Study in New Zealand: The Visa

An overview of Visas granted by the NZ Immigration Authority:

Work visa

    There are two types of work visas: temporary and permanent visas. The temporary work visa allows you to work in New Zealand for a limited period of time. You can also undergo any academic training or study at an institute in New Zealand up to three months with the temporary work visa. 

     The second type is the permanent work visa which entitles you to work and live in New Zealand permanently. In order to apply to this visa, you may first apply for a temporary work visa and then change it to permanent one. 

       More information on applying to work visas can be found here.

Visitor's visa

     In case you only want to visit New Zealand for a short duration and do not intend to study or work there, then you are going to need a Visitor visa. All citizens and permanent residents of Australia and New Zealand are exempt from this visa. 

   More information on the criteria for exemption and steps to apply can be found here.

Investor's Visa

  This visa is confined to business class where experienced investors and entrepreneurs wish to expand or relocate their business in New Zealand. This type of Visa entitles such people to live permanently in New Zealand.

Student Visa

  

    If you are going to New Zealand to study a course for more than three months then you must apply for a student visa. All international students aspiring to study a long term course or program in New Zealand will need a student visa to do so. You don't need this visa if you are a citizen of New Zealand or Australia or a permanent resident of either of the two. 

      Exchange students can apply for a student exchange visa provided they are offered admission through an approved exchange scheme.

       More information on the eligibility requirements can be found here.

All about Student Visa:

• You can stay on a student visa in New Zealand for up to four years. The length of your stay depends on various factors such as the duration of your program, type of study - full time or part time, fee status, whether you have been awarded any scholarship etc.

         More information can be found on the Immigration New Zealand website.

• You are allowed to work for up to 20 hours per week and full time during summer vacations provided your full time study program meets certain requirements. There are different regulations for both part time and full time work rights depending on the program of your study.

• If you are enrolled in Masters by research or doctoral program, there are no restrictions on the number of hours you work.

Application process:

    One can apply for a student visa through the online application system at the Immigration New Zealand website.

    The amount charged and the mode of payment depends on your country of citizenship. More information can be found here.

   Supporting documents: Scan and upload the following documents into the online application system.

• Admission letter from the University where you'll begin your studies.

• Document of a current medical or travel insurance regardless of the duration of your stay in New Zealand.

• Financial documents to prove that you have sufficient funds to support yourself for the duration of your stay.

• For a course duration less than or up to nine months, the current amount is NZ$1250 per month and for a study program more than 9 months it is NZ$15,000 per year of your study.

• Any scholarships or financial assistance granted should be documented.

• You may have to fill in additional forms depending on your fee status. Refer more to the Student Visa section on the Immigration New Zealand website.

• Proof that you plan to leave the country after your study. This may be a return airline ticket or funds kept aside for the purchase of ticket, in addition to the above mentioned funds.

• Passport valid throughout the duration of your stay.

• A photo which meets all specifications and is not more than 6 months old. To know the technical specifications of the photo, click here.

   One can also apply for visa using paper application forms. More details can be found here.

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