Changes to New Zealand's Post Study Work Visa: A Guide for Indian Student
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The New Zealand government introduced changes to the rules of Post Study Work Visa (PSWV). This will attract international students who want to study and work abroad. The duration of NZ PSW visa is up to 3 years, depending on what qualification you studied.
The New Zealand government announced significant changes to Post Study Work Visa rules. The objective is to attract international students and offer them more job opportunities. Every year, many students from across the world enrol in courses at New Zealand universities.
According to the new rules, students who pursue a 30-week postgraduate diploma (PGDip) and immediately progress to a Master’s degree in New Zealand are now eligible for a PSW visa. Immigration New Zealand (INZ) made other announcements related to this change that are important for students. In this article, we have covered point-by-point changes to New Zealand’s Post Study Work Visa.
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NZ Post Study Work Visa
NZ PSW visa or Post Study Work Visa is a type of visa approved by Immigration New Zealand. This allows international students to stay and work in New Zealand after completing their studies in educational institutes in NZ. The duration of NZ PSW visa is up to 3 years, depending on what qualification you studied.
To get a Post Study Work Visa in New Zealand, there are some eligibility criteria decided. No students will get this without fulfilling the criteria. Let us understand it better:
- Educational Qualification: You have studied a degree level 7 or above qualification.
- Course Duration: At least 30 weeks in New Zealand.
Other than these criteria, there is a long list of conditions which you can easily check on the official website of Immigration New Zealand.
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Recent Changes New Zealand Post Study Work Visa
In November 2024, Immigration New Zealand made several changes in the rules of the PSW visa and the list of qualifications eligible for a Post Study Work Visa. We have listed every change below, so you understand technical information in easy language;
According to Immigration New Zealand “Students who studied a Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) in NZ for 30 weeks and immediately progressed to a Master’s degree, but were not enrolled in the Master for 30 weeks, are now eligible to apply for a Post Study Work visa (PSWV) based on their PGDip enrolment. This will give students more flexibility in their course of study and ensure they can remain eligible to work following their qualification.”
For Example: If an Indian student is currently enrolled in any PGDip program offered by any university in NZ) for 30 weeks. After completing this course, you have to get admission in a Master’s course to be eligible to apply for a Post Study Work visa (PSWV).
Changes in the List of Qualifications Eligible for a PSW Visa
- If you are qualified to be a teacher at a secondary school in NZ, there is no need for a Bachelor’s degree specializing in Science, Mathematics, Technology or Pacific Languages.
- If you complete a Diploma in Engineering (Level 6) in New Zealand, specializing in Mechanical Engineering, you are now eligible to apply for a Post Study Work Visa (PSWV).
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New Zealand as Study Destination
Such changes will attract the attention of those students who are planning to study and work abroad. New Zealand will become a more attractive study destination.
Recently, Canada has announced several changes in Canadian Study permits which will directly affect Indian students. Such students are looking for an Ideal study destination beyond Canada. They may consider New Zealand as their dream study destination.
Cost of Studying PGDip in New Zealand
As mentioned earlier, 30 weeks of PGDip is an important part of eligibility to get a New Zealand Post Study Work Permit. You must understand the overall cost of studying in NZ for this course.
On average, you need a budget between NZD 25,000 to NZD 40,000 for pursuing PG Diploma courses in New Zealand. This fee range covers the overall cost of completing a one-year PGDip in NZ. Other than this, you need to keep a budget to cover the cost of living in New Zealand. An Indian student needs INR 84,998 (1,715.4NZD) per month to cover the living expenses in NZ excluding house rent.
Feel free to mention any query in the comment section and we will be happy to answer your question. For help with university applications, students seeking to study abroad can contact our Shiksha Study Abroad Counsellors.
Q: How long can I stay in New Zealand on a Post Study Work Visa?
Q: What is the cost of living in New Zealand?
New Zealand offers an excellent work/life balance with a high quality of life. Cost of living in New Zealand for international students depends on their lifestyle and the location of their accommodation. However, listed below is a breakdown of the estimated expenses:
Type of Expenses | Cost |
|---|---|
Accommodation (per week) | NZD 140 – NZD 484 (INR 7,101 - 24,550) |
Entertainment (per week) | NZD 55 (INR 2,789) |
Food (per week) | NZD 80 – NZD 120 (INR 4,058 - 6,087) |
Electricity (per month) | NZD 200 – NZD 300 (INR 10,145 - 15,217) |
Transportation (per week) | NZD 37 (INR 1,876) |
Phone (per month) | NZD 19 (INR 963) |
Internet (per month) | NZD 90 (INR 4,565) |
Conversion Used: 1 NZD = INR 50.73
Q: Can I apply for study visa in New Zealand?
Here are the basic eligibility criteria to apply for NZ Study visa:
- Must have an admission letter from a university located in NZ
- You must prove you have enough funds to cover your tuition fee, living cost and return ticket.
- Must be mentally and physically fit.
- English language proficiency score to prove you can communicate in English.
- If you're under 18, you need proof of accommodation and a guardian's consent.
Q: Is New Zealand good for Indian students?
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?
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: What is it like to study at Lincoln University New Zealand?
Some of the reasons that make Lincoln University a good university to study are:
- The lecturers of the university are actively involved with the industry in the areas they teach. This means students can learn what is happening in the world right now
- The classes at the university are small. So, students can have interaction with other fellow students
- Many of the programs at the university have a strong component of practical experience
Also Read: Top 7 Reasons to Study in New Zealand
Q: What are the popular sectors that Indian students prefer for doing part-time jobs at Whitireia New Zealand?
Part-time work in fields like engineering, software development/programming, medicine, education, accounts, electrician, and automotive technician is preferred by Indian students in Whitireia New Zealand.While attending Whitireia, students can take use of a variety of chances in these fields to obtain work experience and cash.
Q: Why Indian students choose to study at Whitireia New Zealand?
- World-Class Education.
- Post-Study Work Rights..
- Financial Assistance.
- Study Abroad Opportunities.
- International Student Support.
- Diverse Student Community.
Raj Vimal has experience of 7+ years in SEO Content Writing, which includes 5+ years in the Ed-Tech industry. He has written articles about studying abroad, especially in the USA, UK, and other English-speaking coun... Read Full Bio
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According to the Immigration New Zealand, the duration of Post Study Work Visa is up to 3 years. It totally depends on the course you are enrolled in.
To stay longer in NZ, make sure you pursue a course which is one of the demanding programmes (Level 7) and develope required skills related to the desired job.