New Zealand is known for its education system and welcoming environment. It is a popular destination for international students, with universities offering programs across business, science, the arts, and other fields. Students can also explore a wide range of subjects and programs before deciding what to study.
Most international students who plan to study in New Zealand for more than three months need a student visa. Students taking one or more approved short courses for up to three months may be able to study on a visitor or work visa, depending on their circumstances and visa conditions. This article explains the student visa application process and the important details you should check before applying.
Steps on Applying for a Zealand Student Visa
Step 1. Choose the Appropriate Type of Visa to Apply For
New Zealand offers several visas for international students, so it is important to select the one that matches your circumstances and intended course of study.
The most common option for international students is the Fee Paying Student Visa, which allows eligible students to study full-time for up to four years. Other options include the Pathway Student Visa, Dependent Child Student Visa, Exchange Student Visa, English Language Student Visa, Vocational Trainee Student Visa, NZ Government Scholarship Student Visa, and Foreign Government Supported Student Visa. Review the current list of student visas to find the option that applies to you.
The appropriate visa is not determined by whether your course lasts less or more than six months. Most international students studying for more than three months need a student visa, while shorter study may be permitted on another visa, depending on its conditions.
Once you have identified the correct visa, follow the application process and requirements listed by Immigration New Zealand for that specific visa.
Step 2. Check If You Meet the Requirements
Check the eligibility requirements for your chosen visa before applying. For a Fee Paying Student Visa, these generally include an offer of place from an approved education provider, sufficient funds for tuition and living expenses, evidence that you can leave New Zealand at the end of your stay, acceptable health and character, genuine intentions to study, and an agreement to maintain acceptable medical and travel insurance. An expression of interest is not a standard part of the student visa application process.
Step 3. Collect Your Documents
The next step is to gather the documents required for your student visa. These usually include a valid passport or certificate of identity, an acceptable visa photo, an offer of place from a New Zealand education provider, evidence of tuition fee payment or an applicable exemption, proof of sufficient funds, and evidence of a ticket or enough money to purchase a ticket for travel out of New Zealand. You may also need a medical examination, chest X-ray, or police certificate, depending on your circumstances.
Your passport must generally remain valid for at least three months after the date you intend to leave New Zealand. For a Fee Paying Student Visa, police and medical certificates that are not in English must include certified English translations. Check the instructions for your visa to determine whether translations of any other supporting evidence are required.
Step 4. Submit Your Application
Once your documents are ready, submit your application through Immigration New Zealand. Fee Paying Student Visa applications must be submitted online. You will need to create or log in to an Immigration Online account, complete the application, upload your documents, and pay the applicable fees.
Step 5. Pay the Application Fee
You must pay the applicable visa application cost when submitting your online application. The published cost of a Fee Paying Student Visa starts at NZD 850. Your final cost may depend on factors such as your citizenship and where you are applying from. Fees can change, so use Immigration New Zealand’s fees, decision times, and application-location information immediately before applying.
Step 6. Wait for Your Application to Be Processed
Immigration New Zealand will review your application and supporting documents. There is no single six-week processing period for all student visas. The Fee Paying Student Visa page states that 80% of applications are processed within 9.5 weeks, although processing times can change and may vary according to the type of education provider and the circumstances of the application. Immigration New Zealand strongly encourages international students to apply three months before their intended travel date and to allow at least eight weeks for processing.
You can check your application status by logging in to your Immigration Online account. Immigration New Zealand will contact you if it needs additional information or documents.
Step 7. Await for the Visa Decision
Immigration New Zealand will email you when it makes a decision. If your application is approved, you will receive an eVisa and a copy of your eVisa letter. If your application is declined, review the decision communication carefully for information about the outcome.
Once your visa is approved, you can begin planning your travel. New Zealand visas are generally issued electronically rather than as labels in passports. Print your eVisa letter and carry it with your valid passport when traveling to New Zealand.
Necessary Documents to Submit for a Student Visa
NECESSARY
DOCUMENTS | DOCUMENT DETAILS |
|---|
| Passport or Certificate of Identity | Your passport or certificate of identity must generally be valid for at least three months after the date you intend to leave New Zealand. Your eVisa will be linked electronically to your passport, although Immigration New Zealand may ask to see the original passport. |
| Offer of Place | An offer of place from an approved New Zealand education provider confirms that you have been accepted for study. It should include information such as the course, its duration, the study dates, and whether the study is full-time or part-time. Applicants outside New Zealand may initially apply with a conditional offer, but an unconditional offer is required before the visa can be granted. |
| Proof of Tuition Fee Payment | Unless you are exempt, you must generally show that you have paid the tuition fees for one course or one year of study, whichever is shorter. Applicants applying from outside New Zealand may request approval in principle and pay their tuition fees after receiving that approval. |
| Medical and Travel Insurance Declaration | Fee-paying students must agree to maintain medical and travel insurance that is acceptable to their education provider from the start of their course until their visa expires. The education provider determines the required coverage or may arrange the insurance. Doctor of Philosophy students are exempt from this insurance requirement. |
| Proof of Sufficient Funds | Students undertaking tertiary, English-language, or other non-compulsory study generally need NZD 20,000 for each year of study or NZD 1,667 for each month if the course is shorter than one year. Students in Years 1 to 13 generally need NZD 17,000 per year or NZD 1,417 per month. You must also provide a ticket for travel out of New Zealand or evidence of additional funds to purchase one. |
| Health and Character Evidence | You may need a chest X-ray, medical examination, police certificate, or a combination of these documents. The requirements depend on factors such as the length of your stay, your age, your citizenship, your travel history, and the countries where you have lived. |
| Visa Photo | You must upload a photograph that meets Immigration New Zealand’s technical and identity requirements for online visa applications. |
Applying for a New Zealand student visa can be confusing, but preparing the correct documents and following the instructions for your specific visa can make the process easier. Applicants should read all instructions carefully, provide complete and accurate information, and regularly check their Immigration Online accounts. Anyone who needs personalized immigration advice should contact Immigration New Zealand or a licensed or exempt immigration adviser.
We hope that this article on how to get a student visa in New Zealand was helpful. If you are interested in studying abroad, make sure to check out the NZ Study Guide and Available Programs for International Students!
