How To Get Study Visa For New Zealand
Home to glorious landscapes, a friendly culture and vibrant cities, New Zealand’s appeal is strong. If it’s study opportunities you seek, its reputation as a world leader in education will meet your aspirations. With this country ranked fourth over the world in the 2016 Education Index, there are plenty of reasons to explore gaining student visas here:
I have provided brief information about the following study visa options that you can use to get a study visa for New Zealand:
So you want to study in New Zealand, but how can you get a visa? It’s not as simple as just filling out some forms. There are multiple categories of visas available and different conditions that need to be met. For example, there are fees you will have to pay and your English language proficiency scores must be good enough. You must also prove that your general health is good enough for the time you will be staying here, and then there’s the work rights. You’ll need a work permit if you want to work while studying, but if you just want to study and not work that’s fine as well. All of this can seem very daunting, but it doesn’t have to be with the right help.
How To Get Study Visa For New Zealand
ICS is one of the top private training providers in New Zealand, we offer a variety of courses ranging from English language and study visas to careers guidance.
When it comes to choosing which country to study, there are a lot of things that needs to be considered. Each country has its own rules and regulations as well as type of courses/topics(eg Medicine, Engineering). The fact that you want to get your education from New Zealand doesn’t mean you are only limited to this one country though.
New Zealand has always been a popular destination for international students. It’s the land of ‘100% pure’, good living and adventure!
Before you apply for a student visa
Before you start your application, you need to plan your study, work out how you’ll support yourself in NZ and check which documents you need to provide with your application.
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Find out how COVID-19 affects student visa holders and their education providers.
Student visa and COVID-19 information — Immigration NZ
Making study and travel plans before you apply
To qualify for a student visa, you’ll need:
- to be accepted for a course at an education institute approved by the Ministry of Education or the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA)
- money for your tuition fees or proof that you have a scholarship that pays your fees
- proof you have enough money to live on while you’re in NZ, and
- a ticket out of NZ or evidence that you enough money to buy one.
Fee Paying Student Visa — criteria
Pathway Student Visa — criteria
Note: The dependent children of people who already hold a work visa or a student visa do not need to be accepted for a course before they apply for a student visa.
Visa factsheet: Dependent Child Student Visa
Choosing a course
Find a programme of study or qualification that suits you.
Find primary, intermediate and secondary schools that teach international students.
If you’re applying for a Pathway Student Visa, you must study with a Pathway Education Provider.
Study fees
Most people who come to NZ to study pay full fees as international students.
Domestic students
If you qualify as a domestic student, your fees are usually less — but you’ll still need a student visa.
You’re a domestic student if, for example you’re:
- studying at primary or secondary school under a government-approved exchange programme
- studying at primary or secondary school in NZ because your parent or legal guardian is here on a student or work visa
- studying for a PhD.
Definition of a domestic student in New Zealand
Paying your living expenses
To support yourself while you study in NZ, you need to show you have one of the following:
- NZD$15,000 for your first year of study
- NZD$1250 for each month if your programme of study is less than 36 months
- a scholarship, such as a New Zealand Aid Programme scholarship, or
- a sponsor or family member who’s agreed to accept financial responsibility for you while you’re in NZ.
Health and character
To get a visa, you need to be healthy and of good character.
Health requirements for a student visa
Character requirements for a student visa
Health insurance
If you’re a fee paying student, you need approved medical and travel insurance. Contact your education provider to get help with arranging medical and travel insurance.
Students aged 9 or younger
International students who are 9 or younger must:
- have a parent or legal guardian living with them, or
- live in a school hostel approved by NZQA.
Visa factsheet: Guardian of a Student Visitor Visa
Documents to provide with your application
Your identity
You need to provide:
- a colour photo of your head and shoulders — or 2, if you apply using the printed form
- a passport that’s valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave NZ.
Other supporting documents
If you’ve been offered a place on a course of study, the institution you’ll study at gives you a document confirming your place. You must include this with your visa application.
You may also have to provide:
- medical certificates
- police certificates, and
- translations of any documents not in English.