paid internships in new zealand for international students

Am I eligible to apply for an internship?

You are eligible to apply if

• You are a current student of a New Zealand university.
• You have an approved job offer from an eligible employer.
• You meet additional requirements, such as language and health.

What are the requirements to apply?

This program is available to New Zealand citizens or permanent residents who are currently enrolled in a degree-level course or higher at a New Zealand university or polytechnic. It is not open to international students.

If you’re a New Zealand citizen, you must be able to show valid proof of citizenship (usually a birth certificate) as well as your passport and/or driver’s license. If you’re applying for permanent residency, you’ll need to show that application as well as one of the following: birth certificate, citizenship certificate, passport, or Australian resident return visa. You will also need your student ID from the university where you are currently enrolled and completing studies toward an undergraduate or graduate degree.

Can I apply if I am studying by distance or correspondence?

You can apply for a paid internship if you are studying by distance or correspondence. You will need to meet the same eligibility criteria as other students and complete your internship in New Zealand.

You must be a student of an institution that is either:

• a New Zealand education provider listed on the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) website, including those who provide distance or correspondence study, or
• an overseas education provider with whom New Zealand has an agreement, such as the Australian Government’s Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Agreement.

What application material is required?

International applicants need to submit an online application form, along with copies of the following documents:

• The applicant’s official academic record/transcripts.
• Evidence of English proficiency (if required).
• A CV/resume and a letter of intent outlining the intended internship project and why you want to do it in New Zealand.
• A research proposal which shows you have a clear idea about the research work you intend doing during your internship period in New Zealand (required for Research Internships only). Your supervising professor and the university must approve this proposal before submission to New Zealand Internships. The final approved version needs to be submitted in PDF format no later than 3 months after arrival into New Zealand if requested by NZI; late submissions may result in an intern being deemed ineligible for an internship extension or renewal permit.
• Two reference letters from two referees who are not members of your immediate family, from either academia or professional experience (preferably one academic and one professional). All references must include full name, contact details and signature of referee on original letterhead paper or school/employer’s official email address

How long can my internship be?

As an intern in New Zealand on a work visa, you will be required to complete a minimum of 12 weeks of employment. However, you may be eligible for an extension if your internship is directly related to your degree and/or upcoming career. At the end of your internship you will be evaluated to ensure that your experience was productive and worthwhile.

If you already have significant professional experience or are taking an internship gap year prior to a postgraduate program, you may find that you can apply for fewer than 12 weeks of paid internship.

When can I start my internship?

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Where will my internship be located?

• Where will my internship be located?

Your internship can be anywhere in New Zealand. You can request a specific location, industry, business and/or job role, but as this is a student program you are more likely to be matched according to your preferences if you have selected “any”.

• Will I be able to choose where I want my internship to be located?

Yes. Although we cannot guarantee that you will receive one of your preferred regions, the closer your preference matches our available opportunities the higher chance you have of being allocated an internship close to where you wish it to be located.

Can I do an internship in a country other than New Zealand?

The answer is no. The internship visa allows you to do an internship in New Zealand only. You will have to apply for a different visa if you want to do your internship in another country.

How much does it cost to participate in the Internship Programme?

If you are offered an internship, your employer will pay you the minimum wage for the work you do.

Once your internship is over and you have completed it to the satisfaction of both your employer and immigration, then your fee will be refunded to you.

It’s important that both employers and interns know what their rights are under New Zealand law and what they can expect from each other.

You should also get a written agreement with your employer before starting work.

Your internship provider may ask you to pay a fee for arranging the internship on your behalf.

When is the deadline for applications?

Applications for paid internships in New Zealand have deadlines that fall in October, December and March. These are published on our website so make sure you check that out. Also ensure your application is complete with all the required documents. These must be valid and original, not photocopies. To submit an application online you will need to pay a non-refundable fee of 10 NZ Dollars (approximately 6 USD). The deadlines are usually two months before the start of the internship so don’t leave it too late!

The most important thing is to complete your application on time.

Every scholarship is different, so it’s important to read the fine print and find out when the application closes. For example, one of our scholarships has an early February deadline, while another closes in late March. Make sure you submit your application on time—it can be tempting to leave your applications until the last minute, but if you miss a deadline or get your application in late, you could miss out on that opportunity entirely.