Immigration New Zealand has announced that international students who study for a postgraduate diploma for 30 weeks and immediately progress to a Master’s degree are now eligible to apply for a post-study work visa (PSWV). This update gives students more flexibility in their course of study. It also ensures that they remain eligible to work following their qualification.
With the announcement, Immigration New Zealand outlined the following additional conditions:
- Students who have completed a qualification eligible for a PSWV and immediately undertake a higher-level qualification will have a 12-month grace period to apply for a PSWV. This grace period starts from the end date of their student visa for the initial qualification to apply for a PSWV. This applies if their higher-level qualification is ineligible for PSWV, including if they did not study for the minimum duration.
- Students wanting a three-year PSWV must complete at least 30 weeks of full-time study in New Zealand, enrolled in the Master’s degree itself.
- To be eligible for a PSWV, applicants must hold an eligible New Zealand qualification studied full-time in the country for the required minimum duration and apply within the stipulated timeframe.
A supportive policy update
“With this welcoming change, students who enrol in a master’s qualification immediately after completing a postgraduate diploma retain their eligibility for a post-study work visa, making the policy more supportive,” remarked New Zealand Gateway Director of Operations Vijeta Kanwar.
The updated rules apply to a diverse range of courses. They’re designed to attract quality students and skilled professionals to fill labour market gaps in New Zealand. They encourage individuals to stay and work in the country and fill high-demand occupations.
The adjustments are set to make the region an even more attractive study destination, particularly for students from India and South Asia. Notably, nearly half of all international students pursue postgraduate qualifications in New Zealand.
Changes to the eligibility requirements for a PSWV
Immigration New Zealand also shared changes to the list of qualifications eligible for a PSWV:
- PSWV applicants who qualify to teach at secondary school no longer require a Bachelor’s degree specialising in Science, Mathematics, Technology or Pacific Languages.
- Applicants who have completed graduate diplomas and meet the Teaching Council’s registration requirements can get a PSWV to work as a Primary or Intermediate school teacher.
- The New Zealand Diploma in Engineering (Level 6) with a strand in Mechanical Engineering has been added so Mechanical Engineering Technicians are eligible for a PSWV.
These measures align the list of qualifications eligible for a PSWV with the Green List, a list of highly skilled occupations in the country that are in high demand and require foreign talent.
A promising outlook for New Zealand
In 2023, New Zealand recorded over 69,000 international students studying in the country, a whopping 67% increase from the previous year. Earlier this year, Immigration NZ also reported a 20% surge in student visa applications. A recent survey also showed that students expressed high levels of satisfaction with their study experience in the country. Almost nine out of 10 international students rated the country as a positive study destination.
With a 67% year-on-year recovery rate, New Zealand is expected to fully recover international student numbers by 2025.
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