New Zealand Student Visa: A Complete Guide for Full-Time International Students

If you plan to study full-time at an approved education provider in New Zealand for a course that runs longer than 3 months, you will need a New Zealand Student Visa. This visa – officially the Fee Paying Student Visa – lets international students live in New Zealand for the length of their programme, work part-time, and travel in and out of the country while their course is underway.

This guide walks through who actually needs the visa, what it costs, what documents you’ll need, how long it takes, and what happens after you graduate.

Who Needs a New Zealand Student Visa

You need a student visa if you are not a New Zealand or Australian citizen and you plan to study full-time for more than 3 months. If your course is shorter than 3 months, a visitor visa or NZeTA may be enough instead.

The visa covers a wide range of study, including:

• Undergraduate degrees (Bachelor’s)
• Postgraduate study (Graduate Diplomas, Master’s, and PhDs)
• Diplomas and certificates at polytechnics and private training establishments
• English language courses
• Primary, intermediate, and secondary school study

Your education provider must be approved and, for tertiary and international learners, a signatory to the Education (Pastoral Care of Tertiary and International Learners) Code of Practice 2021, which protects the well being and safety of international students in New Zealand.

Benefits of Studying in New Zealand

Beyond the classroom, the student visa itself comes with some practical advantages:

• Part-time work rights – you can work up to 25 hours a week during term time and full-time during scheduled holidays, depending on your visa conditions.
• Multiple entries – you can travel in and out of New Zealand while your course is running, as long as your visa carries valid travel conditions.
• A pathway to longer stays – many graduates go on to apply for a Post Study Work Visa, which can lead toward skilled work and, eventually, residence.
• Family visa options – depending on your qualification level, your partner and children may be able to apply for their own visas to join you.

If you’re comparing New Zealand against other destinations while you plan your studies, it’s worth looking at what’s available closer to home too – students weighing visa options across African countries will find that New Zealand’s straightforward, points-free student visa process is one of its biggest draws.

Degree Levels and Fields of Study

New Zealand’s tertiary system uses the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF), which ranks qualifications from certificates to doctorates. International students commonly apply for:

• Certificates and diplomas (Levels 4-6) in trades, hospitality, business, and IT
• Bachelor’s degrees (Level 7) across fields like engineering, science, education, and commerce
• Graduate diplomas and postgraduate certificates (Level 7-8) for career-changers or specialization
• Master’s degrees (Level 9) in fields such as data science, public health, and management
• Doctoral (PhD) study (Level 10), which comes with its own fee structure and, notably, an exemption from the insurance requirement that applies to other student visa holders

The qualification level you choose matters beyond your studies – it directly affects your work rights while studying and your eligibility for post-study work visas later on, so it’s worth checking your intended course against current Immigration New Zealand settings before you enroll.

Eligibility Requirements

Immigration New Zealand assesses your Fee Paying Student Visa application as a whole, but there are several core requirements you must meet.

Offer of Place

You need a genuine offer of place from an approved education provider (or a confirmation of enrollment if you’re a returning student). The offer must state your course name, its length, whether it’s full-time or part-time, and – for multi-year courses – the scheduled holiday dates. If you’re applying from outside New Zealand, a conditional offer is accepted initially, but you’ll need an unconditional one before your visa is approved.

Financial Requirements

You must show you can cover both tuition fees and living costs. For most tertiary, English language, or other non-compulsory study, the current minimum is:

• NZD $20,000 per year for courses of 1 year or longer, or
• NZD $1,667 per month for courses shorter than 1 year

For compulsory schooling (Years 1–13), the minimum is NZD $17,000 per year or NZD $1,417 per month. Acceptable evidence includes bank statements, fixed-term deposits, scholarship confirmation, an education loan with a sanction letter, or a sponsor or guarantor who agrees to cover your costs. Citizens of certain countries – including China, India, Nepal, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam – may be eligible to use the Funds Transfer Scheme instead of showing funds upfront.

Health and Character

You must be in good health and may be asked for a chest X-ray (typically required for stays over 6 months from countries with a higher incidence of tuberculosis) or a medical examination (usually required for stays over 12 months). You’ll also need a police certificate if you’re 17 or older and your total time in New Zealand will reach 24 months or more.

Insurance

You must have medical and travel insurance that meets the standards of the Pastoral Care Code and is acceptable to your education provider, running from the start of your course until your visa expires. PhD students are exempt from this requirement.

Genuine Intentions

Immigration officers must be satisfied that you genuinely intend to study and that you plan to leave New Zealand once your visa expires – or transition to another visa lawfully. Evidence such as IELTS or TOEFL scores, while not mandatory, can help support this.

Documents You’ll Need

When you apply, be ready to upload:

• A high-quality scan of your passport’s information page
• One acceptable photo
• Your offer of place or confirmation of enrollment
• Evidence of tuition fee payment or ability to pay
• Evidence of sufficient funds for living costs (or sponsor/guarantor documents)
• Proof of medical and travel insurance
• Police certificates, if required
• A chest X-ray or medical certificate, if required
• Evidence of a return ticket or funds to buy one
• Certified English translations of any non-English documents

Visa Cost and Processing Time

The Fee Paying Student Visa costs from NZD $850, which includes the application fee, the immigration levy, and the International Visitor Levy where applicable. Immigration New Zealand reports that 80% of applications are processed within 8.5 weeks, so it’s wise to apply at least 3 months before your intended travel date. Applications are now submitted entirely online; paper applications are no longer accepted for this visa.

The visa itself can be issued for up to 4 years, though it’s usually granted for the length of study you’ve paid for.

How to Apply: Step by Step

1. Secure your place – apply to and get accepted by your chosen education provider, and receive your offer of place.
2. Gather your documents – including financial evidence, insurance, and any medical or police certificates required.
3. Apply online through the official Immigration New Zealand portal, upload your documents, and pay the visa fee.
4. Wait for a decision – if you’re already in New Zealand and your current visa expires while you wait, you’ll normally be issued an Interim Visa to stay lawfully.
5. Receive your eVisa – once approved, you’ll get an eVisa by email, which you’ll need when you travel and check in for your flight.

For full, up-to-date details, always check the official Immigration New Zealand student visa page before submitting your application, since fees and requirements are reviewed periodically.

Work Rights While Studying

Most student visa holders can work part-time up to 25 hours a week during term and full-time during scheduled holidays, provided their visa conditions allow it. If you’re 16 or 17 and studying at a tertiary provider, or in Years 12-13 at school, you’ll need written permission from both your parent or guardian and your education provider. To work legally, you’ll also need an IRD number from Inland Revenue so tax can be deducted correctly.

After You Graduate: Post-Study Work Options

Many students choose New Zealand because of what comes after graduation. The Post Study Work Visa allows eligible graduates to stay and work for up to 3 years, depending on their qualification level – graduates with a Bachelor’s degree or higher (Level 7+) generally receive the most flexible, open work rights. You’ll need at least NZD $5,000 in available funds, and you can only hold this visa once.

Immigration New Zealand has also announced a Short-Term Graduate Work Visa, offering up to 6 months of open work rights for eligible graduates who don’t qualify for the standard Post Study Work Visa, alongside an expansion of Post Study Work Visa eligibility for certain Level 7 graduate diploma holders. Because these settings are still evolving, check the official Immigration New Zealand post-study work page for the rules that apply on your intended course start date.

If your study or career plans extend beyond New Zealand and you’re also exploring options such as studying or relocating within Africa, comparing post-study work rights side by side can help you decide which country offers the strongest long-term pathway for your field.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a student visa for a 3-month course?

No. If your course is shorter than 3 months and you already hold a visitor, work, or student visa, you don’t need a separate student visa. Courses longer than 3 months require the Fee Paying Student Visa.

How much money do I need to show for a New Zealand student visa?

For most tertiary or English language study, you need NZD $20,000 per year (or $1,667 per month for courses under a year). For compulsory schooling, it’s NZD $17,000 per year (or $1,417 per month).

Can I work while studying in New Zealand?

Yes. Most student visa holders can work up to 25 hours a week during term time and full-time during scheduled holidays, subject to their visa conditions and, for younger students, written permission.

How long does it take to get a New Zealand student visa?

Immigration New Zealand processes 80% of applications within 8.5 weeks. It’s recommended to apply at least 3 months before your planned travel date to allow for any extra document requests.

Do I need a medical exam or police certificate?

It depends on your stay length and nationality. A chest X-ray is generally required for stays over 6 months from higher-risk countries, a medical certificate for stays over 12 months, and a police certificate if you’re 17 or older and your total time in New Zealand will be 24 months or more.

Can my family join me on a student visa?

You cannot include a partner or dependent children directly on your own student visa application, but they can apply separately for visas based on their relationship to you, depending on your qualification level.

What happens if my course finishes before my visa does?

Your visa is generally issued for the length of study you’ve paid for. If you want to continue studying beyond that, you’ll need to apply for a further student visa – ideally at least 4 weeks before your current visa expires.

Can I get a job in New Zealand after I graduate?

Yes, if you’re eligible for a Post Study Work Visa, which can allow up to 3 years of work depending on your qualification level, or the newer Short-Term Graduate Work Visa for those who don’t qualify for the standard pathway.

This article is intended as general information and does not replace official immigration advice. Requirements, fees, and processing times can change – always confirm current details with Immigration New Zealand before applying.