New Zealand · Work
New Zealand Post-study work visa
First stay: 3 yrs
First checked against official sources on Change log
Key facts
Post-study work visa is a work route for New Zealand. You can work locally. Checked 2026-10-11 against the official source.
- Government fees
- ~NZD 1,670 ≈ $930
- First stay
- 3 yrs
Cost, time and long term
Government fees~NZD 1,670 ≈ $930
- NZD 1,670 (≈ $930)Visa cost shown as from NZD 1,670 (≈ $930).
Shown, not spentNZD 5,000+ ≈ $2,800
- NZD 5,000 (≈ $2,800)Funds to pay living expenses.
CitizenshipTime here doesn't count
Time on this visa does not count toward citizenship; the 5 years must be lived as a resident (resident visa or permit).
Why this route may not fit
Check this before you apply.
- Time on this route doesn't count toward citizenship
- Needs earlier residence or an existing status in New Zealand
What you'll need
Who can apply4
- The applicant recently finished studying in New Zealand for an approved qualification.
- The applicant applies within 3, 6 or 12 months after the student visa expires, depending on study and visa.
- A qualification of degree level 7 or higher studied full-time for at least 30 weeks in New Zealand gives open work rights.
- A non-degree level 7 or lower qualification must be on the eligible list, studied full-time in New Zealand, with work for an employer in a job related to the study.
What you must show2
- Funds of NZD 5,000 (≈ $2,800) pay living expenses.
- The visa cost is shown as from NZD 1,670 (≈ $930).
What happens at day 183
How New Zealand decides tax residence and treats foreign-source income, from its tax records.
- Stay on this route
Up to 3 years at first
- Tax residence
- More than 183 days in any 12-month periodTax residence begins by more than 183 days in New Zealand or a permanent place of abode
- Foreign-source income
New-resident relief (4 years)
New migrants and returning New Zealanders who qualify get roughly four years of exemption on most foreign-source income while they are New Zealand tax residents.
- Special regime
Transitional tax resident exemption · Tax relief
All tax rules for New Zealand Tax records checked
Full official text
Work visa for people who recently finished an approved qualification studied in New Zealand: open work rights with a level 7 or higher degree, or employer-limited work with a lower qualification, for up to 3 years. 1
What you must show and pay
- Savings of at least NZD 5,000 (≈ $2,800) · Funds to pay living expenses. 1
- A fee of NZD 1,670 (≈ $930) · Visa cost shown as from NZD 1,670 (≈ $930). 1
Requirements
- The applicant recently finished studying in New Zealand for an approved qualification. 1
- The applicant applies within 3, 6 or 12 months after the student visa expires, depending on study and visa. 1
- A qualification of degree level 7 or higher studied full-time for at least 30 weeks in New Zealand gives open work rights. 1
- A non-degree level 7 or lower qualification must be on the eligible list, studied full-time in New Zealand, with work for an employer in a job related to the study. 1
- Funds of NZD 5,000 (≈ $2,800) pay living expenses. 1
- The visa cost is shown as from NZD 1,670 (≈ $930). 1
Stay
- Up to 3 years depending on study.
- First stay: up to 36 months, decided case by case.
Work
Open work with a level 7 or higher degree; otherwise a job that meets requirements.
Family
Partner can apply for a work visa and children for student visas.
Fine print
From 16 November 2026 it also opens to people with a level 7 graduate diploma studied full-time in New Zealand after a bachelor's degree from New Zealand or overseas.
Official sources
- Post-Study Work Visa · Immigration New Zealand · checked 2026-10-10
- Presence in NZ requirements (citizenship by grant) · New Zealand Government (govt.nz, Department of Internal Affairs) · checked 2026-10-11
Post-study work visa and its alternatives
| Route | Money needed | Stay | Work |
|---|---|---|---|
| Post-study work visa | – | 3 yr | Yes |
| Accredited Employer visa | Needs income of NZD 67.12+ an hour ≈ $38 | 5 yr, renewable | Limited |
| Skilled Migrant Category | Needs income of NZD 105+ an hour ≈ $59 | – | – |
| Straight to Residence | – | – | – |
| LTR · Highly Skilled Thailand | Needs income of $80k+ a year | 5 yr, renewable | – |
Questions people ask
How much money do I need for the Post-study work visa?
Savings of at least NZD 5,000 (≈ $2,800). Funds to pay living expenses. A fee of NZD 1,670 (≈ $930). Visa cost shown as from NZD 1,670 (≈ $930).
How long can I stay on the Post-study work visa?
Up to 3 years depending on study.
Can I work on the Post-study work visa?
Yes. Open work with a level 7 or higher degree; otherwise a job that meets requirements.
Can I bring my family on the Post-study work visa?
Partner can apply for a work visa and children for student visas.
Is there a tax break for Post-study work visa holders in New Zealand?
Transitional tax resident exemption for most foreign-source income: New migrants and returning New Zealanders who qualify get roughly four years of exemption on most foreign-source income while they are New Zealand tax residents. It's separate from the visa and has its own conditions.
Tax
Special regime
Transitional tax resident exemption for most foreign-source income
Tax relief
Details
- On: Most foreign-source income
New migrants and returning New Zealanders who qualify get roughly four years of exemption on most foreign-source income while they are New Zealand tax residents.
Taxed on
Most foreign-source income; overseas employment and personal services income is not exempt.
Who it applies to
- Period begins on first day of New Zealand tax residence and ends four years after end of month of qualification, subject to earlier opt-out/termination events.
- The exemption can be used only once.
- The person was not a New Zealand tax resident at any time in the 10 years before qualifying.
Exclusions
- Overseas employment income and income from personal services is not exempt.
- Applying for Working for Families, opting out, reporting covered income, or confirming NZ tax to a foreign jurisdiction on covered income can terminate the exemption.
- Foreign-super withdrawals have their own rule.
Days in the country
- More than 183 days in any 12-month period · Tax residence begins by more than 183 days in New Zealand or a permanent place of abode
Tax residence
NZ tax residence can begin through more than 183 days in any 12-month period or permanent place of abode; this transitional exemption can apply during tax residence. After the exemption ends, worldwide income rules apply.
Visas
No particular visa is required by the tax rule; immigration and tax residence are distinct.
Other taxes
Tax exemption does not waive GST, PAYE on New Zealand work, KiwiSaver or other applicable levies; foreign employment/services carveout means remote work must be analyzed carefully.
Checked against official sources on Change log
More in New Zealand
Work visas elsewhere
≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated.
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How this was checked
Checked on 2026-10-11 against 2 official sources. Status: verified against the official sources.
Every figure on this page comes from the official source it links to. The record was researched against these sources, then reviewed separately, with special attention to effective dates and amendments. Where a source does not state something, the page leaves it out.
- Post-Study Work Visa · Immigration New Zealand · checked 2026-10-10
- Presence in NZ requirements (citizenship by grant) · New Zealand Government (govt.nz, Department of Internal Affairs) · checked 2026-10-11
Tracked since 2026-10-10. Rule changes and corrections are listed on the changes page, and the methodology page explains how facts are checked. Found something out of date? Email contact@stayglobe.app with a link to the official source.