New Zealand Student Visa

The New Zealand Student visa is specifically designed for full-time students, allowing them to pursue their studies in New Zealand for a maximum period of four years. To be eligible, you are required to cover the entire cost of your courses and enroll with an approved education provider. If you are a distance learning or correspondence student studying outside of New Zealand but need to visit the country for more than three months to attend your education providers, such as for practical study or examinations, you are also eligible to apply for this visa.

Once granted a New Zealand Student visa, you have the option to work part-time in the country and reside independently if you are old enough. Depending on the conditions outlined in your visa, you can engage in part-time work for up to 20 hours per week while studying or work full-time during holiday periods.

What Are the Eligibility Requirements for a New Zealand Student Visa?

To qualify for a New Zealand Student visa, you must fulfill the following requirements:

• You must be of good character.
• You must be in good health.
• You must genuinely plan to meet the conditions of your visa.
• You must have an offer of place from an education provider.
• You must have sufficient funds to pay your tuition fees.
• You must have full travel and medical travel insurance during your stay.
• You must prove that you meet the academic requirements.
• You must have sufficient funds to live in New Zealand.
• You must give details about your course and holidays.
• You must have permission to work if you are 16/17.
• You must prove that it is a course requirement if you have to do practical work.

What Are the Required Documents for a New Zealand Student Visa?

You must provide the listed documents to apply for a New Zealand Student visa:

• Evidence of your identity
• Evidence of good health
• Evidence of good character
• Offer of place from an education provider
• Evidence of sufficient funds to pay your tuition fees
• Medical and travel insurance
• Evidence you are meeting the academic requirements
• Evidence of sufficient funds to live in New Zealand
• Evidence of onward travel ticket
• Permission to work (if applicable)
• Evidence you are chaperoned by your parent/legal guardian (if applicable)
• Information about your course and holidays
• Evidence you are passing your course and attending classes

Evidence of Your Identity

You must provide the following documents as evidence of your identity:

• Photos of your head and shoulders. You must submit one photo if you apply online and two if you complete a paper application.
• Your passport. You can submit your original passport or a certified copy. However, your NZ Student visa application will be processed faster if you provide the original copy.

Evidence of Good Health

As proof that you have good health to apply for an NZ Student visa, you may be required to provide a chest x-ray or a medical examination. If you stay more than one year in New Zealand, you must provide both the medical examination and the x-ray.

Evidence of Good Character

You must provide a police certificate if you stay longer than two years in New Zealand and you are older than 17. The police certificate proves that you are of good character and don’t pose any threat to the New Zealand public.

Offer of Place From an Education Provider

You must have an offer of place to apply for a New Zealand Student visa. If you are a returning student, you must have a confirmation of enrollment. The offer of place or the confirmation of enrollment must consist of:

• The name and length of your course
• Proof that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade will pay your tuition costs
• The type of study (full-time, part-time, distance-learning, or as a correspondence student)
• The course’ scheduled holidays
• Proof that your accommodation complies with the ‘Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students’ if you are younger than 18
• The signed declaration of your education provider where they evaluated that:
• The offered study program suits your expectations
• You are equipped with relevant academic and English skills to succeed

Evidence of Sufficient Funds to Pay Your Tuition Fees

You must submit evidence that you paid the tuition fees for one year of study or one course (whichever is shorter). You can provide any of the following:

• Scholarship from your educational institution
• Letter from your educational institution showing that you don’t have to pay fees or they are paid
• Evidence that you’ve applied for a loan from your home country government loan and confirmation that your educational institution expects to receive the fees
• Evidence you’ve applied for a home country government loan and confirmation that you’re enrolling in a bachelor’s degree program or higher at a Private Training Establishment

Note: If you study more than one course or one course for longer than a year, you must submit proof that you have sufficient funds to cover your tuition fees for one year of study or one course, and how you will pay the fees for the following years.

Medical and Travel Insurance

You must provide evidence that you have medical and travel insurance for your whole stay in New Zealand. Your insurance coverage must include:

• Medical care in New Zealand
• Travel (to and from New Zealand, inside New Zealand, outside New Zealand if traveling as part of the program)
• Travel out of New Zealand for medical reasons
• Death

Evidence You Are Meeting the Academic Requirements

If you already have a Student visa and now you are applying for a Fee Paying Student visa, you must provide photocopied evidence of your previous academic performance. You can provide:

• academic transcripts
• a letter from your academic provider
• attendance documentation

Evidence of Sufficient Funds to Live in New Zealand

You must have enough funds to cover your stay in New Zealand. Proof can include:

• a Financial Undertaking for a Student form
• a completed Sponsorship Form for Temporary Entry by your sponsor
• documents proving that your living costs have been paid
• evidence you have:
• NZD $20,000 per year of tertiary, English language, or other non-obligatory school study, or $1,667 per month if your study will be shorter than one year
• NZD $17,000 per year or $1,417 per month if you are studying in obligatory education (years 1-13 at a school)

Note: If you study for more than one year, you must submit proof (savings or family income) that you can support yourself for your first year and show how you will cover living costs for the next years.

Evidence of Onward Travel Ticket

You must have a travel ticket for leaving New Zealand, have a sponsor to cover your stay, or have enough money to buy a ticket. You can provide one of the following:

• a completed ‘Sponsorship Form for Temporary Entry’ by your sponsor
• a travel ticket
• proof you have sufficient funds to buy a ticket out of New Zealand

Permission to Work (If Applicable)

You must have permission to work part time or full time during the summer holidays. The permission must be from:

• your education provider
• your legal guardian or parents

Evidence You Are Chaperoned by Your Parent/Legal Guardian (If Applicable)

Your parent or legal guardian must go to New Zealand with you if you are younger than nine years older. This does not apply if you live in an NZQA school hostel. You must provide the following documents as evidence that your parent/legal guardian takes care of you in your home country:

• your parent or guardian’s passport or residence document showing that you’ve been living with them in your home country
• documents proving they’ve paid for your education
• documents proving they’re responsible for your education

You can provide the following documents as evidence that your parent/legal guardian can legally take care of you:

• your birth certificate or adoption papers (if applicable)
• court documents (if applicable)
• relevant legal documents if they are a testamentary guardian (if applicable)

Note: The person accompanying you must live with you until you finish your studies.

Information About Your Course and Holidays

You must submit the following information if you are allowed to work full time during the holidays:

• evidence of the scheduled holidays, as shown in your offer of place document
• your fee receipt or invoice, or other correspondence provided by your approved education provider to prove that your course value is 120 credits

Evidence You Are Passing Your Course and Attending Classes

If you must do practical work because it is a course requirement. You can provide the following as evidence that it is a requirement:

• a letter from your academic institution giving you the offer of place
• a course outline where the practical work is required

What Are the Additional Documents for an Exchange Student NZ Visa?

Immigration New Zealand recommends that you provide the following documents as proof that you are a genuine applicant:

• A cover letter that states the reason you want to study in New Zealand. The letter must consist of the following information:
  • an outline of your study plans
  • your plans after you finish your studies
  • why you chose the particular course and education institution
  • the education and training you have completed or are completing now
  • reasons why you have gaps in your recent education or work history
  • how you will pay for your study including a summary of the evidence you are providing with your application and where this money has come from and a payment plan if you plan to study in New Zealand for longer than one year
  • your relationship with your sponsor if you have one

  How to Apply Online for a New Zealand Student Visa?

  To apply for a New Zealand Student visa, you must follow the steps below:

  • You must complete the online application. You can start your online application by using the ‘apply online’ button on the Fee Paying Student Visa webpage of Immigration New Zealand. To start the application process, you must create a RealMe account. You must specify that you are applying for a Fee Paying Student visa.
  • You must upload therequired documents. You must upload all the documents needed for a NZ Student visa application. The documents must be the size that the application requires and must be uploaded as PDF files.
  • You must pay the application fee. When you apply, you must pay the application fee during your online application process. You can pay with a Visa, MasterCard, or UnionPay credit card or debit card. You will pay by providing the required card information.
  • You must submit the online application. After you provide all the required information, documents, and payments during the online application, you must submit the application. Once your application is handled by Immigration New Zealand, you will receive an email from them. When your eVisa is issued, you will be notified. You need the eVisa to enter New Zealand.

  How to Apply on Paper for a New Zealand Student Visa?

  To apply on paper for an NZ Student visa, you must follow the steps below:

  • You must complete the Student visa paper application. To apply for a New Zealand Student visa, you must complete the Student Visa Application (INZ 1012). You must specify in section F that you are applying for an NZ Student visa. Write your name on the back of the photo and attach them to the application.
  • You must book an appointment at a visa application office. To submit your documents for processing, you must schedule an appointment at a visa application center. You can book the appointment with Global to the nearest country that has one. Once you book your appointment, you will receive a confirmation email.
  • You must submit your documents for a New ZealandStudent visa. When you attend the appointment, you must submit all the required documents for an NZ Student visa. You should arrive at the appointment 15 minutes before the scheduled time. You can reschedule only once.
  • You must pay the fees for a New Zealand Student visa. When you attend the appointment, you can make your payments. You can pay with cash, Visa, or Mastercard. Your application may be returned if you don’t have sufficient funds on the day you submit your application.
  • You must track your NZ Student visa application. After your visa application is processed, you will receive an email from Immigration New Zealand. You can stay up to date with your return courier by getting SMS-s in your phone.

  What Are the Fees for a New Zealand Student Visa?

  You must pay the following fees to apply for an NZ Student visa:

  Application Fee	Visa Application Center Fee	Courier Fee
  Online Application	NZD $430	–	–
  Paper Application	NZD $440 — $ 485	NZD $ 46 — $ 77	NZD $ 13 — $ 100

  What Is the Processing Time for a New Zealand Student Visa?

  The Paying Student visa is usually processed within 45 days. You will be notified about your application within this time frame.

  How Long Can I Stay in New Zealand on an NZ Student Visa?

  You can stay in New Zealand on a New Zealand Student visa for up to four years. Depending on the length of your courses, you are allowed to stay within this four-year period.

  What Are the Conditions of a New Zealand Student Visa?

  The conditions of the NZ Student visa are as follows:

  • You must apply for entry permission when you enter the New Zealand border.
  • You must have multiple entry travel conditions to enter and leave New Zealand whenever you like.
  • You must have a travel ticket, enough money to buy one, or a sponsor to cover the cost.
  • You must have sufficient funds or a sponsor to support your stay in New Zealand.
  • You must have medical and travel insurance during your whole stay.
  • You can work part-time and full-time during the holidays.
  • Your legal guardian or parent must live with you during your stay. They can’t leave New Zealand without you.
  • You must study full-time and enroll in your course at the approved education provider as stated on your visa unless you have a valid reason for missing classes.
  • You must leave New Zealand before your visa expires.

  Can I Work in New Zealand on a New Zealand Student Visa?

  You can work in New Zealand up to 20 hours a week. During holidays you can work full-time. You must pay taxes once you start working for an employer. You can apply for an IRD number through Inland Revenue.

  Can I Include My Family on a New Zealand Student Visa Application?

  You can’t include your family on an NZ Student visa application. They may apply for the relevant family visa to join you.

  Read more about other student visa types for New Zealand:

  • Exchange Student Visa
  • Pathway Student Visa
  • Vocational Trainee Visa
  • Aid Programme Student Visa
  • Student and Trainee Work Visa