Post Study Work Visas (PSWV)
Upon successful completion of your tertiary qualification in New Zealand, you might be eligible for the grant of a Post Study Work Visa of 1-3 years duration, depending upon the qualification level, duration of study, and the program of study. This is granted if you hold one of the following qualifications, that has been studied full-time for at least 30 weeks (or longer) in New Zealand:
- A Bachelors Degree at level 7 on NZQF; or
- A Postgraduate Diploma at level 8 on NZQF; or
- A Masters Degree at level 9 on NZQF; or
- A Doctoral Degree at level 10 on NZQF; or
- A Qualification at level 4 to 7 on NZQF specified on the List of Qualifications Eligible for Post Study Work Visa (Appendix 13)
The post study work visa will give you the opportunity to work towards a job relevant to your qualification and occupation. Over time, it will lead you towards skilled employment with higher salaries that meet the median wage threshold that you must earn if you plan to apply for further skilled work or skilled residence visas in New Zealand.
Partners or dependent children of those holding a Post Study Work Visa would be eligible for the grant of a suitable visa of the same duration, subject to meeting the eligibility criteria and providing supporting evidence with the application.
Accredited Employer Work Visas (AEWV)
If your Post Study Work Visa is due to expire soon, or you are not eligible for a Post Study Work Visa upon the completion of your qualification, then you need to seek professional immigration advice to check whether you meet the eligibility criteria to apply for an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) in New Zealand.
To apply for an AEWV, you will need to hold a Job Offer (paid on par with the market rate, unless sector agreement applies) from an Accredited Employer who has been approved the Job Check by Immigration New Zealand. For roles classified as ANZSCO skill level 4 or 5, the employer must also engage with the Work and Income New Zealand (WINZ) as part of the labour market check.
ANZSCO is the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations, which was originally managed jointly by Stats New Zealand and the Australian Bureau of Statistics and is a classification of all occupations into skill levels from 1 to 5. ANZSCO is used by INZ as the benchmark tool to assess the skill level of an employment based on a substantial match with the relevant occupation. ANZSCO will be replaced by the NOL, the National Occupations List which is managed by Stats New Zealand, sometime during 2026 in a phased manner, once INZ is able to implement it into its Operational Manual Instructions.
You must be suitably qualified for the position as specified in the Job Check, meet the minimum skills threshold, and meet the English language requirements (if your employment has been assessed as ANZSCO skill level 4 or 5). You will be required to provide verifiable evidence of your skills, qualifications, experience, and English language standard.
The visa duration (and the maximum continuous stay period) of the AEWV could be between 3 to 5 years, depending on the ANZSCO/NOL skill level, or whether the role is listed on the Green List, or is paid atleast 1.5 times the median wage for the SMC Residence, or the occupation is in the Care Workforce Sector or in the Transport Sector. Upon reaching the maximum continuous stay permitted, the visa holder must spend a period of 12 months outside New Zealand before they can re-apply for another AEWV.
If you hold an AEWV and want to change your job, you may be granted a Job Change (Variation of Conditions) to change the conditions of your existing AEWV relating to your employer, occupation, location of employment, or a combination of these. You must meet the eligibility criteria required for a Job Change application, and the employer must hold a valid Job Check approval.
Partners or dependent children of those holding an AEWV for an occupation at skill level 1-3 on the ANZSCO/NOL (or in an ANZSCO skill level 4-5 role that will qualify for residence under the Transport sector or Care Workforce sector) and paid atleast 80% of the median wage, or paid atleast the median wage while employed in a role listed on the Green List, would be eligible for the grant of a suitable visa of the same duration, subject to meeting the eligibility criteria.
Accredited Employer work visa holders who wish to support their dependent child’s (visitor or student visa) application, must also meet the minimum income threshold of NZ$55,844 gross per annum specified in the INZ policy Instructions.
Working Holiday Visas (WHV)
The objective of working holiday visa is to allow young citizens from approved countries to take an extended holiday of 6-12 months while being able to work in casual jobs to fund their travel and holiday costs.
These visas are meant for young citizens from approved countries who are under 30 years of age (or 35 years for some countries) to travel and have an international experience in New Zealand.
Ready to book a Consultation with our Licensed Immigration Adviser?