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Short-Term Graduate Work Visa or Post-Study Work Visa? A Ugandan student's guide to New Zealand's two routes

Visa guide · 2026-09-23 · 4 min read

New Zealand is changing what happens after study for international graduates. From November 16, 2026, a new Short-Term Graduate Work Visa and a widened Post-Study Work Visa (PSWV) start. If you are a Ugandan student in New Zealand, or you are planning to go from Kampala or Entebbe, use the steps below to see where you might fit.

Step one: find your qualification level

Everything depends on where your course sits on the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF). A level 5-7 qualification, such as a diploma or certificate, points to the new short-term visa. A level 7 Graduate Diploma, held together with a bachelor's degree, points to the PSWV. Graduates of English-language, foundation and bridging courses are not eligible for the short-term visa.

Step two: check the short-term visa conditions

1. You studied full-time in New Zealand for at least 24 weeks.
2. You are not already eligible for a PSWV.
3. You have never held this visa or a PSWV before.
4. You can show at least NZD 5,000 in available funds.
5. If you studied under the New Zealand Scholarship Programme, you have sign-off from MFAT or Education New Zealand, where applicable.
6. You provide medical and chest X-ray clearance if it is required for your length of stay.

The visa gives up to six months of open work rights, which is time to look for a job, build local experience and possibly move to an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV). You cannot own a business, and family cannot join you as dependants, though they may apply separately as visitors or under other categories.

Step three: check the PSWV changes

A Graduate Diploma at level 7 now counts, as long as you also have a bachelor's degree from New Zealand or overseas, however long ago. You must have studied the diploma full-time from start to finish, with no cross-crediting or recognition of prior learning. Bring the bachelor's certificate and an official academic transcript. A separate International Qualification Assessment is not needed for an overseas bachelor's degree, though Immigration New Zealand may still verify it. The visa length follows your diploma study time and stops at one year. Partners and dependent children can apply on their own visas.

Step four: count the months

Windows are strict: three, six or twelve months after your student visa expires, depending on the pathway and course. The new short-term visa must be lodged within three months, so anyone whose student visa expired before August 16, 2026 has already missed it. Both visas are single-use, and from November 16, 2026 every application goes through the upgraded Immigration Online platform. Paper PSWV applications sent on or before November 15, 2026 are processed the old way.

Step five: prepare your own paperwork

Gather your results, transcripts, funds evidence and passport. Your UNEB records and Directorate of Industrial Training (DIT) certificates may be useful context, but a Ugandan qualification never automatically equals a New Zealand registration or licence, so check each role's requirements. Plan your job search early with a strong CV; Build AI CV can help. For employment options, see open roles, and read how student visas are reshaping New Zealand migration and the trades and technician pathway.

Common mistakes Ugandan students make

• Not knowing the NZQCF level of the course until after graduation.
• Counting the wrong end date for the window.
• Expecting family to travel on the short-term visa.
• Paying a person who is neither a licensed immigration adviser nor lawfully exempt.

Frequently asked questions

How long does the new visa last?

Up to six months of open work rights.

Can I extend it?

No. It is strictly single-use, with no renewals.

Who can apply for the widened PSWV?

Graduates of a level 7 Graduate Diploma who also hold a bachelor's degree.

Do paper applications still work?

Only if sent on or before November 15, 2026, and after that it is online only.

Where do I check eligibility?

On the official Immigration New Zealand website, with a licensed adviser if needed.

Key takeaways

• Check your NZQCF level first, then your visa route.
• The short-term visa needs NZD 5,000 and 24 weeks of full-time study.
• Windows run three, six or twelve months from student visa expiry.
• Both visas are one-shot opportunities.

#new zealand graduate visa #uganda students #short-term graduate work visa #pswv #study abroad