Post-Study Work Visa NZ: Graduate Diplomas Eligible from 16 Nov

The post-study work visa NZ rules will widen on 16 November 2026, when graduates of a Level 7 graduate diploma can apply for the first time. Immigration New Zealand (INZ) announced the change on 10 September 2026. Eligible graduate diploma holders can get a Post-Study Work Visa of up to 1 year.

Key facts

• Announced by INZ on 10 September 2026; takes effect 16 November 2026.
• New group: people with an NZQCF Level 7 graduate diploma studied full-time in New Zealand, plus a bachelor’s degree from New Zealand or overseas.
• The visa can be issued for the time spent studying the graduate diploma in New Zealand, up to 1 year, with open work conditions if you also hold a bachelor’s degree.
• The INZ visa page lists the fee as from NZD 1,670 and says 80% of applications are processed within 5.5 weeks.
• A person can only ever get one Post-Study Work Visa.

What changed

A Post-Study Work Visa lets international graduates stay and work in New Zealand after their studies. Until now, a Level 7 graduate diploma did not give access to this visa in most cases.

From 16 November 2026, INZ says graduate diploma holders can apply if they:

• completed a graduate diploma at NZQCF Level 7
• studied full-time in New Zealand for the whole qualification
• hold a bachelor’s degree, completed in New Zealand or overseas, with no time limit on when it was completed
• did not use cross-crediting or recognition of prior learning toward the graduate diploma

Applicants for the post-study work visa NZ route will need their graduate diploma certificate, a copy of their bachelor’s degree certificate and an official academic transcript. From 16 November 2026, applications will be made through INZ’s enhanced Immigration Online system.

INZ says an International Qualification Assessment is not needed for an overseas bachelor’s degree, although it can check that the qualification is genuine.

Who is affected by the post-study work visa NZ change

The change helps students who already hold a bachelor’s degree and choose a one-year graduate diploma in New Zealand. Many Nepali and Indian students fit this profile, because they complete a bachelor’s degree at home first.

INZ’s announcement also restates the rules for other levels. A postgraduate diploma (Level 8) needs at least 30 weeks of full-time study and may lead to a 1-year visa. A master’s degree (Level 9) needs at least 30 weeks of full-time study in the master’s programme itself and may lead to a 3-year visa.

INZ is clear that the visa is one-time only: “An individual can only be granted 1 Post-Study Work Visa.” If you held one in the past, you cannot get another.

INZ says Post-Study Work Visa holders can support partners and dependent children for visitor, work or dependent child student visas, if requirements are met.

What it means for Nepali and Indian students

A graduate diploma is often shorter and cheaper than a master’s degree. From 16 November 2026, it can now lead to up to one year of post-study work in New Zealand for students who also hold a bachelor’s degree.

However, the visa is shorter than for a master’s degree. INZ says it can be issued for the time you spent studying the graduate diploma in New Zealand, up to 1 year. If you also hold a bachelor’s degree, you can get open work conditions, meaning you can work for any employer. If you do not hold a bachelor’s degree, you can only get the visa if your graduate diploma is on INZ’s list of eligible qualifications, and you must then work in the occupation on that list. If your diploma is not on the list, INZ says you can apply for the 6-month Short-Term Graduate Work Visa instead.

If you finish your graduate diploma before 16 November 2026, check the INZ pages for whether you can apply from that date. The announcement we read does not give a separate rule for earlier graduates.

What to do now

1. Confirm your graduate diploma is at NZQCF Level 7 and that you are studying full-time for the whole course.
2. Make sure no credit transfer or recognition of prior learning was used toward the diploma.
3. Keep a certified copy of your bachelor’s degree certificate and transcript ready.
4. Budget for the fee (from NZD 1,670) and living costs while you look for work. Our student visa money calculator can help you plan in rupees.
5. Apply only from 16 November 2026, using INZ’s enhanced Immigration Online system.

What we don’t know yet

• The INZ announcement does not say how the change applies to people who finished a graduate diploma before 16 November 2026.
• The INZ qualifications page had not yet been updated with the new graduate diploma rule when we checked on 7 October 2026.

Frequently asked questions

Can I get a post-study work visa in NZ after a graduate diploma?

From 16 November 2026, yes, if it is a full-time Level 7 graduate diploma studied in New Zealand and you also hold a bachelor’s degree.

How long is the post-study work visa NZ grants graduate diploma holders?

INZ says for the time you spent studying the graduate diploma in New Zealand, up to a maximum of 1 year.

Can I get a second post-study work visa after a master’s degree?

No. INZ says a person can only be granted one Post-Study Work Visa.

Sources

• Post-Study Work Visa eligibility extended from 16 November 2026 – Immigration New Zealand
• Post-Study Work Visa – Immigration New Zealand
• Qualifications needed for a Post-Study Work Visa – Immigration New Zealand

Last checked: 7 October 2026. This is general information, not immigration advice.