student visa in new zealand requirements

Owing to its fantastic landscapes, stunning nature, and wonderful photo opportunities that are available all year long, New Zealand attracts a great number of tourists every year. If you’re planning your study abroad or even a vacation in this picturesque island, you’ll need to acquire Student Visa for New Zealand.

Like many countries nowadays, New Zealand is actively seeking foreign students to boost its economy. It has an excellent educational system and was rated as one of the best student destinations in the world. Therefore, when searching for student visa in New Zealand or New Zealand study visa requirements it’s worth doing your research before applying.

In order to apply for a student visa to study in New Zealand, you first need to meet the eligibility requirements set by Immigration New Zealand. Before applying, please make sure that you are eligible, as you may be required to provide additional information or supporting documents.

If you are a student in New Zealand and want to travel outside of the country, you will need to apply for a student visa.

You can apply for a student visa at a New Zealand embassy or consulate overseas or through an agent in New Zealand. You must be able to prove your identity, show that you have enough money to support yourself while studying in New Zealand, and have completed your course requirements.

You may be required to show evidence of your English language ability if it is not one of the main languages spoken in your home country.

The documents needed for a student visa vary depending on whether you are applying from within New Zealand or from overseas.

Students who wish to study in New Zealand must first apply for a Student Visa. There are several requirements to meet before you can obtain this visa. One of the most important requirements is that you must have a letter of acceptance from an approved educational institution. This letter must be on the school’s official letterhead and contain your name, date of birth and address.

If you are under 18 years old, your parent or guardian must sign the application form as well. You will also need to submit proof that you have enough money to pay for all of your expenses while you are in New Zealand including tuition fees, living expenses, medical insurance and airfare back home at least once per year if applicable (at least every second year if studying abroad).

New Zealand study visa process (fee paying student)

1. Receive an offer letter: your chosen institution will send you an offer letter for you to accept, and then you’ll have to pay any upfront tuition and accommodation fees.
2. Get a medical exam: you’ll need to have a medical examination by a doctor approved by Immigration New Zealand.
3. Get a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC): you can get a clearance certificate from a Regional Passport office or from the Deputy Commissioner of Police for your area.
4. Create an account and apply online: you may also be given the option to apply via post. Make sure to keep your payment receipt from your application fee.
5. Receive a decision: the time it takes to receive a decision on your visa varies depending on the country you are applying from. You should always try to apply three months before your course starts.

New Zealand student visa processing time

The amount of time it takes to process your visa will vary based on a range of factors. However, the New Zealand government have reported that:

• 50% of applications are processed within 13 days
• 75% of applications are processed within 24 days
• 90& of applications are processed within 46 days

That means you can expect to get your visa in between two and seven weeks.

NZ visas for student dependents

Your spouse or partner may be able to join you in New Zealand with a Partner of a Student Work Visa, however the restrictions around this mean the majority of students won’t be eligible.

You must be studying towards a Level 7 or 8 qualification on New Zealand’s Long Term Skill Shortage List, or a Level 9 or 10 qualification in order for your partner to join you in New Zealand. If you’re unsure of the level you are studying at, your university will be able to tell you.

NZ student visa requirements

At some point throughout the application for a NZ student visa, you may be asked for the following:

• Confirmation of an offer
• Documents to show you can support yourself such as bank statements
• Passport standard photographs
• Valid passport
• Medical certificate
• Police clearance certificate
• Medical and travel insurance
• English language proficiency test results (recommended IELTS 5.5 and above)
• Payment receipts
• Proof of onward travel or enough funds to buy transport home

Working with a Fee Paying Student visa

On a Fee Paying Student visa for New Zealand you are able to work up to 20 hours per week during term time, and as often as you want during university holidays. Master’s by research and PhD students are exempt from this limit and can work as many hours as they wish.

What to do if your visa is refused

If you believe that your visa was refused in error, then you can ask for your visa decision to be reconsidered in writing. If New Zealand Immigration reviews your application again and decide you are correct, you will be granted the visa you were refused. There may be a cost for a reconsideration process.

You can only ask for your application to be considered again, if:

• You are in New Zealand when you make the request
• You hold a valid visa, i.e. an interim visa
• Your request is received no more than 14 calendar days after your application was declined

If you believe you can submit another visa application that fixes the reason you were declined, then you should reapply. You’ll have to pay the application fee again and ensure you fully cover any issues you had in your previous application.

Conclusion

New Zealand is popular amongst students seeking a secure study environment and outdoor lifestyle. It has a diverse and vibrant multicultural society that international students love. New Zealand Institutions also meet the highest educational standards. If you’re looking for a world-class education in a safe, beautiful environment, New Zealand is the perfect place for you!