New Zealand Launches Six-Month Work Visa for Graduates

New Zealand Immigration announced a new six-month work visa for international graduates, set to take effect on November 16, 2026. This visa is designed to provide a short-term employment opportunity for graduates who have completed specific qualifications in New Zealand.

Eligible applicants must have completed a qualification at NZQF level 5 to 7, involving at least 24 weeks of full-time study, and must show they have at least NZD 5,000 available to meet health requirements. The visa can only be applied for within three months of the expiration of a student visa and is limited to one grant per person, with no extensions allowed.

Previous holders of a post-study work visa are ineligible. The initiative aims to bridge the gap for graduates seeking employment and to address skill shortages in the economy, while also expanding access to the post-study work visa system.