According to the government, this change will provide students with greater flexibility in their academic choices while ensuring they remain eligible to work.
For many students, studying abroad is a dream realized, offering the chance to pursue higher education at top universities worldwide. As countries like Canada and Australia update their visa and immigration policies, students are increasingly exploring new opportunities.
New Zealand has recently updated its Post-Study Work Visa (PSWV) policy to ensure that students completing a Master’s degree after a Postgraduate Diploma retain their eligibility for the PSWV, as stated on the official website.
What Has Changed :
The New Zealand government now allows students who completed a 30-week Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) and then immediately advanced to a Master’s degree, without being enrolled in the Master’s program for 30 weeks, to apply for a Post-Study Work Visa (PSWV) based on their PGDip enrollment.
The government states that this change will offer students greater flexibility in their study paths while ensuring they remain eligible to work after completing their qualifications.
The government announced that students who complete a qualification eligible for a Post-Study Work Visa (PSWV) and then immediately pursue a higher-level qualification that does not meet PSWV criteria—such as not meeting the minimum study duration—will have 12 months from the end date of their student visa for the initial qualification to apply for a PSWV. To qualify for a 3-year PSWV, students must complete at least 30 weeks of full-time study in New Zealand, specifically enrolled in the Master’s program.
Requirements for Eligibility :
To qualify for a Post-Study Work Visa, applicants must have completed an eligible New Zealand qualification through full-time study in New Zealand, meet the required minimum study duration, and submit their application within the specified timeframe.
In addition, the following updates are being introduced to align the qualifications eligible for a Post-Study Work Visa (PSWV) :
- Post-Study Work Visa (PSWV) applicants eligible to teach at secondary schools are no longer required to hold a Bachelor’s degree in Science, Mathematics, Technology, or Pacific Languages.
- Graduates who have completed a graduate diploma and meet the Teaching Council’s registration criteria can now obtain a Post-Study Work Visa (PSWV) to work as a primary or intermediate school teacher.
- The New Zealand Diploma in Engineering (Level 6) with a specialization in Mechanical Engineering has been included, making Mechanical Engineering Technicians eligible for a Post-Study Work Visa (PSWV).
For further details, please refer to the official New Zealand government website.
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