--- title: "New Zealand Post-study work visa requirements 2026" url: https://settleanywhere.com/countries/new-zealand/post-study-work/ lang: en updated: 2026-10-11 --- New Zealand · Work # New Zealand Post-study work visa **First stay:** 3 yrs First checked against official sources on 11 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/) - **Savings needed:** NZD 5,000 ≈ $2,800 (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.) - **First stay:** 3 yrs (Up to 3 years depending on study.) - **Who can apply:** Any passport - **Work:** Yes (Open work with a level 7 or higher degree; otherwise a job that meets requirements.) - **Family:** Family can join (Partner can apply for a work visa and children for student visas.) - **Spouse work:** Needs a permit (Partner can apply for a work visa and children for student visas.) - **Tax angle:** Tax relief (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.) ## 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 spent: NZD 5,000+ ≈ $2,800** - NZD 5,000 (≈ $2,800) Funds to pay living expenses. **Citizenship: Time 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). [New Zealand Government](https://www.govt.nz/browse/passports-citizenship-and-identity/nz-citizenship/requirements-for-nz-citizenship/presence-requirements/) ## 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 apply - 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 show - 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 period** Tax 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](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/new-zealand/tax/) Tax records checked 12 Oct 2026 **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. (source 1) #### What you must show and pay - Savings of at least NZD 5,000 (≈ $2,800) · Funds to pay living expenses. (source 1) - A fee of NZD 1,670 (≈ $930) · Visa cost shown as from NZD 1,670 (≈ $930). (source 1) #### Requirements - The applicant recently finished studying in New Zealand for an approved qualification. (source 1) - The applicant applies within 3, 6 or 12 months after the student visa expires, depending on study and visa. (source 1) - A qualification of degree level 7 or higher studied full-time for at least 30 weeks in New Zealand gives open work rights. (source 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. (source 1) - Funds of NZD 5,000 (≈ $2,800) pay living expenses. (source 1) - The visa cost is shown as from NZD 1,670 (≈ $930). (source 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. Checked 2026-10-11 ## Official sources 1. [Post-Study Work Visa](https://www.immigration.govt.nz/visas/post-study-work-visa/) · Immigration New Zealand · checked 2026-10-10 2. [Presence in NZ requirements (citizenship by grant)](https://www.govt.nz/browse/passports-citizenship-and-identity/nz-citizenship/requirements-for-nz-citizenship/presence-requirements/) · 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](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/new-zealand/aewv/) | Needs income of NZD 67.12+ an hour ≈ $38 | 5 yr, renewable | Limited | | [Skilled Migrant Category](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/new-zealand/smc-resident/) | Needs income of NZD 105+ an hour ≈ $59 | – | – | | [Straight to Residence](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/new-zealand/straight-to-residence/) | – | – | – | | [LTR · Highly Skilled](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/thailand/ltr-highly-skilled-professional/) 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](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/new-zealand/tax/#tax-nz-transitional-resident-foreign-income) Tax relief Foreign-source income: New-resident relief (4 years) **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 12 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/) [Full page →](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/new-zealand/tax/) ## More in New Zealand [Working Holiday](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/new-zealand/working-holiday/) [Visitor visa + remote work](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/new-zealand/visitor-remote-work/) [Business Investor work visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/new-zealand/business-investor-work/) [Student visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/new-zealand/fee-paying-student/) [Work to Residence](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/new-zealand/work-to-residence/) ## Work visas elsewhere [🇯🇵 Highly Skilled Professional](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/japan/highly-skilled-professional/) [🇮🇩 Special talent visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/indonesia/e33a-special-talent-sponsored/) [🇦🇪 Golden · Senior specialist](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/united-arab-emirates/golden-specialised-professional/) [🇸🇬 Employment Pass](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/singapore/employment-pass/) [🇲🇾 Residence Pass-Talent](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/malaysia/rp-t/) [🇰🇷 K-STAR to F-2](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/south-korea/kstar-f2-talent-track/) ≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated. ## 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. 1. [Post-Study Work Visa](https://www.immigration.govt.nz/visas/post-study-work-visa/) · Immigration New Zealand · checked 2026-10-10 2. [Presence in NZ requirements (citizenship by grant)](https://www.govt.nz/browse/passports-citizenship-and-identity/nz-citizenship/requirements-for-nz-citizenship/presence-requirements/) · 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](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/), and the [methodology page](https://settleanywhere.com/methodology/) explains how facts are checked. Found something out of date? Email [contact@stayglobe.app](mailto:contact@stayglobe.app?subject=Correction) with a link to the official source.