New Zealand Student VISA

New Zealand is one of  the top study destinations in the world today. Thousands of International students go to study in New Zealand's top rank universities. New Zealand also offers prestigious Scholarships  for people from developing countries to study in New Zealand and the Pacific. Those scholarships foster and build potential leaders, as well as equipping individuals with skills and knowledge to benefit their home country. Many students  study with students and lecturers from around the world, and build life-long connections to New Zealand and a global network of leaders and high achievers.

Coming to New Zealand for studies require Student VISAs. That is anyone enrolling as an international student on a course of study lasting three months or more in New Zealand must apply for a student visa.

On this post, we outline questions that many international students ask /inquire while seeking Student VISA's information for studies in New Zealand.

What visa will I need to study?
If the course you want to study is no more than three months long, and you hold an NZ visitor’s visa, then you do not need to get a student visa to study. If your course is due to take three months or longer to complete, you will need a student visa.

Is there an age limit?
There are no age limits to getting a student visa in New Zealand.

Can I still get a student visa if I’ve already used my working holiday visa for New Zealand?
Yes. The student visa and working holiday visa schemes are separate from one another.

Can I work on a student visa?
Once you are in New Zealand you can apply for a Variation of Conditions to your visa, which will allow you to work up to 20 hours a week during term and the holidays.

How much does the visa cost?
Student visa applications from the UK currently cost £140, plus a service fee of £19. Fees are subject to change, so please check www.immigration.govt.nz before making your application.

How do I apply?
Complete the Application To Study In New Zealand form, which is available from the INZ website  Follow the instructions at the front carefully. The application should 
be lodged at the New Zealand Visa Application Centre in your country  or apply online : www.immigration.govt.nz  .

What do I need to apply?
The full requirements are listed at the front of the Application To Study In New Zealand form but an outline list of documents is as follows:

• A valid passport
• A completed application form
• The application fee
• Two recent passport-sized photos    
• An unconditional offer of place to study at a university in New Zealand
• Receipt showing payment of one year’s tuition fees (provided that your visa application has been approved in principle)    
• Guarantee of accommodation
• Evidence of sufficient funds for maintenance, via a letter or bank statement, or completed Financial Undertaking form (INZ 1014)
• Evidence of sufficient funds to purchase an outward ticket.

Will I need to provide any character documents?
All applicants for New Zealand visas need to be of good character. This generally means you have no criminal convictions. If you have convictions or if you intend on remaining in New Zealand for more than 24 months you will need to provide police clearances from each country for which you have citizenship. You will also need to provide police clearances for every country you have lived in for five years or more since you turned 17.

Will I need to provide any health documents?
In order to be eligible for a visa for New Zealand you must have an ‘acceptable standard of health’. In order for INZ to check this you may be asked to provide a medical and/or x-ray certificate. As an international fee-paying student, however, you do not need to provide any medical documents at the point of application unless the student visa application form (INZ 1012) or the student visa guide (INZ 1013) specifically indicates that you should. If INZ requires a medical or chest x-ray during assessment, 
a visa officer will be in touch to request this from you directly.

Can I take my partner with me?
It is not possible to add your partner to your student visa as a dependant. Your partner will need to apply for their own visa to be in New Zealand if he or she wishes to work or study. They have the option of applying for a work visa as the partner of a student who is either:

i) Studying for a qualification in an area of absolute skill shortage, as specified in the Long Term Skill Shortage List, or

ii) Studying for a postgraduate qualification.

If your course of study does not fall into either of these categories, your partner will need to apply to be in New Zealand of their own accord, for example under the Working Holiday Scheme, the Essential Skills Visa or the Skilled Migrant Category.  Please see the New Zealand Visas for Partners and Families page for more information.

How long does a visa take to get?
Immigration New Zealand recommends you allow between four and six weeks for student visa processing.

How soon can I travel to New Zealand once I get my visa?
The visa is valid immediately upon issuing, so once you have your visa you can use it to enter New Zealand.

How long will my visa last?
The visa is valid for the duration of your course if it is up to 12 months long, or for the academic year for courses that are longer than a year.

Can I apply for another visa when my course finishes?
Yes. If you meet policy, you may apply for residence or for another temporary visa. For information about other visa options, please visit www.immigration.govt.nz.

What are my obligations?
You must hold comprehensive health insurance for the duration of your stay, as only residents and holders of two year or longer work permits are eligible for publicly funded health and disability services. You also have a legal obligation to be in New Zealand on a valid permit at all times. If you fail to remain in New Zealand lawfully you may be declined a visa to travel to the country in the future.

All information is correct at the time of going to press but is subject to change. Please check INZ’s website for the most up-to-date information, at www.immigration.govt.nz.