Visa
New Zealand post-study work visa for Nepali students: eligibility, 1-3 year durations, NZD 5,000 funds, 16 Nov 2026 changes, partner work rights and Green List.
"If I study in New Zealand, can I stay and work after graduation, and for how long?" This is one of the first questions Nepali students and parents ask when they compare New Zealand with Australia or the UK. This guide explains the New Zealand post-study work visa for Nepali students: who qualifies, how long the visa lasts, what changes on 16 November 2026, how partners and children are treated, and how post-study work can connect to residence through the Green List. Every rule below comes from Immigration New Zealand (INZ). Fees, processing times and rules can change, so always confirm the current details on immigration.govt.nz before you apply.
The Post-Study Work Visa (PSWV) lets international graduates stay and work in New Zealand for up to three years after finishing an eligible New Zealand qualification. INZ says it can lead to a resident visa, but it is not residence by itself. You do not need a job offer to apply.
Two points matter from the start. First, you can only hold a PSWV once in your life, even if you later study at a higher level. Second, eligibility depends on the qualification you study in New Zealand and how long you study it, so the course you choose in Nepal today decides your options after graduation.
You must have recently finished studying in New Zealand and hold one of the following:
Degree-level pathway: a Level 7 bachelor's degree, or a Level 8 to 10 qualification (postgraduate diploma, master's or doctorate), studied full-time in New Zealand for at least 30 weeks. This gives open work rights: you can work for almost any employer, in any job, anywhere in New Zealand, as long as the work is legal and you hold any required occupational registration.
Non-degree pathway: a Level 4 to 7 qualification that is on INZ's list of qualifications eligible for a Post-Study Work Visa, studied full-time in New Zealand for the full duration. The list is narrow and focused on areas such as construction, civil and other engineering, quantity surveying, teaching, dairy farming and automotive trades. Your visa will require you to work in a job related to what you studied.
You must also be in good health, be of good character, have genuine intentions and show you can support yourself.
Master's degree or doctorate: if you studied at least 30 weeks full-time in New Zealand, you can get a three-year PSWV. For a master's, the 30 weeks must be spent in the master's programme itself; INZ says transferred credits, cross-crediting and recognition of prior learning do not count.
Postgraduate diploma (Level 8): INZ says an eligible postgraduate diploma may lead to a one-year PSWV.
Bachelor's degree and other qualifications at Level 8 or below: INZ generally gives a visa equal to the time you spent studying for the qualification, as confirmed by your provider, up to the three-year maximum.
Failing or extending your course: failing papers or taking longer than your offer of place states does not make your visa longer.
Credit transfer trap: if you finish a postgraduate diploma and then move into a master's using credits from the diploma, INZ says you may only get a one-year PSWV based on the diploma. Discuss credit transfers with a counsellor before you accept them.
INZ announced two changes on 10 September 2026 that take effect on Monday 16 November 2026.
Graduate diploma holders with a bachelor's degree: a Level 7 graduate diploma studied full-time in New Zealand for its full duration, without cross-crediting or recognition of prior learning, can qualify for a PSWV of up to one year with open work rights if you also hold a bachelor's degree. The degree can be from New Zealand or overseas, including Nepal, with no time limit on when it was awarded. INZ says an International Qualification Assessment is not needed, but it may check authenticity.
New Short-Term Graduate Work Visa: graduates of a Level 5 to 7 qualification (not English, foundation or bridging) studied full-time for at least 24 weeks, who are not eligible for a PSWV, can apply for six months of open work rights to look for a job. You must work for an employer and cannot own a business, and you cannot support a partner's work visa on it. You can only hold it once, and holding it closes the door to a later PSWV unless you return to study an eligible higher qualification.
Online-only applications: from 16 November 2026, INZ will no longer accept paper PSWV applications. Applications go through its enhanced Immigration Online system.
Deadlines: apply no later than three months after your student visa expires. Doctoral graduates have six months and can apply after submitting their thesis. If you finish an eligible qualification and then complete a higher qualification in under 30 weeks, you can apply on the first qualification within 12 months of that first student visa ending. Stay on a valid visa at all times; INZ normally issues an interim visa if your student visa expires while you wait.
Money: you need at least NZD 5,000 in total, usually shown through bank statements in your name. This amount is the same for a one, two or three-year visa, and INZ may ask to see it when you arrive.
Documents: a passport valid for at least three months beyond your planned departure, a photo, and your qualification certificate, academic transcript or completion letter from your provider. Police certificates are needed if you are 17 or older and your total time in New Zealand will reach 24 months, unless you gave INZ certificates in the last 24 months. INZ may ask for a chest X-ray or medical examination and will email you if it does.
English: INZ does not list a separate English test for the PSWV, because you have already studied in New Zealand. Residence visas do have English requirements, so keep your IELTS or PTE skills strong; our IELTS vs PTE guide compares the two tests.
Fees and timing: INZ currently shows the PSWV cost as from NZD 1,670 and processing as 80% of decisions within 3 weeks. Check the exact fee on the day you apply.
On a PSWV you can normally support a Partner of a Worker Work Visa, which gives your partner open work rights for the same length as your visa. You must both be at least 18 and show you live together in a genuine and stable relationship, and your partner needs your signed support form. INZ currently lists this visa as from NZD 1,630 with 80% of decisions within 5 weeks. Your dependent children can apply for student visas. Family visas expire when your work visa does.
Important exception: you cannot support a partner work visa if your own visa is for six months or less. That includes the new Short-Term Graduate Work Visa.
If your partner is coming while you study, our New Zealand student visa from Nepal guide explains which courses allow a Partner of a Student Work Visa.
A PSWV gives you time to build New Zealand work experience. Common residence routes include:
Green List Tier 1 (Straight to Residence): if you work in, or are offered, a Tier 1 Green List job with an accredited employer and meet its qualification, registration and pay rules, you may be able to apply for residence straight away.
Green List Tier 2 (Work to Residence): Tier 2 roles need 24 months of work in that role in New Zealand, within the 30 months before you apply, at the required wage.
Skilled Migrant Category (SMC): this points-based route needs six points from your qualification, income or New Zealand occupational registration, and can add up to three points for skilled New Zealand work experience. You need a job or offer from an accredited employer.
Residence visas generally require you to be 55 or younger and meet English, health and character rules. No course guarantees residence, so choose your study area for genuine career reasons and check the Green List before you enrol.
New Zealand: up to three years after a master's with at least 30 weeks of study, and NZD 5,000 in funds.
Australia: the Subclass 485 has its own age limit and study requirements; see our 485 visa guide.
UK: the Graduate route works differently; see our UK student visa from Nepal guide.
Pick a qualification that is PSWV-eligible before you apply for your student visa
For a master's, make sure you will study at least 30 weeks in the master's itself
Think carefully before accepting credit transfers
Keep NZD 5,000 aside for the end of your course
Note your student visa expiry date and apply well within three months
Use part-time work while studying to build New Zealand references
Budget realistically; our education loan in Nepal guide explains loan documents (written for Australia, but very similar)
If you study a master's full-time in New Zealand for at least 30 weeks, INZ says you can get a three-year PSWV. A postgraduate diploma usually gives one year.
No. INZ allows only one PSWV per person, even if you later study a higher qualification.
No. Degree-level graduates get open work rights without a job offer. Non-degree graduates on the eligible list must work in a job related to their study.
Usually yes. Your partner can apply for a Partner of a Worker Work Visa with open work rights for the same length as your visa, if your relationship meets INZ rules.
Everest Global Education helps Nepali students choose New Zealand courses with their post-study goals in mind. We check PSWV eligibility, course length and credit transfers, prepare student visa and FTS documents, and offer IELTS and PTE preparation, always checked against current INZ guidance.
Kathmandu: Putalisadak, Opposite of MIT College
Pokhara: Pushpa Ratna Bhawan Siddharthachowk-4, Pokhara 33700
Beni: New Road Beni bazar Myagdi
Dhangadhi: Boradadi Road, Dhangadhi 10900
Janakpur: Girija Path Muralichowk Janakpur
Perth (Australia): 102 James St, Northbridge WA 6003
Sydney (Australia): Level 1 / 483 Princes Highway, Rockdale, NSW 2216
Share your academic transcripts, English score, preferred course and career goals, and we will help you map a New Zealand study plan that keeps your post-study work options open.
Submit an enquiry at https://everestglobaledu.com/enquiry and our team will contact you by phone or email.
Everest Global Education
Phone: +61 8 6157 0080
Email: info@everestglobal.com
Website: https://everestglobaledu.com/
Share this post
The latest news, technologies and resources from our team.
View all
