Working after you finish study in NZ

You can apply for a post-study work visa after you've finished studying here. There are 2 visas you can apply for:

• a Post Study Work Visa (Open) gives you up to 12 months to find a job that relates to your studies
• a Post Study Work Visa (Employer Assisted) lets you work in that job for up to 2 years, or 3 years if you need relevant work experience to get professional registration.

You can also apply for other work visas. If you apply for an Essential Skills Work Visa, your employer must first confirm that there are no New Zealanders available to do the work.

Who can get a post-study work visa

Post Study Work Visa (Open)

To be eligible you must:

• have successfully completed an acceptable qualification in New Zealand
• apply no later than 3 months (or 6 months if you've completed a PhD) after the end date of your student visa
• have at least NZD$4200 available to live on during the 12 months the visa lasts — evidence of this could be traveller's cheques or bank documents.

Visa factsheet: Post Study Work Visa (Open)

Post Study Work Visa (Employer Assisted)

To apply you'll need to show that:

• you've successfully completed an acceptable qualification in New Zealand
• your job offer is relevant to your qualification.

Getting professional membership or registration

If you're working towards membership or registration with a New Zealand professional association — for example, the New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants or the New Zealand Registered Architects Board — you can apply for a 3-year visa.

You must show that:

• you need the membership or registration to perform your professional duties
• the professional association will accept:
  • your New Zealand qualification as part of your registration, and
  • the work you're doing as practical experience towards registration.

Visa factsheet: Post-study Work Visa (Employer Assisted)

Working after you've studied overseas

There are visas that help overseas students by offering them work opportunities in New Zealand.

Student and Trainee Work Visa

If you need practical experience to support your training, you could come to New Zealand if you're doing:

• religious training
• dental or medical training
• an apprenticeship as a jockey.

Before you apply an employer must offer you:

• practical work experience
• a place on a training programme, or
• an apprenticeship.

Visa factsheet: Student and Trainee Work Visa

Getting a tax number

Once you have your visa, apply for an IRD number from Inland Revenue. You give this number to your employer when you start work and use it for all your New Zealand tax matters.

Applying for an IRD number if you’re in NZ as a permanent migrant or visa holder