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. 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.
What Are the Types of Study Visas for New Zealand?
New Zealand offers the following types of visas to study:
Fee Paying Student Visa
The Fee Paying Student Visa allows you to pursue full-time education in New Zealand. It permits you to study in a specific program mentioned on your visa, including schools, higher education institutions, or English language courses. Additionally, you can work part-time (up to 20 hours per week) during studies and full-time during academic breaks.
MFAT-Funded NZ Scholarship Student Visa
This visa allows full-time studies funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) or Education New Zealand (ENZ). You can pursue schooling, tertiary education, or English language studies.
To apply for this visa you must show proof of funding from MFAT or ENZ covering tuition and living expenses.
Exchange Student Visa
The Exchange Student Visa is for individuals accepted into a student exchange program, including school-to-school, sister-school, or tertiary-level exchanges. You will be categorized as a domestic student, which means you are not required to pay tuition fees. You will also be allowed to work part-time.
Pathway Student Visa
The Pathway Student Visa allows study for up to three courses on a single visa. The duration accommodates the time needed to complete your qualification plan. You can work part-time for a maximum of 20 hours per week while studying and full-time during holidays, based on the requirements of your specific program.
Vocational Trainee Visa
The Vocational Trainee visa is a category for trainees that have received a New Zealand Short-Term Training Scholarship by Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships. For an NZ Vocational Student visa, your employer must provide a guarantee that you are a nautical student and have a:
- paid place at Manukau Polytechnic if you are a nautical student, or
- New Zealand Scholarship Short-Term Training Award.
If you have been granted a New Zealand Short Term Training Scholarship, you have the option to pursue a training opportunity within a government agency, private training institution, or tertiary education institute. You can also work part time during your training/study or full time during the holidays.
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:
- Be of good character.
- Be in good health.
- Genuinely plan to meet the conditions of your visa.
- Have sufficient funds to pay your tuition fees.
- Have full travel and medical travel insurance during your stay.
- Prove that you meet the academic requirements.
- Have sufficient funds to live in New Zealand.
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:
- 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.
- Photos of your head and shoulders. You must submit one photo if you apply online and two if you complete a paper application.
- Evidence of good health. 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
- 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 cover for:
- 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)
- 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
- Evidence you are chaperoned by your parent/legal guardian (if applicable). 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.
- 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:
- a letter from your academic institution giving you the offer of place.
- a course outline where the practical work is required.
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.
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.
Additional Documents for an Exchange Student 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
- Your travel history. Provide a copy of all the pages of your current passport, and previous passports, or if your travel is only in electronic records, provide a summary of your international travel history.
- Rejected visa applications. Letters and reasons for any declined visa applications for other countries.
- Evidence to support what you said in your application and cover letter or statement of purpose.
How to Apply for a New Zealand Student Visa?
You can apply for a New Zealand student visa online, or in person.
Online Application Steps
To apply for a New Zealand Student visa, you must follow the steps below:
Step 1: Complete the Online Application
You can start your online application by clicking the ‘apply online’ button on the Fee Paying Student Visa webpage of Immigration New Zealand. To begin, create a RealMe account and specify that you are applying for a Fee Paying Student Visa.
Step 2: Upload the Required Documents
Upload all necessary documents for your New Zealand Student Visa application as PDF files, ensuring they meet the size requirements specified in the application.
Step 3: Pay the Application Fee
Pay the application fee during the online application process using a Visa, MasterCard, or UnionPay credit or debit card. Provide the required card information to complete the payment.
Step 4: Submit the Online Application
Once all information, documents, and payments are provided, submit your application. Immigration New Zealand will notify you via email when your eVisa is issued. The eVisa is necessary to enter New Zealand.
Paper Application Steps
To apply on paper for an NZ Student visa, you must follow the steps below:
Step 1: Complete the Paper Application
To apply for a New Zealand Student Visa, complete the Student Visa Application (INZ 1012). Specify in section F that you are applying for an NZ Student Visa. Write your name on the back of your photos and attach them to the application.
Step 2: Book an Appointment
Schedule an appointment at a visa application center to submit your documents for processing. You can book your appointment with Global in the nearest country with a visa application center. You will receive a confirmation email after booking.
Step 3: Submit Your Documents
Attend the appointment and submit all the required documents for an student visa. Be sure to arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled time. Note: You can only reschedule your appointment once.
Step 4: Pay the Fees
Make the required payments at your appointment. You can pay using cash, Visa, or Mastercard. Ensure you have sufficient funds on the day to avoid your application being returned.
Step 5: Track Your Application
Once your visa application is processed, Immigration New Zealand will notify you via email. Stay updated with your return courier through SMS notifications to your phone.
New Zealand Student Visa Specifications
| Visa | Online Application Fee | Paper Application Fee | Processing Time | Length of Visa |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fee Paying Student Visa | NZD $430 | NZD $440 — $485 | around 67 days | Up to four years |
| Aid Programme Student Visa | NZD $395 | NZD $350 — $440 | around 74 days | Up to four years |
| Exchange Student Visa | NZD $430 | NZD $385 — $480 | around 15 days | Up to four years |
| Pathway Student Visa | NZD $315 — $395 | NZD $325 — $410 | around 67 days | Up to five years |
| Vocational Trainee Visa | N/A | NZD $375 — $485 | around 74 days | Depends on the program |