Changes in Post-Study Work Rights for International Students in New Zealand
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Changes in Post-Study Work Rights for International Students in New Zealand

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Aishwarya
Aishwarya Bhatnagar
Study Abroad Expert
Updated on Feb 15, 2021 16:26 IST

Changes in Post-Study Work Rights for International Students in New Zealand

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.

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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.

Related Articles:

Q:   Is New Zealand good for Indian students?

A:

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.

Q:   What is the acceptance rate for Lincoln University New Zealand?

A:

According to various unofficial sources, Lincoln University New Zealand acceptance rate is around 60%. The acceptance rate indicated that the university is moderately selective at the time of admission. So, to get into the university, make sure to have a good academic record and meet the entry requirements such as having 12 years of schooling and minimum percentage for admission to bachelor’s courses. For admission to postgraduate courses, a relevant degree is required with the minimum grade.

Q:   How much funds are needed for a New Zealand study visa?

A:

 International students need to show sufficient funds for getting a New Zealand student visa. Students need to show NZ$ 20,000 for a full year of study or NZ$ 1,250 per month for getting a New Zealand study visa.

Cost of New Zealand Student Visa Application

  • New Zealand Visa Cost: Students who are submitting their Student Visa Application online are required to pay a base Visa fee of NZD 375 which is INR 19,200 (approximately).
  • Candidates who are applying for their Student Visa online from New Delhi are required to pay NZD 430 which is INR 22,000 (approximately) as the receiving centre fees.
  • Those applying for a student visa in New Zealand on paper (offline mode) should note that the immigration costs would be INR 22,600, in addition to this students are required to pay a receiving Centre fee of INR 1,520.

Q:   Which course is better, Master in Management or Master in Project Management at the University of Auckland, New Zealand?

A:

The University of Auckland offers the best UG and PG programs for international students at an affordable tuition fees. Auckland Unversity Master in Project Management is slightly better than the Master in Management because of its tuition fees for first year. Mentioned below is the tuition fees for first-year for international students:

ProgramFirst Year Tuition Fees
Master in Project ManagementINR 25.11 L
Master in ManagementINR 26.11 L

Q:   What is the cost of studying in New Zealand?

A:

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  

Q:   Is living in New Zealand expensive?

A:

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.

Q:   How much will it cost to study in New Zealand?

A:

The cost of study in New Zealand for international students will vary from student to student. The cost of living will depend on many factors such as lifestyle, type of course and accommodation. Here we have given a breakdown of cost of living in New Zealand for international students.

Tuition Fees

Level of Study

Estimated Tuition Fees

Diplomas/Certificates

NZD 23,376 to NZD 46,752

Bachelor’s Degree

NZD 20,000 to NZD 40,000

Postgraduate Degree

 NZD 20,000 to NZD 45,000

PhDs

NZD 6,500 to NZD 7,500

Living Expenses

Type of Expenses

Cost

Accommodation

NZD 140 – NZD 484 (per week)

Entertainment

NZD 55 (per week)

Food

NZD 80 – NZD 120 (per week)

Electricity

NZD 200 – NZD 300 (per month)

Transportation

NZD 37 (per week)

Phone

NZD 19 (per month)

Internet

NZD 90 (per month)

Q:   Is New Zealand good for international students to study?

A:

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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Aishwarya Bhatnagar
Study Abroad Expert

Aishwarya is a professional Writer currently working as a Study Abroad Expert in the Editorial Team at Shiksha. She has over 5 years of experience and is skilled at creating Online Content with leveraged knowledge i... Read Full Bio

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Armed with B.Com from Delhi University, Anuradha Sharma has accumulated rich experience as an education counsellor. She is especially adept at handling Australia and NZ admission procedure. Before becoming a GTE Exp... Read Full Bio

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Comments

(3)

N

Nayab rasool

3 years ago

Sir i want to do my master's in nz.. After availing psw of three years.. If i do phd in nz.. do i get psw again...

Reply to Nayab rasool

S

Shejin Joshy

4 years ago

I am planning to do a masters in New zealand for 2021 intake.And i would like to know , when my course finishes in 2022, what would be the possibility of getting PSW visa and for how many years I would be getting it?

Reply to Shejin Joshy

A

Anish Pandit

4 years ago

Dear Piyush,Its great that you are maintaining this website in A grade information and my heartiest thanks to you,could you please answer me,if a International student doing Graduate Diploma with Hospitality management in New-Zealand is eligible to bring his or her married partner.I am Anish.

Reply to Anish Pandit

P

Piyush Kohli

4 years ago

Hi Samir, you will be eligible for a three-year open work visa.

S

Samir Adhikari

4 years ago

Bro if I study 1 years course than how many years I get open work permit and I will be agiable to apply for PR or not