Study in New Zealand

As a full-time foreign student in New Zealand (NZ), you need one of the following three forms of study visa:

• Visa for students studying full-time for up to four years who pay a fee
• Visa for students getting a grant or loan from a foreign government in order to finance their studies.
• Pathway student visa: for students who will pursue multiple consecutive programs.
• The fee-paying student visa is the most popular visa required by international students for New Zealand; the cost is NZ$295 to apply online from outside of New Zealand. Depending on your nationality, it may be less expensive for you to apply for a visa by mail.

New Zealand student visa application (fee-paying student)

• Receive an offer letter: Your chosen college will give you an offer letter, which you must accept before paying any tuition and accommodation expenses in advance.
• You will undergo a medical checkup by a doctor authorized by Immigration New Zealand.
• Obtain a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC): a PCC can be obtained from a Regional Passport office or the Deputy Commissioner of Police in your area.
• Create an account and apply online; postal applications may also be accepted. Ensure that you save your application fee payment receipt.

New Zealand visa processing duration

The maximum time it takes to receive a decision on your visa application depends on the nation from which you are applying.

Always attempt to apply three months before a course begins.

The processing period for your visa will vary based on a variety of criteria.

Nevertheless, the New Zealand government has reported:

50% of requests are handled within 13 days

75% of requests are handled within 24 days

90% of requests are handled within 46 days

That implies you can anticipate receiving your visa between 2 to 7 weeks.

NZ visas for student dependents

With the help of a Partner of a Student Work Visa, your spouse or partner may be able to join you in New Zealand while you are pursuing your education; however, the vast majority of students will not be eligible for this visa due to the restrictions that surround it.

If you want your partner to travel with you to New Zealand, you must be pursuing certification at Level 7 or 8 on New Zealand’s Long Term Skill Shortage List, or a qualification at Level 9 or 10 if you want them to come with you. Your university will be able to provide you with information regarding your academic standing if you are unsure of what it is.

NZ student visa requirements

During the application process for a New Zealand student visa, you may be requested for the following:

• Acceptance of an offer
• Evidence of your ability to sustain oneself, such as bank statements
• Standard passport images
• Valid passport
• Medical certificate
• Police clearance certificate
• Travel and medical insurance
• Results of English language proficiency tests (recommended IELTS 5.5 and above)
• Payment receipts
• Evidence of further travel or sufficient finances to purchase transit home

Employing on a Fee-Paying Student visa

On a Fee-Paying Student visa for New Zealand, you may work up to 20 hours per week during the academic year and as much as you like during university breaks. Students pursuing a research-based master’s degree or a doctoral degree are exempt from this restriction and work as many hours as they wish.