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New Zealand has announced a major win for international students. From November 16, 2026, a new Short-Term Graduate Work Visa (STGWV) will open – giving eligible Level 5-7 graduates 6 months of open work rights to stay back and find a job. 

If you didn’t qualify for the Post-Study Work Visa before, this is your second chance.

What Is The Short-Term Graduate Work Visa?

This is a brand-new, temporary work visa designed for graduates who completed an eligible qualification in New Zealand but do not qualify for the existing Post-Study Work Visa (PSWV). 

What it offers:

• Up to 6 months open work rights – work for any employer, any role 
• No job offer required before applying 
• Time to hunt for a job and transition to an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) 
• Apply online via Immigration New Zealand’s new ADEPT system 

This is not a replacement for PSWV. PSWV can give up to 3 years work rights, this one is 6 months. 

Who Is Eligible? The 5-Point Checklist

Immigration New Zealand has made it very clear:

1. Qualification Level:
   Must hold an eligible NZQCF Level 5, 6 or 7 qualification. Think Certificates, Diplomas, Graduate Diplomas.
   NOT eligible: English language, foundation, or bridging courses. 
2. Study Duration:
   Must have studied that qualification full-time in New Zealand for at least 24 weeks. 
3. PSWV Exclusion Rule:
   Your qualification must NOT already make you eligible for a Post-Study Work Visa. This visa is only for those who fall outside PSWV. 
4. Funds & Health:

• At least NZD $5,000 in available funds to support yourself 
• Must meet medical and chest X-ray requirements 

5. Visa History & Deadline:

• You must NOT have previously held a Short-Term Graduate Work Visa or a Post-Study Work Visa 
• You must apply within 3 months of your student visa expiring. Important: If your student visa expired before August 16, 2026, you will NOT be eligible when applications open on Nov 16, because your 3-month window would have passed. 

Short-Term Graduate Work Visa vs Post-Study Work Visa: Key Differences

Feature	Short-Term Graduate Work Visa (NEW)	Post-Study Work Visa (Existing)
Duration	Up to 6 months	Up to 3 years
Target	Graduates NOT eligible for PSWV	Graduates meeting PSWV requirements
Work Rights	Open – any employer, no offer needed	Open, but depends on qualification
Business Ownership	Not allowed	Allowed with conditions
Partner Sponsorship	Cannot sponsor partner for work visa	Can support partner visa if rules met
Extension	One-time, non-renewable, non-extendable	Not generally renewable
Purpose	Short-term job search & transition to AEWV	Longer-term employment

Major Update: PSWV Also Expanding!

On the same day, Nov 16, 2026, NZ is expanding PSWV eligibility.

Now, graduates who complete a Level 7 Graduate Diploma AND already hold a bachelor’s degree (NZ or overseas) will be eligible for PSWV. It will be granted for the length of time you studied the diploma in NZ, up to 1 year. Cross-crediting won’t count. 

So from Nov 16, you have 2 paths:

• Level 5-7 Certificate/Diploma that doesn’t lead to PSWV -> Short-Term Visa (6 months)
• Level 7 Graduate Diploma + Bachelor’s Degree -> Post-Study Work Visa (up to 1 year)

Restrictions You MUST Know

1. No second chance: Only ONE STGWV in your lifetime. Cannot be extended or granted twice. 
2. No self-employment: You must work under an employment agreement. You cannot own or run your own business. 
3. Family limits: You cannot support a partner for a work visa or children for Dependent Child Student Visa on this visa. They can apply independently as visitors. 
4. Studying again? If you hold this visa and want to study again, your next course must be a bachelor’s degree OR higher than your previous qualification AND must make you eligible for PSWV. 

Documents Checklist for Application

Prepare for ADEPT upload:

1. Passport & identity
2. Evidence of eligible NZ qualification
3. Academic transcripts / confirmation of 24 weeks full-time study
4. Proof of NZD $5,000 funds
5. Medical / chest X-ray (if required)
6. Previous NZ visa history 

Who Should Apply For This Visa? (Strategy)

This visa is perfect for:

• Students who did a Level 5 or 6 diploma in hospitality, cookery, business, IT support etc.
• Students whose provider or course wasn’t PSWV-eligible
• Students who need 3-6 months buffer to get an AEWV job offer

Pro Tip: Don’t wait till Nov 16. If your student visa expires in Sep/Oct 2026, your 3-month window is ticking. Keep funds ready and health checks done early.