Post Study Work — Informational Verified 2026-04-19New Zealand Post Study Work Visa — Informational
Critical bridge visa after completing qualifying NZ course. Up to 3 years open work rights. NZD 1,670. Only one PSWV per lifetime. Gateway to AEWV and PR.
No visa is ever guaranteed — the final decision always rests with the New Zealand visa authority. We make sure your file is presented at its strongest.
Most Indian students apply for PSWV directly after graduation through their education provider's international office or an IAA-licensed adviser. We include this as reference for students planning their post-study pathway.
New Zealand for Indian applicants — handled by SureshotVisa
Three NZ rules every Indian applicant gets wrong. We don't.
India is not NZeTA-eligible. There's no Working Holiday Scheme with NZ. And the Funds Transfer Scheme — open to only four countries including India — is a legitimate edge for student cases. We file Visitor, Business, Medical, Transit, Student & Pathway visas end-to-end. Most India-based decisions are made by INZ Mumbai branch — timelines we know down to the week.
1,200+ approved
Across every visa category we handle at SureshotVisa — measurable, repeatable wins.
Indian-licensed
Brand of Pro Lifeset Overseas Pvt Ltd — registered, accountable, end-to-end handling in India.
FTS for students
We lodge with INZ's Funds Transfer Scheme so student living-cost evidence is bank-grade.
Refusal recovery
Refused before? We rebuild the file with India-specific evidence INZ actually accepts.
Three NZ rules Indians keep getting wrong (and we navigate every week)
- NO NZeTA for Indians. The visa-waiver list does NOT include India. You need a full visitor / student / work visa — never an eTA.
- NO Working Holiday Scheme. India and NZ don't have a bilateral agreement. Don't waste weeks researching this — work routes for Indians are AEWV, Specific Purpose, or Care Workforce W2R, all handled by IAA-licensed NZ advisers.
- FTS works in your favour for students. India is one of only four countries on INZ's Funds Transfer Scheme — a secure, INZ-endorsed way to transfer student living costs. Used correctly, it's the strongest financial-evidence move on Student / Pathway / English visas.
Note: SureshotVisa handles NZ Visitor, Business, Medical, Transit, Student & Pathway categories end-to-end. Work and residence pathways (AEWV, Skilled Migrant, Green List, Parent, Investor) are decided under NZ law that requires an Immigration Advisers Authority (IAA) licensed adviser — we'll point you to a trusted one if that's your case.
Processing
Varies by visa category — Visitor 80% in 2 weeks; Business Visitor 1 week; Student 8 weeks; Post Study Work 4 weeks; AEWV 6 weeks; SMC/Green List 6-12 months
Stay Duration
Up to 3 years (once per lifetime)
Starting Fee
NZD 850
Apply At
12 VFS centres
Who Can Apply
- Completed qualifying NZ qualification (typically level 7+ full-time for 30+ weeks)
- Apply within 3 months of student visa expiry (6 months for PhD)
- Minimum NZD 5,000 available funds
- Good health + character
What it costs
Government & VFS fees
Paid directly to New Zealand / VFS — these are not our service fee, and we never mark them up.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Fee Paying Student Visa | NZD 850 |
| Pathway Student Visa (up to 3 consecutive courses) | NZD 850 |
| English Language Student Visa | NZD 850 |
| Post Study Work Visa | NZD 1,670 |
All NZ visa fees are set in NZD by Immigration New Zealand and paid online at apply.immigration.govt.nz. The INR amount depends on NZD/INR exchange rate on payment day. Additional costs: medical/TB X-ray at INZ Panel Physician (₹6,000-12,000), Police Clearance Certificate (free from PSK but courier/apostille extra), NZQA International Qualifications Assessment (NZD 746 if below-bachelor), translation, biometrics, and Immigration Levy (separate from base fee). Non-refundable regardless of outcome. From late 2026, eligibility extends to students with Level 7 Graduate Diploma in NZ plus a bachelor's (NZ or overseas).
What to gather
Documents required
Having a document isn't the same as presenting it right — that's the part we handle.
Overview — informational reference
5 items- NZ qualification certificate / final transcriptsRequired
- Student visa + residence recordRequired
- NZD 5,000 funds evidenceRequired
- Passport + photoRequired
- Medical/police checks if required
Required · optional / if applicable
The journey.
5 steps from intake to approval. Curved spine on the right shows the natural pace — never as linear as government sites pretend.
- 01
Complete qualifying NZ course
Level 7+ typically; 30+ weeks full-time.
- 02
Apply within 3 months of student visa expiry
6 months for PhD. Online at apply.immigration.govt.nz.
- 03
Pay NZD 1,670 + biometrics if needed
Standard NZ visa fee flow.
- 04
Decision ~4 weeks for 80%
Digital eVisa with open work rights.
- 05
Use PSWV period to secure AEWV role
Ideal time to get an accredited employer job offer and transition to AEWV/Green List.
Download official forms
Official forms are hosted by VFS Global — we don't host third-party forms ourselves, so you always get the latest version.
How to download from VFS:
- Click the form name below — opens the official VFS Global page for New Zealand
- Select the visa category you're applying for (e.g. Tourist, Business, Student)
- Scroll down to the "Download Form" section at the bottom
- Click the PDF icon next to the form name → saves to your device
Immigration NZ Online Application Portal
Create a RealMe account or Immigration Online account. All NZ visas for Indian applicants are lodged here online.
Immigration New Zealand — Official Visa Information
Authoritative source for all NZ visa categories, fee updates, and occupation/wage thresholds (which change frequently).
VFS Global NZ — Biometrics & Document Submission (India)
Where Indian applicants submit biometrics, book appointments, and track passport delivery.
INZ Panel Physicians — Medical Examination (India)
Only INZ Panel Physicians' medical reports are accepted — e-medical system. Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, and others.
NZQA International Qualifications Assessment
Required for below-bachelor foreign qualifications applying for work/residence visas. NZD 746 fee.
Green List Occupations (current)
Check if your occupation is Tier 1 (straight to residence) or Tier 2 (work to residence). Updated frequently — verify before applying.
Immigration Advisers Authority (IAA) Register
Check if your advisor is IAA-licensed BEFORE paying for immigration advice. Critical for avoiding scams.
VFS application centres
Quiz not yet available for this visa type
We're actively building per-visa quizzes. For now, the best way to assess your eligibility for New Zealand Post Study Work Visa — Informational is a free 1-on-1 consultation with our team.
Free · No obligation · Reply in minutesFrequently asked
Questions, answered straight
No — once per lifetime. Use it strategically.
AEWV (NZ accredited employer job offer) → after 24 months skilled work (Green List Tier 2) or via SMC points → Resident Visa → PR.
NZ work and residence categories (AEWV, Skilled Migrant, Green List, Parent) require ongoing engagement with NZ employers' accreditation, Job Check approvals, occupation-specific registration, and NZQA qualification assessments. NZ law also requires paid immigration advice (other than for student visas) to come from Immigration Advisers Authority (IAA) licensed advisers or NZ-qualified lawyers. SureshotVisa specialises in short-stay visit, business, and student visa applications — please consult an IAA-licensed NZ immigration adviser or lawyer for these categories.
Still have a question about your case? Ask us directly — we usually reply in 5 minutes.
This page is for information only
SureshotVisa does not process this visa category. For other New Zealand visa types we can help with — Tourist, Visitor, Business, Student, or Family Reunification — see the related visa types below.
Other New Zealand Visa Types
New Zealand Visitor Visa (Tourism / Family Visit)
The main tourism and family-visit visa for Indian citizens. Up to 6 months multi-entry or 9 months single-entry. NZD 441. 80% decided in 2 weeks.
View guideNew Zealand Business Visitor Visa
For Indian professionals visiting NZ for business meetings, negotiations, conferences, or consultations. NZD 341. Up to 3 months in any 12-month period. Cannot take up NZ employment.
View guideNew Zealand Medical Treatment Visitor Visa
For Indian patients travelling to NZ for private medical treatment or consultation. NZD 441. Requires NZ hospital/specialist letter + funds for treatment + stay.
View guideNew Zealand Transit Visa
For Indian travellers passing through Auckland airport en route to a third country for up to 24 hours. Free or nominal fee.
View guideNew Zealand Culturally Arranged Marriage Visitor Visa
For Indian citizens coming to NZ to marry their NZ citizen/resident fiancé(e) in an arranged marriage — within 3 months of arrival. Pathway to Partnership Resident Visa.
View guideNew Zealand Fee Paying Student Visa
Main study visa for Indian students pursuing full-time courses at approved NZ education providers. NZD 850. Up to 4 years per visa. Work rights up to 25 hrs/week during term. Gateway to PR.
View guideNew Zealand Pathway Student Visa
A single visa covering up to 3 consecutive study programmes (e.g. English → Foundation → Bachelor's). Valid up to 5 years. NZD 850. Saves money vs 3 separate student visas.
View guideNew Zealand Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) — Informational
The main NZ work visa — requires job offer from accredited employer meeting pay/hours thresholds. NZD 1,540. Up to 5 years. Leads to PR via SMC or Green List.
View guideSource & Disclaimer
Data on this page is sourced from the official VFS Global New Zealand website and Embassy of New Zealand. Last verified 2026-04-19. Always verify with the official embassy before applying — fees and requirements change without notice.