New Zealand Services Immigration

Services for Students
Studying in New Zealand

If you wish to study full time in New Zealand for longer than 3 months, you will need a student visa. However, you can only get a student visa to study at an educational institution that is registered and approved by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority: www.nzqa.govt.nz

It will then be issued for the length of time your course tuition fees have been paid.

Students entering New Zealand from certain countries do not need a student visa to enter the country but they must apply for a student permit after their arrival, when they have finalised their study plans. To find out if you need to apply for a student visa, click here:
www.study-nz.com/visas_main.asp

Applying for a Student Visa

To apply for a student visa you will need:

To complete the Application to Study in New Zealand (NZIS 1012) form available from New Zealand Immigration offices in New Zealand and overseas.

A recent passport-size photograph.
Payment of a non-refundable application fee.
An 'Offer of Place' from an educational institution which states that you have been accepted by the institution, the name of the course, the minimum time required to complete the course, and whether a course fee must be paid or the student is exempt from the fee (e.g. scholarship students). The New Zealand institution that confirms your enrolment will send this ‘Offer of Place’ to you.
Evidence of payment of the fee or exemption from the fee. (Not necessary if your application is being approved in principle.)
A written guarantee from a New Zealand education institution or person that suitable accommodation is available to you in New Zealand.
Evidence of sufficient funds to live on while you are studying.
A return air ticket to your country, or evidence of sufficient funds to buy one.

If your intended course of study is more than two years you must also provide:

a completed Medical and X-ray Certificate form
a police certificate

Note: There may be additional requirements you must meet depending on the category you are applying under, or the country from which you are applying. Any special requirements can be found in the guides and application forms.

If your application is approved, your passport must be valid for three months after your planned date of departure from New Zealand.

For a checklist of things needed to apply for a student visa or permit visit www.immigration.govt.nz/migrant/stream/s

For a step by step guide to applying for a student visa, visit: www.immigration.govt.nz/migrant/stream/

Limited Purpose Student Visa

A Limited Purpose Visa is issued when the New Zealand Immigration Service considers that the applicant does not meet the normal criteria to study in New Zealand but is prepared to allow the applicant the opportunity to show they are a genuine student or a genuine visitor as the case may be.

If you intend coming to New Zealand for a short term, specific course of study and do not wish to risk being declined a normal student visa it is acceptable to apply for a Limited Purpose Student Visa in the beginning. The fees and documentation for a Student Visa and Limited Purpose Student Visa are the same.

Limited Purpose Student Visas are issued for a specific period of time so that the student can complete a particular course. The student must meet the requirements of the visa and return to their home country before the visa expires. If the student has not been able to complete the course, they are able to obtain a short-term extension to complete their course. It may be possible to extend or change a Limited Purpose Visa to a normal visa under certain circumstances.

Screening for Tuberculosis

If you are planning to study in New Zealand for more than six months, you may need to provide a completed Temporary Entry X-ray Certificate (1096) to show you have been screened for tuberculosis (TB) if you:

Have NOT previously provided a full medical screening test to the New Zealand Immigration Service and;
Do NOT hold a passport from any of the identified low TB risk countries (see below); or
Have spent (lived and/or visited) a combined total of three months or more (in the five years prior to applying) in a country/countries NOT identified as a low TB risk country (see below)

Identified low TB risk countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, The Netherlands, (New Zealand), Norway, Puerto Rico, San Marino, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States of America, Vatican City.

If you need more information, visit the immigration website: www.immigration.govt.nz