New Zealand Offers Open Work Visa For Former Post-Study Work Visa Holders

New Zealand has announced a 12-month Open Work Visa for previous holders of a post-study work visa who missed out because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The concession is part of a raft of measures unveiled by Immigration Minister Michael Wood in December to “further support New Zealand businesses through the global labour shortage and attract more high-skilled workers long term”.

Minister Wood said that the new Open Work Visa is available to around 1,800 former holders of the post-study work visas in 2020-2021 who are not already on another visa in New Zealand.

“We are authorising a 12-month open work visa for approximately 1,800 previous holders of post-study work visas who missed out because of the border closures in 2020 and 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic,”
Immigration Minister, Michael Wood

An ‘open’ work visa holder is allowed to work for any employer in New Zealand and visa applicants do not require an offer of employment.

New Zealand’s Post-Study Visa Updates

New Zealand opened its borders to international students last July.

The cost of studying in the country is much lower than that of countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom. In addition, New Zealand allows international students to work part-time to subsidise living expenses during their study abroad.

Recently, the government made changes to the post-study visa policy to ensure the country continues to attract what it terms “genuine students”.

Those enrolled in non-degree level courses will no longer gain post-study work rights, unless they are filling specified shortage and skilled occupations. It is also limiting the length of post-study work opportunities to mirror the length of their studies.

This means that students that have studied for 30 weeks in the country in other areas will no longer be eligible to work for up to three years in New Zealand. Masters and PhD students will retain the right to work in the country for up to three years after their studies. You can check the latest qualifications of Post Study Work Visa on the official website.

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