager or Civil Engineering Technician |
| New Zealand Diploma in Civil Engineering (Building and Construction) Level 7 | N/A | Civil Engineering Technician |
| New Zealand Diploma in Construction (Quantity Surveying) Level 6 or higher | N/A | Quantity Surveyor or Project Builder |
| New Zealand Diploma in Construction (Level 6 or higher) with a strand in Quantity Surveying, 240 credits | N/A | Quantity Surveyor or Project Builder |
| New Zealand Diploma in Construction (Level 6 or higher) with a strand in Construction Economics, Construction Management or Building, 240 credits | N/A | Project Builder |
| New Zealand Diploma in Engineering (Level 6 or higher) with a strand in Electrical Engineering, 240 credits | N/A | Telecommunications, Telecommunications Network Engineer or Electrical Engineering Technician |
| New Zealand Diploma in Engineering (Level 6 or higher) with a strand in Electronics Engineering, 240 credits | N/A | Electronic Engineering Technician |
| New Zealand Diploma in Electrical Engineering (Level 7) | N/A | Electrical Engineering Technician |
| A diploma at NZQF Level 5 or higher | Farm management, agriculture or dairy technology | Dairy Cattle Farmer |
| A certificate at NZQF Level 4 or higher | New Zealand Certificate in Automotive Electrical Engineering (NZQF Level 4) | Automotive Electrician |
| A certificate at NZQF Level 4 or higher | New Zealand Certificate in Heavy Automotive Engineering (NZQF Level 4) | Diesel Motor Mechanic |
| A certificate at NZQF Level 4 or higher | Dairy Farming or Livestock Farming strands of the New Zealand Certificate in Agriculture (Level 4) | Dairy Cattle Farmer |
| New Zealand Certificate in Automotive Electrical Engineering (Level 4) | N/A | Automotive Electrician |
| New Zealand Certificate in Heavy Automotive Engineering (NZQF Level 4) | N/A | Diesel Motor Mechanic |
| New Zealand Certificate in Agriculture (Level 4) with a strand in Dairy Farming or Livestock Farming | N/A | Dairy Cattle Farmer |
This list outlines the diploma qualifications eligible for a Post Study Work Visa in New Zealand and the corresponding job opportunities they may lead to.
If students know this in advance, it will help them to choose their courses more judiciously; if you still have any questions, you can contact our advisors.
Reference – https://www.immigration.govt.nz/
