New Zealand Graduate Visa Application Process

The New Zealand graduate visa is a type of work visa that students who have completed their undergraduate or postgraduate studies in New Zealand can apply for.

The New Zealand graduate visa, which is issued for a period of 1, 2 or 3 years, can only be obtained by applicants who are enrolled in higher education programs in New Zealand. There are certain criteria that must be met by applicants for the New Zealand graduate visa application, and the visa period varies according to the criteria provided.

Who is Eligible for a New Zealand Graduate Visa?

The criteria to be met for the New Zealand graduate visa application have been changed as of 11 May 2022 and information is provided only for applications to be made after the changes on 11 May 2022.

In order to apply for a New Zealand graduate visa, education must be received in New Zealand and the education received must be level 4 or above within the New Zealand Qualification Criteria (NZQF).

What is NZQF (New Zealand Qualification Criteria)?

NZQF (New Zealand Qualifications Criteria) is a type of system in which people's competencies are scored in levels in the New Zealand education system. There are 10 levels in total within the NZQF. Levels 7 and above are NZQF levels that cover undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs. While NZQF levels 6 and 5 cover associate degree programs, level 4 covers only certificate programs. The difference between NZQF levels is the educational programs and the number of credits taken.

It is possible for people who have achieved a level 4 or higher qualification to apply for a New Zealand graduate visa. The visa period provided by New Zealand graduate visas is directly proportional to the applicant's level of education.

When to Apply for a New Zealand Graduate Visa?

If the applicant's education includes undergraduate and graduate programs, the New Zealand graduate visa application must be made no later than 3 months after the student visa expiration date. If the applicant's education is a doctorate, the New Zealand graduate visa application can be made no later than 6 months after the student visa expiration date. New Zealand is not currently accepting visa applications due to Covid-19 pandemic restrictions, but will begin accepting visa applications as of July 2022. New Zealand graduate visa applications cannot be made before July 2022.

How to Apply for a New Zealand Graduate Work Visa?

New Zealand graduate work visa applications can be completed physically or online through an intermediary application centre or accredited agencies.

For New Zealand graduate work visa applications to be made online, the type of work visa must be selected from the official website https://www.immigration.govt.nz/new-zealand-visas/apply-for-a-visa, the application button must be clicked on the page that opens, and a RealMe account must be created on the directed application website https://online.immigration.govt.nz/. For New Zealand graduate work visa applications to be made via the RealMe account, a credit or debit card, biometric photo and other supporting documents must be ready.

After creating a RealMe account for the New Zealand graduate work visa application, the necessary information must be entered, the required documents must be uploaded, then an appointment must be made from VFS Global to deliver the passport and application file, and the visa service fee must be paid; the application steps are completed by paying the visa service fee. Since the visa fee is paid via the website in online New Zealand graduate visa applications, only the visa service fee is paid at the application center.

For New Zealand graduate work visa applications, the application form must be downloaded and filled in physically, the necessary documents for the application must be prepared and submitted to the VFS Global visa application center during business hours or sent via e-mail or post. After the New Zealand visa application documents are submitted, an appointment must be made, the visa fee and visa service fee must be paid at the appointment and the application steps must be completed.

What are the Required Documents for New Zealand Graduate Visa?

The documents required for a New Zealand graduate visa are listed below.

New Zealand graduate visa application form: A New Zealand graduate visa application form is required, which must be filled out completely and accurately by the applicant, signed in wet ink, and with two biometric photographs attached to the first page.
Visa fee receipt: New Zealand new graduate visa fee must be paid.
Photo: Two colour passport photographs of the applicant, in accordance with passport standards, with a white background and not older than 6 months, are required.
Passport: The applicant must have a passport that is valid for at least 3 months after the New Zealand visa expiry date.
Medical report: Depending on the length of the applicant's stay in New Zealand and whether they have lived in or been in a country with a risk of tuberculosis for the past three months, they must submit medical documents such as a general medical report and a chest X-ray at the time of application.
Criminal record: A criminal record document is required to prove whether the applicant has a criminal record.
Job offer: A job offer letter written by the employer to the applicant is required, which includes the job scope, duration, employee information, workplace information, employer information and similar job details.
Proof of competencies relevant to the job offer: The applicant must submit documents proving that he/she has acquired the competencies required for the job.
Proof of experience relevant to the job offer: If the job the applicant will be working for requires experience, he/she must submit documents proving his/her previous work experience.
Proof of financial means: The applicant must prove financial means of at least NZD 4,200 by providing documentation such as a bank statement, credit card statement, bank draft or traveller's cheque.
Documentation of education completed in New Zealand: Applicants must provide evidence of any associate, bachelor's, master's, doctoral or certificate education completed in New Zealand.

How to Fill Out the New Zealand Graduate Visa Application Form?

The New Zealand graduate visa application form must be completed and signed by the applicant completely and accurately and handed over to the authorized person at the time of appointment. The New Zealand graduate visa application form must be completed online in English or printed out and signed by the applicant.

In the personal information section of the New Zealand graduate visa application form, 2 passport-sized photographs must be added, and the applicant's identity information, passport information and marital status must be written. In the contact information section of the New Zealand graduate visa application form, the applicant's contact information, if any, of relatives in New Zealand and, if assistance is received from a person during the application (lawyer, translator, agency representative, etc.) must be written.

In the health information section of the New Zealand graduate visa application form, it should be written whether the applicant has a disease, whether she will give birth in New Zealand, what necessary medical documents she needs to submit, whether she has added the necessary medical documents to the application file and how long she will stay. Depending on the length of stay, the medical report, x-ray and similar medical documents that need to be submitted vary. Applicants who want to give birth in New Zealand must also state in the application form how much the birth expenses will be and how these expenses will be covered.

The character information section of the New Zealand graduate visa application form should include information such as whether the applicant has committed a crime in previous trips abroad and whether they have been deported from the countries they have visited. The applicant's previous jobs, diplomas and certificates should be added to the job and competencies section of the New Zealand graduate visa application form. The job offer section of the New Zealand graduate visa application form should include the address and contact information of the job to be worked, the competency level, the code and the situations that will require the applicant to return to their home country after their job is finished.

What Should a Job Offer Look Like for a New Zealand Graduate Work Visa?

For a New Zealand graduate work visa, the job offer must be a written letter addressed by the employer, containing all the details of the job and clearly stating the offer.

For a New Zealand graduate work visa, the job offer must include the employer's name, surname, telephone number, e-mail address, and the name and address of the person who will work. The job description section, which includes the name of the job, the address of the workplace, the duties and responsibilities of the job, the qualifications and training required of the employee, whether or not they must reside in New Zealand, how long the job will last, and how long the job offer will be valid, must be included in all job offer letters.

What Proof of Financial Adequacy Should Be for a New Zealand Graduate Visa?

Applicants for a New Zealand graduate visa must prove that they have financial assets of at least NZD 4,200.

For the financial proof document required for the New Zealand graduate visa application; bank account statement, credit card statement, bank payment order or traveler's cheque can be used as evidence. The New Zealand graduate visa financial proof document must be equivalent to 4,200 NZD or more, regardless of the type of document it contains. Submission of the financial proof document at the time of application is mandatory for all New Zealand graduate visa applications issued for 1, 2 or 3 years.

What Should the Health Report Be for New Zealand Graduate Visa Application?

All applicants who will stay in New Zealand for more than 12 months must provide a medical report. New Zealand visa applicants who will stay less than 12 months must provide a chest X-ray or general medical report if they live in a country that is not at low risk of tuberculosis or have spent more than 3 months in a country that is not at low risk of tuberculosis in the last 5 years.

Although there is no obligation to submit a health report for a New Zealand visa application in some cases, it is possible for the relevant authorities to request a health report after the application if deemed necessary. Pregnant women and children under the age of 11 are not required to submit a health report unless otherwise requested.

There are 3 institutions in Turkey where a health report can be obtained for a New Zealand visa, 2 of which are in Ankara and the other in Istanbul. In Ankara, a New Zealand visa health report can be obtained from Doctor Lale Tuncel or Düzen Laboratories Group. In Istanbul, IOM MHAC is an authorized institution for a New Zealand visa health report.

How to Get a New Zealand Graduate Visa Appointment?

New Zealand graduate visa appointments are made through VFS Global. New Zealand visa appointments are not made in Istanbul or other cities, New Zealand visa appointments can only be made from the Ankara office.

After selecting the visa type online via the VFS Global website and completing the first application step, applicants must make an appointment at the Ankara office. It is very important for the applicant to choose the most suitable visa appointment date and time for themselves. After selecting the appointment date and time for the new graduate visa, an e-mail is sent to the applicant's e-mail for appointment confirmation. You must be at the visa center at least 15 minutes before the appointment. Only applicants are accepted to the New Zealand visa application center and children under the age of 18 are only allowed in if they come with their parents. Applicants who cannot be at the New Zealand visa application center at the appointment time can make another appointment, but only two visa appointments can be made. For a New Zealand visa, the visa fee receipt and other necessary visa documents must be submitted on the appointment day and biometric procedures must be completed.

How much does a New Zealand Graduate Work Visa cost?

For online New Zealand graduate visa applications, the visa fee is 495 NZD and the intermediary service fee is 168 Turkish lira. For physical applications, the New Zealand visa fee is 5,040 Turkish lira and the intermediary service fee is 208 Turkish lira.

The average cost of a 2022 graduate visa in New Zealand is $435, including visa application fee, travel health insurance, sworn translation, notary procedures and consultancy fees.

How to Make a New Zealand Graduate Visa Enquiry?

In New Zealand graduate visa applications made online, visa inquiries can be made through the application site with the RealMe account used for the application. In New Zealand graduate visa applications made through VFS Global, it is sufficient to enter the reference number on the receipt into the VFS Global visa tracking and inquiry system and check it for the visa inquiries. Since there is no RealMe account for New Zealand graduate visa applications made physically, transactions can only be made through the VFS Global visa tracking and inquiry system.

How Many Days Does It Take to Get a New Zealand Graduate Work Visa?

On average, 90% of New Zealand graduate visa applications are finalised within 60 days.

How Long Does a New Zealand Graduate Visa Last?

Depending on the NZQF (New Zealand Qualification Criteria) level, a New Zealand graduate visa can be issued for a period of 1 to 3 years.

The table below shows the New Zealand graduate visa periods that may be suitable according to NZQF (New Zealand Qualification Criteria) levels.

NZQF (New Zealand Qualifications Criteria) levels	Visa duration
Level 7 (People who have studied at least 30 weeks in undergraduate or higher education programs)	3 years
Level 7 (Those who have studied for at least 30 weeks and graduated from a full-time education program)	1 year (Additional 1 year for those in the registration process)
Level 7 (People studying for at least 30 weeks in a full-time education programme)	1 year
1 qualification at level 4-6 (people who have studied full-time for at least 60 weeks over a 2-year period)	1 year
2 competencies at levels 4-6 (People who have acquired at least 2 competencies and have received at least 30 weeks of training for each)	1 year

What Jobs Can You Work in New Zealand with a Graduate Visa?

People with a New Zealand graduate visa are not restricted in terms of the job they can work in. With a New Zealand graduate visa, people can choose the sector and job they want to work in. With a graduate visa, people who want to find employment in New Zealand can work in almost any job, but sexual exploitation for commercial purposes is not accepted.

The most developed sectors in New Zealand include the real estate and construction sectors, so the most workers are in demand for the real estate and construction sectors. The sectors with the most job opportunities and skilled worker shortages in New Zealand are construction, agriculture and real estate. The cities of Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Hamilton and Dunedin are the cities with the highest number of job postings in New Zealand. There are also many job opportunities in New Zealand for sales consultants, museum clerks, waiters, traffic control personnel and similar positions.

Can I Study in New Zealand with a Graduate Visa?

New Zealand graduate visa holders can attend training programs that last between 3 and 12 months. New Zealand graduate visa holders may also be required to attend other training courses due to their employment, depending on their employer and workplace.

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