Are you a student looking to study in New-Zealand? Touriago is here to help you in your decision making process! We will support you through the entire visa application and give you all the information you need to succeed. You are just one step away from getting access to helpful and detailed guide on how to get a student Visa in New Zealand.
Student Visa in New Zealand, Study visa in New Zealand, Student visa requirements for New Zealand, how to get student visa in New Zealand, complete guide to study abroad in New Zealand, higher study opportunities in New Zealand.
New Zealand is the closest and most geographically speaking country to Australia. And, even better, because it’s not a part of the EU, you can travel and work there under a student visa for up to three (3) months over each year and even do short term work periods inbetween semesters. This student visa also allows you to stay there for any purpose for more than three (3) months. With this visa, you can stay for up to two years in total before you have to leave for at least one month. You can apply for a refugee or protected person visa if you are a citizen of a country other than Australia or New Zealand but don’t have the right kind of visa to enter New Zealand or want to live there permanently. You cannot apply unless you have come to New Zealand. The primary applicant must be outside New Zealand when they apply and their application must be approved before they arrive in the country.
If you’re planning to study in New Zealand, you might be wondering how to get a student visa. The process is fairly straightforward, but it is important to understand the requirements before you start the application process.
New Zealand has long been known for its friendly people, clean environment, and beautiful landscapes—and it’s also known for being one of the most sought-after places for international students. If you’re looking for an affordable way to study abroad and immerse yourself in a new culture, New Zealand may be just what you’re looking for.
In order to get your student visa, you will need to prove that:
You have enough money to live on while studying in New Zealand (approximately $20-$40 NZD per day)
You have enough money to return home after studying in New Zealand (approximately $5,000 NZD)
You have enough money to support yourself while waiting for your student visa (approximately $1,000 NZD)
Student visa in New Zealand
If you are a student looking to study in New Zealand, you will need to apply for a student visa. The process can be long and complicated, but it is worth it when you realize how great life is in the Land of the Long White Cloud.
We are here to help you with your student visa application. We have been helping students get their visas since 2008 and have helped thousands of students from all over the world settle into life in New Zealand. We understand that you may have questions about living here and what to expect when you arrive, so we have put together this guide for you!
What is a Student Visa?
A student visa allows people from other countries to come to New Zealand temporarily and study at an approved educational institution (either tertiary or secondary). If you want to study at a private school or institute, then there are specific requirements for those institutions as well.
How do I get one?
The first step is applying for an offer of admission from an institution that has been approved by Immigration New Zealand (INZ). Once that is in place, INZ will review your application and let you know whether it will be approved or not. If they reject it, then they will provide feedback on why so that
New Zealand is a great place to study abroad. It’s the most popular country in the world for international students, and it’s a beautiful island nation with plenty of opportunities to explore.
If you’re planning on studying in New Zealand, you’ll need to get a student visa. If you don’t already have one, then getting one is easy—just follow these simple steps:
1) Find out if your school has an international office that can help you with your application process and answer any questions you might have about being a student in New Zealand.
2) Fill out an application form at the International Office of your school or online via Immigration New Zealand (INZ). There are two types of student visas: “student visa” and “postgraduate training visa.” Both require proof of financial means, but the postgraduate training visa also requires proof that you’ve been accepted into a course of study at an approved institution and proof that there is no suitable work available in New Zealand.
3) Submit copies of all required documents as well as payment for processing fees (up to NZD 100) via INZ online or by mail (check their website for details). If all goes well, then expect to receive your new visa within 10 days!
New Zealand study visa process (fee paying student)
- 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.
- Get a medical exam: you’ll need to have a medical examination by a doctor approved by Immigration New Zealand.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
As an international full time student studying in New Zealand (NZ) you need one of the three types of study visa:
- Fee paying student visa: for students studying full time up to four years
- Foreign government supported student visa: for students who are receiving a scholarship or loan from a foreign government in order to fund studies
- Pathway student visa: for students who will be studying more than one program consecutively
The most common visa international students require for NZ is the fee paying student visa; it costs NZ$295 to apply online from outside of NZ. It may be cheaper for you to apply for your visa via post depending on your nationality.