study visa for new zealand from india
Are you looking to travel to New Zealand on a Working Holiday Visa? Yes, you can apply for new zealand work visa from India with the help of Travel to New Zealand. We would like to introduce ourselves as the leading Immigration Consultancy since 2010 and has helped hundreds of Indians during their applications for New Zealand Work Visa. We are specialized in immigration for Canada, Australia and New Zealand, Ireland and UK.
A study visa for New Zealand is a gateway to one of the most beautiful and popular countries in the world. It can prove to be a stepping stone to a bright career and fulfilling educational opportunities abroad. However, obtaining New Zealand study visa can be time-consuming and cumbersome.
The process of obtaining a study visa to New Zealand from India is complex and can often be frustrating. However, with the right guide and the right information, you can make the process much easier for yourself. When you have a better understanding of what you are doing, you will feel more confident about your application and will have a better chance of being accepted into your desired course.
This article will cover what documents are needed for your application, how much it costs to apply for a New Zealand study visa from India, as well as what is required from your institution in order for them to be able to facilitate this process for you.
If you’re looking to study in New Zealand, the first thing to consider is whether or not you need a visa. If you’re an Australian citizen and will be studying in New Zealand for less than three months, you won’t need a visa at all. If you’re not an Australian citizen, however, things get a little more complicated.
New Zealand has a tiered system for student visas: depending on how long you plan to study there and what your major is, you may need one type of visa over another. If you’re planning on studying in New Zealand for less than three months, or if you plan on enrolling in an English language course or non-degree program that doesn’t require any prerequisite courses or qualifications (like an associate’s degree), then all you’ll need is a visitor visa (subclass 600). If your course requires some prerequisites like high school graduation or previous college credits, then the appropriate visa depends on what country issued those credentials: if they were issued by Australia (or another country), then all students should apply for a student visitor visa; if they were issued by any other country besides Australia, then students should apply for either an international student
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.
The New Zealand Government provides an opportunity to all Indian students to study in the country but as a prerequisite, you’ll have to obtain a student visa first. The visa you need will depend on the type of study you want to pursue, and how long you intend to stay in New Zealand.
If you are over 18 years and plan to study in New Zealand for more than six months, here’s an overview of the types of student visa available for you:
| S.No. | Types of student visa | Description |
| 1 | Fee Paying Student Visa | Study full-time for up to four years and be able to work part-time |
| 2 | Exchange Student Visa | Study full-time for up to four years for an approved student exchange program |
| 3 | Foreign Government Supported Student Visa | Study full-time for up to four years on a foreign government loan or scholarship |
| 4 | Pathway Student Visa | Study up to five years for 3 consecutive courses on a single student visa and be able to work part-time |
*For detailed information, please visit the New Zealand Government’s Immigration website
As an Indian student, you would most commonly require a Fee Paying Student visa.
While studying in New Zealand, it’s important to maintain your Fee Paying student status. This status relates to the purpose, or reason why you came to New Zealand.
Documentation required for New Zealand’s Fee Paying student visa
To apply for a visa to New Zealand, you will generally need:
- Your passport, which must be valid for at least three months after your period of stay in New Zealand
- A letter of acceptance from a New Zealand education provider, which states the minimum course duration, total tuition fee and whether the tuition fee is in domestic and foreign currency. The course must be approved by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority
- An offer of place from an educational institution approved by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority
- A written guarantee from an institution or person that suitable accommodation is available to you in New Zealand (if you’re under 18 years)
- A return air ticket to your country, or evidence of sufficient funds to buy one
Some additional documentation may include:
- Academic preparation documents such as transcripts, diplomas, degrees or certificates
- Current application form – student visa application form
- Visa application fee
- Tuition fee receipt showing payment to date
- Passport-sized photographs
You may also have to show evidence that you have sufficient funds to cover your living expenses throughout the period of your stay. You will need to show you have NZ$ 15,000 for a full year of study or NZ$1,250 per month*. This may include:
- A scholarship program
- Bank statements
- Financial undertaking by a sponsor to cover accommodation and living costs
- Evidence that you are leaving New Zealand after the completion of your course. This can be in the form of flight tickets, however, it is optional
- A police certificate if you are aged 17 years or over and plan to study for more than 24 months. A police certificate is a document which is used as evidence of good character
- An X-ray certificate – you will need to have a chest x-ray if you are staying in New Zealand for more than six months, or if you’re a citizen of a country with a relatively high incidence of tuberculosis, or if you’ve spent more than three months in the last five years in a country with a relatively high incidence of tuberculosis
- Full medical examination
You may also have to appear for a personal interview at the New Zealand embassy or consulate.
*Please note that these are the basic requirements, speak with your IDP counsellor for a detailed list of documents required for visa processing
Applying for your visa online
You’ll have to apply for your student visa application online using the New Zealand Immigration website. You can apply up to 120 days before your intended date of program’s start date. Remember, your application date is the date when your application fee is paid.
How can we help you?
If you’re an IDP student with an offer letter from any of our partner institutions in New Zealand, we can advise you on how to go about the entire process. We’ll make sure you are fully informed on the latest visa requirements and conditions; also help you prepare the right documents for your submission.
Our team of experts will direct you to the official websites and to authorised immigration representatives to ensure you have the latest applications forms and guidance. To reduce the hassle, we can also help to certify, translate and courier your documents.
Visa fee
As an applicant from India, your immigration cost and receiving centre fee will depend on the kind of submission you make – online or paper.
| Type of submission | Application cost | Receiving centre fee |
| Online | NZD 530 (approx. INR 23,330) | INR 722 |
| Paper | INR 24,500 | INR 1,087 |
Do check the latest fee when applying here.
Note: This fees may vary as per the city from where you are applying. Check for your city!
English language requirements
To gain your New Zealand student visa, you’ll have to provide evidence of proficiency in the English language. This usually means passing a secure English language test to be able to prove your communication and correspondence skills.
The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is the world’s most popular high-stakes English language proficiency test for study, work and migration, with more than three million tests taken in the past year. The IELTS results are recognised by more than 10,000 organisations, including educational institutions, employers, professional associations and governments, in 140 countries around the world.
The minimum IELTS score required for your New Zealand student visa is 5.5 band in each module.
Conclusion
Travel to New Zealand, the country of beautiful mountains, amazing lakes and alluring rivers. If you want to travel, tourism is one of the best options. There are many different visas available, but the easiest visa is New Zealand work and holiday visa for Indians. The best way to go about getting a job in New Zealand is to first identify the kind of work that you desire. You can get any kind of job over there provided you have a valid prospect. You just need to be ready for some hard work.