International FAQs

How fast you will find work depends on your background, skills and ability to adapt to the New Zealand job market.  Some students and their spouses walk straight into jobs; others take longer to find employment. 

Before you start looking for work, it is imperative that you attend the employment workshops SIT runs for international students.  These workshops will provide you with essential information to help your employment search in New Zealand. 

Some students have ignored our advice and have then struggled to find work.  It is important that you attend our employment workshop to learn what not to do when looking for work in New Zealand.

SIT provides comprehensive job search assistance, whether you are a student or a graduate.  In addition to regular employment workshops, our dedicated international employment officer offers one-on-one assistance to help find employment opportunities. This includes help to rewrite your curriculum vitae to suit the New Zealand employment context and tips on searching for work and job interviews.  You will also regularly receive information on job opportunities direct to your inbox. 

SIT job search assistance is available for current students, their spouses, and SIT graduates.

On a student visa, you can work up to 20 hours per week during semester time.  At the end of year summer holidays (December – February), you can work full-time on your student visa. 

Refer to Immigration New Zealand for the specific requirements about working while studying. 

Yes – if you are onsite and renewing your visa, you can book an appointment and we can help you in person. 

If you are not yet in Invercargill please see our visa guide.  If you still have queries you can email us.

For children over 5 wishing to attend school in New Zealand, you should apply for a student visa.  If they are first issued a visitor visa, they are permitted to do a maximum of 12 weeks study and then change to a student visa. If your child is under 5, a visitor's visa is sufficient.

You can support your partner’s work visa application if you are studying a Level 7 or 8 qualification provided the qualification is specified on the Long Term Skill Shortage List, or a Level 9 or 10 qualification. If your partner has dependent children, they will be eligible for fee-free primary and secondary schooling.

Please refer to Immigration New Zealand’s website for further information:

https://www.immigration.govt.nz/new-zealand-visas/apply-for-a-visa/tools-and-information/support-family/student-visa-holder-supporting-visas-for-family

You may be eligible for a post-study work visa if you have completed a programme of study that results in:

• A qualification at level 7 on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework that you have studied for at least 30 weeks in New Zealand; or
• One qualification at levels 4-6 on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework that you have studied for at 60 weeks in New Zealand; or
• Two qualifications at levels 4-6 on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework that you have studied for at 30 weeks each in New Zealand (a total of 60 weeks, where the second qualification is of a higher level than the first).

Visa duration:

• The open post-study work visa will be granted for one, two, or three years, or for the remainder of the time left on your visa if you hold an existing employer-assisted visa.
• The duration depends on various things, including the level of the qualification you have gained and where you completed your qualification.

Please refer to Immigration New Zealand’s website for further information:

https://www.immigration.govt.nz/new-zealand-visas/apply-for-a-visa/visa-factsheet/post-study-work-visa

Simply follow our helpful step-by-step guide here.  As long as you meet the requirements, it can be a straightforward process.

Generally, if you plan to study at SIT for more than three months, you need to apply for a Student Visa from Immigration New Zealand.  Find out more from Immigration New Zealand.