Work rights are where New Zealand's rules have moved the most recently, so read this carefully and verify before you rely on it.
Working while you study
Eligible students can work up to 25 hours a week in term time (up from 20 hours, for visas granted from 3 November 2025) and full-time during scheduled breaks.
The Post Study Work Visa (PSWV)
| Qualification | PSWV length |
|---|---|
| Master's or Doctorate (30+ weeks in NZ) | Up to 3 years |
| Bachelor's / Level 7 or below | Only matches your study length |
This is the big catch. A standalone Bachelor's does not get the 3-year visa, you get a visa equal to how long you studied. If your goal is to stay and build a career, a Master's makes the post-study math far stronger.
What's changing in late 2026
From 16 November 2026:
- PSWV eligibility extends to some Level 7 graduate diploma holders who already hold a bachelor's
- A new 6-month Short-term Graduate Work Visa opens for job-hunting
Remember the job market is small, a work visa is permission to look, not a guaranteed job. Confirm current rules at immigration.govt.nz, and talk to a mentor who has navigated the NZ job hunt.