Printed from https://fyi.org.nz/request/33238-request-for-information-post-study-work-visa-onshore-offshore-and-2025-refugee-protection-claim-processing-timeframes on December 12, 2025 23:49

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Request for Information: Post-study Work Visa (Onshore/Offshore) and 2025 Refugee/Protection Claim Processing Timeframes

Laura made this Official Information request to Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment

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From: Laura

Dear Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment,

I am writing to request information under the Official Information Act 1982.

1）Application Location and Eligibility for a Post-study Work Visa
A person initially studied in New Zealand as an international student and subsequently lodged a refugee/protection claim in New Zealand. While a decision on that claim has not yet been made, the person has completed their studies in New Zealand and has been awarded an eligible qualification. Could you please advise:

①Before a decision is made on the refugee/protection claim, can the person apply for a Post-study Work Visa from within New Zealand? If not, what is the typical duration of the interim visa they would be granted?
②Can the person apply for a Post-study Work Visa from outside New Zealand (i.e., leave New Zealand first and then lodge the application offshore)?

2） Average or Indicative Processing Times in 2025 for Refugee/Protection Claims and Appeals
①In 2025, what is the average or indicative processing time from lodgement to decision for a refugee/protection claim?
②If the outcome proceeds to an appeal, what is the average or indicative processing time for the appeal stage?

Yours faithfully,

Laura

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From: Ministerials
Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment

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Kia ora Laura,
 
On behalf of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment I
acknowledge your email of 12/12/2025 requesting, under the Official
Information Act 1982, the following:
 
1）Application Location and Eligibility for a Post-study Work Visa
A person initially studied in New Zealand as an international student and
subsequently lodged a refugee/protection claim in New Zealand. While a
decision on that claim has not yet been made, the person has completed
their studies in New Zealand and has been awarded an eligible
qualification. Could you please advise:

①Before a decision is made on the refugee/protection claim, can the person
apply for a Post-study Work Visa from within New Zealand? If not, what is
the typical duration of the interim visa they would be granted?
②Can the person apply for a Post-study Work Visa from outside New Zealand
(i.e., leave New Zealand first and then lodge the application offshore)?

2） Average or Indicative Processing Times in 2025 for Refugee/Protection
Claims and Appeals
①In 2025, what is the average or indicative processing time from lodgement
to decision for a refugee/protection claim?
  ②If the outcome proceeds to an appeal, what is the average or indicative
processing time for the appeal stage?
 
We will endeavour to respond to your request as soon as possible, and no
later than 2/02/2026, being 20 working days after the day your request
was received. If we are unable to respond to your request by then, we will
notify you of an extension of that timeframe. Please note that the days
from 25 December 2025 to 15 January 2026 (inclusive) are defined as
non-working days in the Act and are not counted in the calculation for the
response due date. This will affect the time period for responding to your
request. If you have any enquiries regarding your request feel free to
contact us via email to [1][MBIE request email].
 
Nāku noa, nā
Ministerial Services
Strategy and Assurance
Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment
15 Stout Street, Wellington 6011 |  P O Box 1473 Wellington 6140

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