Changes in Post-Study Work Rights for International Students in New Zealand
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Following a public consultation, the Government of New Zealand has done changes to immigration settings that impact post-study work rights for international students.
The significant changes include (Source: www.immigration.govt.nz)
- To remove the employer-assisted post-study work visas at all levels.
- To provide a one-year post-study open work visa for students studying Level 4 to 6 and non-degree Level 7 qualifications with an additional year for Graduate Diploma graduates who are working towards registration with a professional or trade body.
- To provide a two-year post-study open work visa for students studying Level 4 to 6 and non-degree Level 7 qualifications outside Auckland provided study is completed by December 2021, at which point the entitlement for post-study work rights reverts to a one-year post-study open work visa for students studying Level 4 to 6 and non-degree Level 7 qualifications with an additional year for Graduate Diploma graduates who are working towards registration with a professional or trade body.
- To provide a three-year post-study open work visa for degree Level 7 or above qualifications
- To require international students studying Level 8 qualifications to be in an area specified on the Long Term Skills Shortage list in order for their partner to be eligible for an open work visa, and in turn the partners’ dependent children to be eligible for fee-free domestic schooling.
These changes will come into effect on 26 November 2018.
The current changes will not impact the existing post-study work visa holders or students who are undergoing a qualification that once completed will meet the requirements set out in current immigration.
Key takeaways from the changes:
- The existing international students who are pursuing degree courses will benefit from the new rules as they will continue to work for three years and need not to fulfil the earlier requirement of engaging in ‘employer-assisted’ work for two years. The changes seek to remove the requirement of employer sponsorship at every level in order to make international students less vulnerable to exploitation.
- Foreign students studying below degree level will only be able to work for a maximum of two years after completing their course. Also, those who will study in Auckland will be able to work only for a maximum of one year.
According to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, these changes would increase the skills level required to proceed for permanent residency and at the same time, it allows international students to benefit from the New Zealand work experience after completing their studies.
These visa rules are applicable for those who hold the student visa or whose student visa application has been accepted by the Immigration New Zealand:
| Level of study |
Duration of course |
Eligibility of visa |
| Level 7 Bachelor’s degree or above |
At least 30 weeks in New Zealand |
Three-year open work visa |
| Non-degree Level 7 qualification |
At least 30 weeks in New Zealand |
Three-year open work visa |
| One qualification at Level 4-6 |
At least 60 weeks in New Zealand |
Three-year open work visa |
| Two qualifications at Levels 4-6 |
Study 60 weeks in total, 30 weeks for each qualification. The second qualification is higher than the first level. |
Three-year open work visa |
New Post-Study Work Right Rules
Level 4 to 6 and non-degree Level 7 qualifications:
- Earlier: Prior to the changes, students who studied for 24 months were entitled to a one-year open work visa and then a two-year employer-assisted work visa.
- After Change: Now, two-year employer-assisted work visa has been removed and a one-year open work visa is retained. However, those who pursue their education outside Auckland can get a two-year open work visa.
Bachelor level qualifications:
- Earlier: After 12 months of study students were entitled to a one-year open work visa and a two-year employer-assisted work visa.
- After Change: One-year open and two-year employer-assisted visa is replaced with a three-year open work visa.
Post-graduate level qualifications:
- Earlier: After pursuing 12 months study, students were entitled to a one-year open work visa and after that, a two-year employer-assisted work visa.
- After Change: One-year open and two-year employer-assisted visa is replaced with a three-year open work visa.
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Commonly asked questions
With a good educational system, excellent quality of life, and a number of research opportunities, New Zealand offers a lot to international students. Auckland, the largest city in New Zealand has a 39 percent population of overseas citizens, making it a culturally diverse city. Moreover, the post-study work visa in New Zealand can offer up to three years of stay back. As per Stats New Zealand, its unemployment rate is 3.4 percent. Students enrolled in a course of 12 months or more can also work part-time in New Zealand for up to 20 hours a week during the semester and holidays.
The tuition fees that a student would need to pay will depend on the type of qualification and the university they are looking at to pursue their education. While courses such as humanities, education, and arts are likely to cost less pursuing subjects such as medicine and engineering costs on the higher side.
The below table sheds light on the tuition fee charged level-wise in New Zealand from international students applying to their universities:
Study Program Level | Annual Costs in NZD |
|---|---|
Diploma or Certificate courses | NZD 23,000 - NZD 47,000 |
English Language courses | NZD 350 (per week) |
Undergraduate degree | NZD 22,000 - NZD 32,000 |
Master's degree | NZD 26,000 - NZD 37,000 |
Doctoral degree | NZD 6,500 - NZD 9,000 |
The cost of living does not includes only the tuition fee but also other expenses like textbooks, NON-tuition fee, accommodation cost and other personal expenses. The moment a student lands in New Zealand, they need to pay $35 international visitor and tourism conservation levy. The living cost can vary as per the accommodation option, location and personal spending habits.
In addition to your tuition and insurance fees, you will need between $20,000 and $25,000 per year ($380–480 per week) for accommodation/rent, food expenses, transportation costs, phone bills, internet usage and entertainment.
New Zealand is one of the top destinations for international students going abroad for higher education. All of eight universities in New Zealand are ranked among the top 3% universities in the world. New Zealand education sets up students with a globally recognised qualification and real-world skills. Each year thousands of students from India apply for various universities in the New Zealand. As per Govt. of India, there are more than 2,500 Indian students that went to study in 2022 in various universities in New Zealand.
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Raj Vimal is an education writer and editor with over 8 years of experience. He helps Indian students find the right universities, visas, and courses abroad. Currently, he leads content strategies at InfoEdge India
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