New Zealand offers a fast-track pathway for international students to migrate after completing a master’s degree. Compared to other English-speaking countries, New Zealand provides one of the shortest routes to residency. Specifically, you can become eligible for migration after spending just two to three years in the country—one to two years studying a master’s program and one year working full-time. Read on to learn the steps to migrate to New Zealand after graduating from a master’s program. 

Upon completing a master’s degree in New Zealand, regardless of the subject, you can apply for a Post-Study Work Visa. This visa allows you and your partner to live and work full-time in New Zealand for up to three years. Additionally, your children can attend New Zealand public schools at no cost. 

You must apply for the visa within three months after you have completed your qualification. You will also need to prove your qualification and provide evidence of sufficient funds (at least NZ$5,000) to support yourself after graduation.  

You can use 3 years of Post-Study Work Visa to gain relevant work experience in New Zealand. After accumulating enough 1 year of work experience, you may be eligible for a permanent visa in New Zealand.

Permanent Residency means you can live and work infinitely in New Zealand. You can also receive most of benefits of a New Zealand citizen. For example:  

• Access New Zealand’s public healthcare system, which provides you with free or heavily subsidised health services. 

• Can be qualified for various welfare benefits in New Zealand, like unemployment subsidy, family assistance, and pension when you are 65 years old or older.  

Option 1: Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) Visa 

Applicants need at least 6 points to be eligible for the SMC visa. Points are allocated based on one of the following categories, with any deficit made up through New Zealand work experience. Even with 6 points, a job offer and meeting the English language requirements are mandatory. 

• Points from Qualifications 

Points are awarded based on your highest qualification level and its New Zealand Qualification Framework (NZQA) equivalent. If you have graduated from a Master’s Degree in New Zealand, you will get 5 points. Your qualification does not necessarily relate with your work occupation. 

• Points from Work Experience 

You can gain additional points through skilled work experience in New Zealand. 

• 1 point per year of skilled work experience, up to a maximum of 3 points 

• Work experience must be in a full-time job (minimum 30 hours per week) and meet wage thresholds based on the ANZSCO level of the job. 

Based on the current point score system, the easiest way to get an SMC visa is to have completed your master’s degree (5 points) and then get 1-year full-time job (1 point), then you will have enough 6 points.  

 

Option 2: Green List – Fast track pathway to permanent residency  

• What is the Green List? 

The Green List comprises occupations eligible for an expedited route to residency or a work-to-residence pathway. The list includes a variety of roles, such as health workers, veterinarians, engineers, and ICT specialists. Some positions require a minimum salary tied to the median wage, with higher thresholds for specific roles. 

• How Does the Green List Benefit You? 

If your profession is on the Green List and you possess the necessary qualifications, registration, or experience, you may qualify for residence status immediately or after two years of working in New Zealand.  

• Fast-Track Pathways to Residence 

To attract skilled migrants, New Zealand offers two fast-track visa pathways through the Green List: the Straight to Residence Visa and the Work to Residence Visa. 

• • The Straight to Residence Visa 

This visa provides a direct route to permanent residency in New Zealand. You may be eligible if you currently work for, or have a job offer from, an accredited employer and your role is on Tier 1 of the Green List. Key criteria include: 

• • • Being 55 or younger. 

• • • Having a job offer from an accredited employer. 

• • • Meeting the role requirements set out in the Green List. 

• • • Including any dependent children under 24 who are single and financially supported by you. 

You can apply for this visa either from within New Zealand or from abroad. Immigration New Zealand aims to process 80% of applications within five months. 

• • The Work to Residence Visa 

This visa allows you to gain residence after working for two years in a Tier 2 Green List role. Key criteria include: 

• • • Having a job offer from an accredited employer. 

• • • Working full-time in a permanent or fixed-term role for at least 12 months. 

• • • Completing 24 months of work in a Tier 2 Green List role. 

• • • Including your partner or children in your application if they have or are applying for visas based on their relationship with you. 

Having qualifications and work experience that align with occupations on the Green List is highly beneficial for international students who wish to migrate to New Zealand. Therefore, before enrolling in a master’s program in New Zealand, it’s advisable to research which study programs can lead to careers listed on the Green List and which education providers in New Zealand are the best for those programs. Contact SOL Edu on 07 3003 1899 or [email protected] for free consultation and free admissions processes.