New Zealand Student Visas
Apply for a New Zealand Student Visa with expert help. Intergate guides you on studying in New Zealand, post study work visa options, and residency pathways.
- Licensed advice
- Evidence and timing
- Next step
The New Zealand Student Visa allows foreign nationals to study full-time at a NZQA-approved institution for courses lasting more than three months. Applicants must demonstrate sufficient funds, hold a return ticket or funds to purchase one, and provide a genuine student statement explaining why their chosen course suits their background and career goals. Graduates of qualifying Level 7 and above qualifications may apply for a Post Study Work Visa lasting one to three years.
Eligibility
- 01
Offer of place from a New Zealand Qualifications Authority-approved provider
The student must hold a valid offer of enrolment from a NZQA-approved institution. Study at an unapproved provider does not qualify for a student visa, and tuition fees paid to such a provider cannot be recovered if the visa is refused.
- 02
Sufficient funds to cover tuition fees and living expenses
Applicants must demonstrate access to at least NZD 20,000 per year for living expenses, in addition to evidence that tuition fees have been paid or are covered by a scholarship. Funds must be verifiable; bank statements and financial guarantees are assessed against the minimum benchmarks.
- 03
Genuine student status: the course must be appropriate for the applicant's background and goals
Immigration New Zealand assesses whether the chosen course is a logical progression from the applicant's academic history and career goals. Course choices that appear inconsistent with prior study or professional background raise questions about genuine intent.
- 04
Proof of onward travel or funds to purchase a return ticket
Student visa applicants must demonstrate they have a return ticket or sufficient funds to purchase one. This is part of the assessment of genuine temporary intent and willingness to depart after the course concludes.
- 05
Health and character requirements
Medical examinations may be required depending on the applicant's home country and the course duration. Police certificates are required for study programmes exceeding 24 months. Meeting health and character requirements is mandatory for all long-term visas.
- 06
Medical and travel insurance valid for the duration of the visa
All student visa holders must hold appropriate medical and travel insurance for the entire period of their visa in New Zealand. Evidence of insurance must be provided or obtained before the visa is granted.
Mistakes that cost a refusal
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Enrolling in a course that does not qualify for post-study work rights without checking in advance; many students discover after completing their qualification that the course or institution level does not entitle them to a Post Study Work Visa.
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Submitting incomplete or inconsistent financial evidence; funds shown in multiple accounts in different currencies without clear explanation do not satisfy the minimum benchmark and lead to requests for further information.
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Providing a weak or generic explanation of why the chosen course suits the applicant's background and career goals; genuine student intent must be demonstrated explicitly, not assumed.
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Failing to disclose previous visa refusals in any country; non-disclosure is treated as a credibility and character issue and is far more damaging than the original refusal.
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Applying at the last minute without leaving adequate time for processing; student visas must be decided before the course start date, and late applications risk missing the enrolment window.
From first call to grant
01 · 1-2 wk
Strategy
Course and institution selection against NZQA approval status, post-study work rights eligibility check, genuine student statement planning, and financial evidence review.
02 · 2-4 wk
CoE and funds
Offer of enrolment confirmed, tuition fees paid or scholarship documented, living expenses funds verified, and insurance arranged.
03 · 1-2 wk
Genuine student statement
Statement drafted addressing academic background, course rationale, career goals, and intent to return home after study.
04 · 1 wk
Lodgement
Application lodged online with INZ with all required documents and fees paid.
05 · 2-6 wk
Decision and grant
INZ processes the application; requests for further information are responded to promptly. Visa granted before course start date.
What that buys you
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Licensed Immigration Advisers draft genuine student statements that directly address INZ's assessment criteria, linking the course specifically to the applicant's background and goals rather than using a generic template.
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Post-study pathway planning: advisers advise on which courses and institution levels qualify for Post Study Work Visas and, from there, which skilled migration pathways are available.
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Financial evidence structuring: advisers know what INZ accepts as evidence of funds and how to present money held across multiple accounts, currencies, or sources in a way that satisfies the minimum benchmarks.
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Prior refusal management: applicants with previous INZ or Australian refusals face higher scrutiny; advisers assess the prior refusal and advise on how to address it in the new application.
We work on a transparent flat fee, quoted at the consultation. We do not publish prices because the right number is the case-specific one.
New Zealand Student Visa
The student visa is required for any study at a NZQA-approved institution lasting more than three months. It permits part-time work of up to 20 hours per week during the academic term and full-time hours during scheduled breaks. The visa is valid for the full duration of the enrolled programme, up to four years. Medical and travel insurance must be maintained for the entire visa period.
Post Study Work Visa
The Post Study Work Visa is an open work visa available to graduates of qualifying qualifications (Level 7 and above, or certain Level 4 to 6 diplomas) after completing their programme. It allows work for any employer without a job offer requirement and is valid for one to three years depending on the qualification level and where in New Zealand the applicant studied. Regional study attracts an additional year. Not all qualifications and institutions qualify; planning the study route with the post-study pathway in mind before enrolment is essential to avoid discovering eligibility gaps after graduation.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can I work while studying in New Zealand on a student visa?
Yes. Most student visa holders can work up to 20 hours per week during the academic term and full-time during scheduled course breaks. Work rights depend on the type of study and the institution level. Students enrolled in lower-level courses at private training establishments may have more restricted work entitlements.
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How do I qualify for a Post Study Work Visa after graduating?
To qualify for the Post Study Work Visa, you must have completed a Level 7 or higher qualification (or certain Level 4 to 6 diplomas), studied full-time in New Zealand for a minimum period, and apply within a defined window after completing your course. The visa duration is one to three years, depending on the qualification level and where in New Zealand you studied.
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Can my family join me while I study in New Zealand?
Partners of students enrolled in Level 7 and above qualifications may be eligible for a partner visa allowing them to live in New Zealand. Work rights for the partner depend on the institution and qualification level. Dependent children can accompany the student; their ability to attend school depends on whether they hold a dependent child student visa.
Next step
Speak with a licensed advisor about your visa options.
A focused consultation routed to the right licensed advisor. Continue independently after the call, or proceed with us and have the consultation fee deducted from the service fee.