In a move to offer more opportunities for international students, New Zealand has announced significant updates to its Post Study Work Visa eligibility criteria.
According to a recent announcement by Immigration NZ, international students who study for a postgraduate diploma for 30 weeks and transfer to a Master’s degree immediately afterwards are now eligible for a PSW visa.
This update is designed to provide students with more flexibility in their course of study and ensure they can stay in New Zealand to work following their qualification.
“Students who studied a Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) for 30 weeks and immediately progressed to a Master’s degree, but were not enrolled in the Masters for 30 weeks, are now eligible to apply for a Post Study Work visa (PSWV) based on their PGDip enrolment,” read the statement by Immigration NZ.
For students who have completed an eligible qualification but then pursued a higher-level qualification that does not meet the PSWV requirements (such as the course length not meeting the required minimum duration), there is now a grace period.
“With this welcoming change, students who enrol in a master’s qualification immediately after completing a postgraduate diploma retain their eligibility for a post-study work visa, making the policy more supportive,” said Vijeta Kanwar, Director of Operations, New Zealand Gateway.
According to Kanwar, these rules apply to a diverse range of courses and aim to attract quality students and skilled professionals for high-demand occupations.
“These changes should have happened earlier since they facilitate skilled individuals to stay and work in New Zealand. The new changes will also see increased interest in the country among students from India and South Asia,” stated Kanwar.
Universities are also optimistic about the new rules, considering nearly half of all international students pursue postgraduate qualifications in NZ.
“By recognizing the PGDip as a standalone qualification for the Post Study Work Visa, the government is acknowledging the valuable skills and knowledge students gain through their studies and offering them a clear pathway to work experience,” said Riddhi Khurana, country advisor for South Asia, supporting the University of Otago at Onestep Global.
“At the University of Otago, we are excited to welcome these students and are fully committed to supporting them throughout their academic and professional journeys.”
This adjustment is set to make New Zealand an even more attractive destination, particularly for students from India and South Asia.
To qualify for a three-year PSW visa, students must complete at least 30 weeks of full-time study in New Zealand while enrolled in a Master’s degree program.
Amid policy changes in other major study destinations, New Zealand is gaining favour with potential international students.
Over 69,000 international students studied in New Zealand in 2023, up 67% from 2022.
Moreover, a recent survey revealed that the majority of the students rate New Zealand positively.
Amid policy changes in other major study destinations, New Zealand is gaining favour with potential international students
Nearly nine out of 10 international students rated the country as a positive study destination, with the highest proportion of students to date rating it as ‘excellent’.
Despite its increasing popularity, some of its major international student source countries are seeing rising visa refusal rates.
Immigration NZ rejected almost half of all study visa applications from India in the first four months of 2024, with many universities raising concerns over the same as previously reported by The PIE News.
