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New Zealand is steadily growing into one of the preferred study destinations for not only Indians but aspirants over the world. The country’s well-known attractive lifestyle, and the great work- life balance are not the only reasons why this is so. Going by numbers, around 69,135 international students were studying in New Zealand in 2023, marking a whopping 67% increase from the previous year. India is the second largest source country, contributing 17% of the international student population here. The number only seems set to grow and these are some reasons why this country is getting so popular:
- New Zealand’s universities are among the best-rated in the world. According to a government website, all eight of them fall within the top 3% in world rankings.
- The academic approach here focusses on developing critical and analytical skills, both of which add great value to your professional competence and make you a sought after candidate when you complete your program and start looking for a job.
- The people of this country are welcoming and friendly, plus you get to study amidst a multi-cultural community that exposes you to world views and teaches you how to work seamlessly with people with different ethnic, and cultural backgrounds.
- Plenty of work options while you study give you invaluable hands-on experience even before you complete your degree or other academic qualification. Of course, this also reduces the financial burden of studying abroad quite significantly.
- The post-study work permit makes it simple for you to ease into a career right after your academic stint.
- New Zealand focus on research and if this is your preference, then studying abroad in the country and then moving into an area of research can be seamless and easy for you.
- The fact that you can live a reasonably comfortable life in New Zealand without breaking the bank, backed by the comparatively lower study costs for quality education, is another huge reason why students prefer to head here.
| Read all you need to know about studying in New Zealand. |
Benefits of a post-study work visa
Once you have completed your program in New Zealand, you need not immediately return to India. You can stay back and start your career here, taking advantage of the international exposure that this gives you.
New Zealand has a post-study visa option that you can opt for to take up a wide range of careers in this welcoming country with some of the world’s best-known brands having offices here. Here are some benefits of choosing to get a post-study work visa.
- You get to apply the skills you have newly learnt in a work setting of your choice and hone your skills further.
- It enables you to gain valuable international work experience that makes your CV far more attractive to future employers.
- It is a flexible visa that lets you travel outside New Zealand as well while you work there.
- The visa duration of three years allows you to stabilize yourself well and get significant experience on the job as soon as you finish your course.
- You can bring your spouse and children here and consider permanently settling in New Zealand.
Eligibility criteria for a NZ PSW visa
A New Zealand post-study work visa is offered to:
- Those who have successfully completed a level 7 qualification or higher. You should have studied a full-time programme and it should have lasted for at least 30 weeks.
- Those who have completed (in New Zealand) a full-time non-degree level 7 qualification or anything lower in level than this but the qualification is listed among those making a student eligible for the post-study visa. You can only choose a career in New Zealand that is directly related to your coursework as specified on the visa. Only full-time qualifications are considered. The eligibility may depend on the credits scored in your course.
You will find more information about the qualifications that you can get in New Zealand that make you eligible for this visa on the New Zealand immigration website.
For those who have completed a qualification in New Zealand that makes you eligible for a post-study work visa, here are some more requirements to meet:
- You should hold a valid passport as identity proof
- Medical exam clearance to certify that you are in good health. If you plan to stay less than half a year, a chest x-ray may not be mandatory. For a stay of less than a year, the medical certificate may be waived.
- No criminal conviction or activities that make you a security risk to the country. If you are older than 16 years and your total stay in New Zealand will be more than two years, you may have to give a police certificate certifying your good conduct and character.
- You must exhibit a genuine intention to adhere to all the conditions of the visa.
Visa restrictions
Apart from fulfilling the eligibility requirements, if you want to apply for a one, two or three-year post-study work visa in New Zealand, you should be able to demonstrate that you have enough funds to support your stay. Currently, this means that you must include proof of funds to the extent of NZD $5,000 along with your application. This may be in the form of bank or credit card statements or bank drafts.
A very critical point to remember is that you only have one chance to apply for this visa.
| Get details about the New Zealand student visa. |
Duration details of a NZ PSW visa
The post-study work visa lets you stay for a maximum of three years and work in New Zealand but this duration depends on what you studied here, the level of your qualification and the duration of your study in this country. Here are some more points to note:
- Students who complete a Master’s or Doctoral qualification in this country with a program that lasts at least 30 weeks can get a post-study work visa spanning three years.
- Students who completed a level 8 qualification or below can get these visas for a duration that matches their course length.
Note that the 30-week duration is calculated taking into account study breaks during your course and exam times. But your inter-semester or mid-semester breaks will not be taken as part of the 30-week duration.
How to apply for a NZ PSW visa
You have to send in your application within three months after the expiration of your student visa. Those who got their visa to complete a doctoral degree must apply within six months of the expiration date of that visa. Post-doc students can apply after the thesis presentation. You can only apply after the completion of the course that you got your student visa for.
Verify that you match all eligibility requirements and gather all your necessary documents before applying.
| Explore the top universities in New Zealand and apply to your favourite institution! |
You can apply for the New Zealand post-study work visa online on the government’s immigration website. You can make payment for the visa online as well via credit or debit card. The first step is to create a RealMe account using the given link and then, you can fill in the application, make your payment and also track your application on the same account.
Once you have applied, if the authorities have any questions, they will get in touch with you. You are required to give all necessary clarifications and verifications they ask for. You will be able to see any such queries when you check the visa status using your login credentials on the New Zealand Immigration website.
In case your current visa expires before you get your post-study work visa, the immigration authorities will issue an interim visa to legalise your say in the meantime.
Usually, it takes around four weeks from your application to the issuance of the post-study work visa.
Fees and any other charges
Immigration New Zealand charges you NZD 700 to process your visa application. This is set to increase to NZD 1350 starting 1 October 2024. Even if your application is declined, this amount will not be returned. So make sure you have attached all the necessary documents and proofs to ensure your application has few chances of being rejected.
Your rights and duties while on the PSW visa
- You have the right to stay after your study program is completed and work as you have described in your application. A wide range of career choices are accepted with the exception of commercial escort services.
- You have the right to travel within New Zealand on your post-study work visa. You can also travel outside the country if you have a valid multiple-entry visa. If you don’t have a multiple entry visa and you leave New Zealand, your visa expires instantly.
- You have the right to study for a maximum of three months in a one-year period. Any more and you have to apply for a variation to your visa conditions. Exceptions may apply when it is your employer who needs you to study
- You have the right to bring your family to New Zealand. If you are studying or have completed a Level 7 or 8 qualification, you can get visitor visas for your spouse and children. Your spouse can also apply for a work visa and your children can study as domestic students in New Zealand, meaning they don’t have to pay international fees but can pay the fees applicable to local students
- You can change the following on your work visa:
- Your employer in New Zealand
- Your job in New Zealand
- Your job location
- You are duty-bound to ensure your visa and your main purpose for being in the country match at all times. If your main purpose changes from, say, work to study, you need to apply for a student visa.
- You are duty-bound to leave the country before the visa expires. That is, you cannot stay in New Zealand after the expiry of the visa. Your visa expiry date is mentioned clearly on the visa and in the visa letter.
- You have to ensure that your qualifications and employment match the requirements for the post-study work visa.
- If you have completed a non-degree level 7 qualification that is eligible for this visa, you must make sure that your new job is related to the qualification.
Living and working in NZ with a PSW visa
A PSW visa is flexible and it also has provisions for you to bring your family over. If you have a qualified spouse, they can also work in New Zealand alongside you. Those with children of school age can have them educated here in the country as well. Starting your career here and being able to work for three years lets you find your interest area and determine exactly what kind of role you want to take up long term. You have plenty of time to find permanent employment here that will enable you to stay back in New Zealand with a permanent residency.
New Zealand is a welcoming, friendly country and you are likely to find people from across the world in your neighbourhood. There is excellent work-life balance and weekends are generally reserved for leisure activities and not work. This is a safe country with good medical care and a great standard of living, which makes it a great place to live with your family.
FAQs
Q: For how many years can I get a post-study work visa in New Zealand?
This depends on your qualifications and the kind of work you are going to do but, in general, these visas can be given for one, two or three years.
Q: I want to bring my husband/ wife and children to New Zealand when I start working here. Is that possible to have a post-study work visa?
Yes, there is a provision for you to bring your spouse and dependent children. If your spouse wishes to work, they can apply for a work visa. Your children can study here just like domestic students do with fees applicable to local students.
Q: How can I prove my qualifications when I apply for PSW New Zealand?
Apply with a copy of your qualification issued by the institution where you completed the program or a letter of transcript of scores from the institution that shows you have completed the program.
Q: How soon should I expect to receive my PSW after I apply?
Around 80% of applications are processed in four weeks. However, this is not a guaranteed timeline since some applications may require further information and enquiries. Keep track of your visa application status on the site using your RealMe account.
New Zealand is a great study-abroad destination and also a good place to settle down once you are done with your studies. The country’s immigration policies are friendly and flexible and that means you can have your family with you while you start your career with a post-study work visa. There are some conditions that apply with the post-study work visa but these are easily met if you have planned ahead and you genuinely want to focus on a career in a field that you are passionate about. Now that you know everything you need to about New Zealand’s post-study work visa, it is time to start working towards your study abroad plans in this vibrant destination.
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