NewZealand - Requirements Student Visa

To get a visa or permit to study in New Zealand you must meet their requirements for international students. The course you intend to undertake must also meet immigration department requirements.

Offer of a place

To get a student visa, you need to have an offer of a place from a New Zealand education provider. The offer must include:
  • - the name of the course and the minimum time required for completing it, and 
  • - proof that the course and course provider meet New Zealand’s requirements for international students,
    and 
  • - the amount of the fee for the complete course, or if the course is longer than one year, the annual fee, 
    and
  • - whether you have to pay course fees and whether the fees are domestic or foreign fees,
    and
  • - whether you are studying full-time or part-time.
Your course must be approved by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA).


Guardians

You may have to be accompanied by a guardian (your parent or legal guardian), who will come to New Zealand with you. You need a guardian if you are enrolled in years 1 to 8 of a school, or a student aged 13 or under and enrolled in a private training establishment.

Health and character

You have to meet our health and character requirements and prove to immigration department that your intent is genuine.
Some people who have committed serious crimes will not be allowed into New Zealand at all.

Evidence of funds to support yourself

To gain a student visa or permit they want to see that you are able to meet your living costs during your stay.

Evidence may include:

  • - enough money held in New Zealand by you, or on your behalf,
  • - an undertaking by another person to cover your accommodation and living costs (we’ll want to see this before you leave for New Zealand),
  • - an undertaking by a New Zealand sponsor to cover your accommodation and living costs, or
  • - financial assistance available to you under aid programmes operated in New Zealand by a government agency.

Courses less than nine months

If the course you intend to study lasts less than nine months you’ll need to show you have access to:
  • - NZ$1000 for each month of your stay,
  • - NZ$400 for each month, if your accommodation is already paid for (you will need to show them that you’ve paid),
    or
  • - a letter from your education provider saying that your accommodation and other living costs are included in the package you’ve already paid for.

Courses more than nine months

If the course you intend to study lasts more than nine months you’ll need to show them you have access to:
  • - NZ$10,000 per year to cover your costs during your stay in New Zealand, or
  • - if you are a citizen of Samoa or Tonga, a written guarantee from a relative who is a New Zealand citizen or resident that they will cover your living costs.