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Changes to post-study work rights for international students
Changes for new applicants
Recently Immigration New Zealand announced new post-study work visa instructions that will take effect on the 26th of November 2018.
We recognise that any changes to immigration settings can be stressful for students so we wanted to give you an update on what these changes will mean for you.
If your application for a student visa was not yet accepted for processing by Immigration New Zealand prior to 8 August 2018, you will fall under the new post-study work visa instructions upon completion of your programme. The table below produced by Immigration New Zealand will outline these new post-study work entitlements for you.
Students studying Level 8 who intended to bring their partners to work or children with fee-free primary and secondary schooling
If you are intending to study the Post Graduate Diploma in Health Science or the Post Graduate Diploma in Applied Management at EIT and you have a partner or family you intend to bring with you, you may be concerned about how the changes around the eligibility of partner work visas and fee-free primary and secondary schooling. If you and your partner have your applications accepted by Immigration New Zealand before 26 November 2018, you will still be able to support your partner’s work visas.
If your visas are accepted for processing on or after 26 November 2018, you will only be able to support your partner if you are pursuing the Masters level qualification in your subject area.
Changes for students from visa waiver countries
NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority)
From 1 October 2019, some international visitors and transit passengers must have an NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority) before travelling to New Zealand.
This applies to travellers from visa waiver countries including students coming to New Zealand for short term English language courses, friends and relatives who visit students and education agents coming for a famil tour.
What is the NZeTA?
The NZeTA is a new border security measure being introduced by the New Zealand Government on 1 October 2019. Some travellers who are eligible to travel to New Zealand without a visa will be required to hold an NZeTA before their travel to New Zealand.
The NZeTA is not a visa and doesn’t guarantee entry to New Zealand. On arrival in New Zealand, travellers must still meet all existing entry requirements, such as holding an onward travel ticket, being a bona fide visitor and being in good health.
Who needs an NZeTA?
People are required to hold an NZeTA before travelling to New Zealand if they are:
• Travelling on a passport from a visa waiver country and do not hold a visa such as a student visa or visitor visa.
• An Australian permanent resident.
To see the full list of visa waiver countries, visit immigration.govt.nz/nzeta
As a visa waiver visitor, students can stay in New Zealand for up to three months, or six months if they are from the United Kingdom. Students wanting to stay longer still require a visa.
Students who are not from a visa waiver country are not eligible for an NZeTA, and will still need to hold a visa before travelling to New Zealand.
Who does not need an NZeTA?
Travellers do not need an NZeTA if they:
• Have a valid New Zealand visa such as a student visa or visitor visa.
• Are a New Zealand or Australian citizen.
For further information, visit immigration.govt.nz/nzeta or download the NZeTA information sheet.
Immigration
Full details of visa and permit requirements, advice on rights to employment in New Zealand while studying, and reporting requirements are available through the New Zealand Immigration Service website.
First time student visa application checklist
- Click here for an online checklist for students submitting a student visa application for the first time
Online student visa application – Submitted via Student Online by your provider
- Click here for the online student visa checklist – for applications submitted via Student Online and by your provider
- Click here for the online student visa application form
Online visa application
- Click here for the online student visa checklist
- Click here for the online student visa application form
Post study work visa application form, New Zealand Immigration Service website
- Click here for the post study work visa checklist
- Click here for the post study work visa application form