Getting ready before applying for your Visa
You do not need a visa to study in New Zealand if you are an Australian citizen.Student visa processing is at its busiest between October and March. To avoid delays, international students are strongly encouraged to apply 3 months before their intended travel date.If you already have a student visa but intend to stay in New Zealand for longer you need to make sure that you apply for further visa at least 4 weeks before your current visa expires.
Finding the right visa for you
You can look up and choose the visa that best suit your situation here at: Visas
Enrol with your education provider
When you have decided what subject you want to study and where, you must apply for your place to study with that education provider.
Application times vary depending on the education provider, so it is best to look at their website to find out about their application process.
When you are accepted by an education provider, they will give you an 'offer of place'. You will need this offer to apply for your student visa.
Gathering Required Documents
Note: Make sure that all of your documents is in English. Document not in English
1. Offer of a place on a course
You must have been offered a place on a course by an approved education provider. You will need to provide evidence of this, or confirmation of enrolment if you are a returning student.
An offer of place must also include a declaration signed by your education provider to say they have assessed, and are satisfied, that:
- the course they offer you is appropriate to your expectations, and
- you have the English language ability and academic capability to pass the course.
2. Evidence of your health and character
Depending on your length of stay and your country background, you may need:
- A medical exam and/or chest X-ray from an INZ-approved panel physician
- Police certificates (often required for longer stays)
3. Passport and identity document
You will need to provide a valid passport, a photo that meets INZ specification, and any additional identity form depending on how you apply.
Note: Your passport or certificate of identity must be valid for at least 3 months after the date you plan to leave New Zealand.
4. Evidence of financial ability
Proof you can pay tuition fees
You must be able to show you have paid the tuition fees for 1 course, or 1 year of study — whichever is shorter.
Proof of funds for living costs
If you study for more than 1 year — on a single course or several courses — it can strengthen your application if you show us a credible plan for how you will pay for your tuition fees and living costs for the following years. For example, by showing NZI evidence of family income.
Note: All of the financial proof documents must prove that the money is from genuine source that NZI can confirm
5. Genuine Intentions (”bona fide”)
You must genuinely intend to study in New Zealand and meet the conditions of your visa.
When NZI decides if your intentions for coming to New Zealand are genuine, they will consider all the information that:
- you provide to support your application
- they have about your personal circumstances
- you have previously provided to them.
6. Medical and travel insurance
You must agree to have insurance for travel and any health care you need, from the start of your course until your visa expires. This will be a condition of your student visa.
7. Leaving New Zealand
You must be able to show that you plan to leave the country at the end of your stay.
If you are paying for yourself, you will need to provide:
- Your ticket for travel out of New Zealand at the end of your stay to a country you have the right to enter, or
- Documents, such as bank statements, that show you have enough money to buy a ticket.
Maintaining the validity of you student visa
In order to prevent your visa to be affected, you must strictly follow the conditions
1. Attendance and Progress
You must attend the course of study noted on your visa, unless you have good reason for absences.
You must make satisfactory progress in your studies.
2. Travel
If you want to travel in and out of New Zealand, you must have valid multiple-entry travel conditions on your visa.
If you are applying from inside New Zealand, NZI will normally give you multiple entry travel conditions when we grant you this visa.
If you do not have multiple entry travel conditions and you leave New Zealand, your visa will expire.
Your travel conditions will be recorded on your visa label or in your visa letter.
3. Work
You may be allowed to work part-time for up to 25 hours a week and full-time during all scheduled holidays and/or the Christmas and New Year holiday period. Check your visa conditions.
4. Others
- Maintaining required insurance
- Providing false/misleading information in the application
- Criminal charges/convictions or character issues arising during your stay
- Changing course/provider without meeting any required steps (sometimes you must apply for a variation of conditions or a new visa)
If you have any questions or you are looking to make an enquiry, feel free to Contact Us.
