Can I get the New Zealand 1-year post-study work visa with my Level 7 Graduate Diploma but no bachelor degree?
Without a bachelor's degree, you can typically get the 1-year post-study work visa after a Level 7 Graduate Diploma only if your course is on New Zealand's Green List (Appendix 13). A course missing from that list leaves only the 6-month Short-term Visa. Check official rules.
With a Level 7 Graduate Diploma but no bachelor's degree, the answer typically depends on the Green List. Your course must be on New Zealand's Green List (Appendix 13) to qualify for the 1-year visa.
Your Options by Situation
| Situation | Typical outcome |
|---|---|
| Level 7 Graduate Diploma plus a bachelor's degree (can be from an Indian university) | 1-year work visa; show your degree and transcripts |
| Level 7 Graduate Diploma, no bachelor's degree, course on the Green List | 1-year work visa possible |
| Level 7 Graduate Diploma, no bachelor's degree, course not on the Green List | Only the 6-month Short-term Visa |
Rules to Remember
- Each of these visas can be held only once in your lifetime, so you cannot get another if you already have a Post-Study Work Visa.
- For a short course, confirm beforehand that it leads to the 1-year visa or to a Green List job.
- Visa rules change, so confirm everything on the official New Zealand immigration page.
My Advice
Before you enroll, check whether your Graduate Diploma appears on the Green List (Appendix 13). If you have no bachelor's degree and the course is not listed, plan for the shorter visa or pick a different course.
How long can you stay and work after a NZ master's?
Post-study work rules are changing. Know what you will actually get.
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