Before you apply for a student visa

Make study and travel plans before you apply

To qualify for a student visa, you’ll need:

• an offer of place from an approved education provider
• money for your tuition fees or proof that you have a scholarship that pays your fees
• proof you have enough money to live on while you’re in NZ
• full medical and travel insurance
• a ticket out of NZ or evidence that you have enough money to buy one.

For information about what the visa lets you to do, for example, travel or work — go to Immigration NZ’s website:

• Fee Paying Student Visa (external link)^[L1]
• Pathway Student Visa (external link)^[L2]

Studying less than 3 months

You only need a student visa if you are studying over 3 months. If the length of your study is less than 3 months you can get a visitor visa instead.

Visitor Visa — Immigration NZ (external link)^[L4]

Choose a course

New students need to have an offer of place from an approved education provider. However, if you’re a returning student — you need to have confirmation of enrolment.

Find a programme of study or qualification that you want to do.

Find a course — NZ Education (external link)^[L5]

Find primary, intermediate and secondary schools that teach international students.

Find an education provider — NZ Education (external link)^[L6]

Pathway Student Visa

If you’re applying for a Pathway Student Visa, you must study with a Pathway Education Provider.

Pathway Education Providers — Immigration NZ (external link)^[L7]

Education in NZ

Find out about NZ’s education system and how it works.

Understand New Zealand’s education system — NZ Education (external link)^[L8]

Study fees

Most people who come to NZ to study pay full fees as international students.

Tuition fees and cost of living — NZ Education (external link)^[L9]

Domestic students

If you qualify as a domestic student, your fees are usually less — but you’ll still need a student visa.

You’re a domestic student if, for example you’re studying:

• at primary or secondary school under a government–approved exchange programme
• at primary or secondary school in NZ because your parent or legal guardian is here on a student or work visa
• for a PhD.

Definition of a domestic student in New Zealand — Ministry of Education (external link)^[L10]

Paying your living expenses

In your student visa application, you need to:

• show you have enough money to support yourself while you study in New Zealand
• include proof of where this money has come from.

Immigration New Zealand have checklists and other information to help you to prepare your application.

Student visa information and checklist — Immigration NZ (external link)^[L11]

Health and character

To get a visa, you need to be healthy and of good character.

Health requirements for a student visa

Character requirements for a student visa

Medical and travel insurance

If you’re a fee-paying student, you need approved medical and travel insurance for the length of your stay.

Contact your education provider to get help with arranging medical and travel insurance.

Students aged 9 or under

International students who are aged 9 or under must either:

• have a parent or legal guardian living with them, or
• live in a school hostel approved by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA).

Guardian of a Student Visitor Visa — Immigration NZ (external link)^[L12]

Documents to provide with your application

Your identity

You need to provide:

• a colour photo of your head and shoulders — or 2, if you apply using the printed form
• a passport that’s valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave NZ.

Acceptable visa photos — Immigration NZ (external link)^[L13]

Other supporting documents

When an institution offers you a place on their course, they will give you an ‘offer of place’ letter. You must include this with your visa application.

You may also need to provide:

• medical certificates
• police certificates, and
• translations of any documents not in English.

Fee Paying Student Visa — Immigration NZ (external link)^[L14]

Pathway Student Visa — Immigration NZ (external link)^[L15]

Application fees

Find the application fee amount and how you can pay.

Fees, decision times and where to apply — Immigration NZ (external link)^[L16]