NEW ZEALAND STUDENT VISA PROGRAM
Students wishing to study in New Zealand for more than three months are required to apply for a New Zealand Student Visa. A student visa will allow them to study in New Zealand for a specified period of time.
International students can apply for one of the three types of student visas in New Zealand:
- Fee paying student visa: This visa is for students who wish to study full time for up to four years. To obtain the visa the applicant needs to pay the full cost of their courses and enrol themselves with an approved education provider in New Zealand.
- Foreign government supported student visa: This visa is for students receiving a scholarship or loan from a foreign government to pursue their studies in New Zealand.
- Pathway student visa: This visa is for students who wish to pursue more than one course or apply for more than one program consecutively.
The most common student visa for New Zealand for international students is the fee paying student visa.
With the Fee Paying Student Visa and Foreign Government Supported Student Visa you can:
- Study full-time for the course mentioned on your visa. The student visa conditions require the applicant to attend the place of study endorsed on their visa.
- Work part-time up to 20 hours a week when the course is ongoing. You can work full-time during the holidays, depending on the visa conditions.
- Live by yourself above a certain age. If less than the stated age, you will need to live with your parents or a legal guardian
With the Pathway Student Visa you can:
- Study up to 3 courses consecutively.
- Work part-time up to 20 hours a week when the course is ongoing. You can work full-time during the holidays, depending on the visa conditions.
New Zealand student visa processing time
The average processing time for an NZ student visa is around two and seven weeks.
- 50% of applications are processed in 13 days
- 75% of applications are processed in 24 days
- 90% of applications are processed in 46 days
Below mentioned are the Visa requirements to apply for a Student Visa in New Zealand
- A Passport having validity of minimum of three months post the completion of the period of stay in New Zealand
- A letter of acceptance from a New Zealand education provider stating the course duration and tuition fee.
- The course should be approved by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority.
- An offer of a place to stay from an approved educational institution.
- Financial Documents like bank statements etc. to show you can support yourself in New Zealand.
- Medical certificate
- Police clearance certificate
- Medical and travel insurance
- The ability to speak or write English is not a mandatory requirement for student visa applications. Check with your education provider to know the requirements for acceptance to their course.
You can stay In New Zealand and study for a period of 4 years on a Fee paying student visa and Foreign Government Supported Visa.
A Pathway Student Visa allows the student to stay in New Zealand for 5 years
Gathering the Required documents:
Before making an application for a student visa, the most important step is to ensure all the documents are in place. An offer letter from the educational institute, financial records, passport, health certificate, police verification certificate and other eligibility test results.
Application Submission
The visa application online is done by submitting the application form through Immigration New Zealand’s online platform.
Visa Approval
The visa approval may take 2 to 7 weeks and sometimes you may be required to provide more information or documents as evidence to support your visa application. On visa approval, you can fly to New Zealand.
FAQs
1. Has applications for New Zealand Student visa opened for 2022?
New Zealand has announced that it will allow visa-holders to enter the country three months earlier than planned, effective from 31 July. This move is in response to the recent global shortage of visas. The Government has announced that the borders will now be fully reopened by the end of July, which means that the opening date for student visa categories has been brought forward from October.
2. How expensive it is to study in New Zealand?
International undergraduate students can expect to pay around $22,000-$32,000 per year tuition fees for their bachelor’s degree courses. If graduating in subjects like medicine or veterinary science, the fees can be much higher. Most of the bachelor’s courses in New Zealand take three years to complete.
3. Can you work while studying in New Zealand?
Students with valid New Zealand Student visa can work up to 20 hours a week and full time during their scheduled vacations or holidays, depending on their visa conditions.
4. Can I study more than one course in New Zealand?
Yes, you can study for more than one course in New Zealand? By applying for a Pathway Student Visa you can study up to 3 courses consecutively. The application for this visa can be made online.