Who needs a Student Visa?

Most international students will require a permit that sets out the conditions of their stay in New Zealand.  Citizens from visa-free countries will be able to stay in New Zealand with their permit.  Any other citizens will also need a student visa.

 
If you comply with any of the following, you will not need a visa or a permit: 

    * a New Zealand citizen, or

    * a New Zealand resident, or

    * the holder of a valid Australian passport, or

    * the holder of a current Australian Permanent Resident Visa, or

    * the holder of a current Australian Resident Return Visa.

 
If the course of study is a single short course of less than 90 days duration, and is approved or exempted by NZQA, the student does not need a student visa, and can apply for a visitor visa.

 
If you intend to study more than one short course of study or training, you will need to apply for a student visa or permit.

Restricted entry

You may be refused a visa or be issued with a limited purpose visa to study in New Zealand for the following reasons;

 if you are not of an acceptable standard of health and/or character; or

• if you are unable to satisfy a visa or immigration officer that you are entering New Zealand for a genuine lawful purpose; or

• if, in the assessment of the visa or immigration offi cer, you are likely to remain in New Zealand unlawfully or likely to breach the conditions of your Student Permit; or

• if you are a person to whom section 7 of the Immigration Act 1987 applies and you have not been given a special direction authorising entry (section 7 applies to people who: have been sentenced to imprisonment for 5 years or more; have been sentenced to imprisonment for 12 months or more in the last 10 years; have been deported from any country; are suspected of being likely to constitute a danger to New Zealand's security or public order; considered likely to commit an offence against the Crimes Act 1961 or Misuse of Drugs Act 1975)

 
What requirements do students have to meet?

Before applying for a student permit or visa, the applicant must have formally been offered a place by the education provider. Students must also meet some general requirements both before they arrive and during their stay in New Zealand.

 
How Do I Apply?

You can apply by completing and submitting the Application to Study in New Zealand (NZIS 1012) yourself, or you can ask another person to assist you.

 
When should I apply for a Student Visa?

Prospective international students can only apply for a Student Visa while they are living outside of New Zealand and have received an offer of a place.

 
Students who are already in New Zealand on a Student Permit require a Student Visa if they want to leave and return to New Zealand.

 
When should I apply for a Student Permit?

If you are already living in New Zealand on another permit, such as a Work Permit, and intend to study full time, you will require a Student Permit.  If you intend to study part time, you will need to apply for a Variation of Conditions to your current permit.

 
You should apply for a Student Permit if you are already living in New Zealand and have received a formal offer of a place from an education provider.

 
What documentats are required?

You must provide all the relevant evidence listed on the checklist on the front pages of the Application to Study in New Zealand (NZIS 1012). If you do not provide all of the necessary documents, your application may be returned to you. All applicants under Student policy must be bona fide applicants, be of good character and of an acceptable standard of health.

Evidence of genuine intent to stay in New Zealand temporarily for a lawful purpose may include:

• any information or submissions showing you have a legitimate need to spend time in New Zealand for a specific period; and

• any documents or submissions showing you meet the Student policy provisions.

 
If you intend to be in New Zealand for more than six months you may need to provide the following as evidence you are in good health:

• A completed Temporary Entry X-ray Certificate (NZIS 1096);

or

• A completed Medical and X-ray Certificate (NZIS 1007).

Please read the Health Requirements Leafl et (NZIS 1121) for further details of the health information you may need to submit with your application.

 If you are aged 17 years or over and intend being in New Zealand for 24 months or longer, or are required by a visa or immigration officer to provide evidence of your character, you must submit the following:

• Police certificates from your country of citizenship (unless you can provide satisfactory evidence that you have never lived there) and from any country in which you have lived for 5 or more years since you were 17 years old.

Note: All police certificates must be less than 6 months old when you make your application.

For information on how to obtain a police certificate you can visit www.immigration.govt.nz/policecertificate

 
Can I work on a student permit/visa?

Student Permits are not issued with work allowances however you may apply for a Variation of Conditions on your student permit to work for up to 20 hours per week during term time, and 40 hours per week during holidays if you meet the following criteria:

• you are undertaking a full-time course of study at a Private Training Establishment or Tertiary Institution, of at least 2 academic years duration; or

• you are undertaking a full-time course of study culminating in a New Zealand qualification that would qualify for points under the Skilled Migrant Category of residence policy; or

• engaged in a full-time, course of study of at least 6 months duration at a Private Training Establishment or

Tertiary Institution, and a visa or immigration officer is satisfied that the primary purpose of the course of study is to develop English language skills, and you have an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) overall band score of 5.0 or above (General Academic Module) at the time of application for a Student Visa or Permit.

Note: No person who holds a Student Visa and/or Permit may work in self-employment; or provide commercial sexual services or operate or invest in a business of prostitution.

New Zealand Agency of International Development (NZAID) supported students are not permitted to work unless NZAID and the relevant education provider have given their written approval and the work is a compulsory requirement to fulfil practical experience for their course of study, or is related to their postgraduate course of study.

If do not meet the above criteria, you may apply for a Variation of Conditions to allow you to work during the Christmas and New Year holiday period at the end of each academic year, provided you are undertaking a full-time course of study of 12 months or more duration. An offer of employment is not required.

Note: A fee is payable for a Variation of Conditions; however, if it is sought in conjunction with a visa and/or permit, the application fee may be waived.

Can I extend my permit/visa?

Students can extend their existing permits/visas whilst they are in New Zealand although they need to allow enough time for a decision to be made on their application before their current permit expires.  If the student's existing permit expires, their application for a further permit does not make their stay in New Zealand lawful and they will have to leave the country.

Can my husband or wife and children come with me?

Your partner and children may be able to travel with you although they will need to apply for their own appropriate visa; either a visitor visa or a student visa if they will also be studying.

As an overseas student, will I need medical insurance?

Student Permit holders are generally not eligible for publicly-funded health and disability services.

Overseas students are strongly recommended to have comprehensive health insurance for the duration of their visit.

If you are covered by New Zealand’s Reciprocal Health Agreements (a citizen of New Zealand, Australia or UK) you may be entitled to publicly funded health care although this is for immediately necessary medical treatment only.