Student Visa for New Zealand

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     Studying in New Zealand for any overseas person means they must meet the basic visa requirements.If you are not already in New Zealand and are applying to New Zealand to study, you must complete the requirements for the issue of a student visa.

     If you plan to study one short course in New Zealand for less than 3 months you do not need a student visa but can apply for visitor visa (provided the course is approved by the NZQA). If you plan to study two or more than short courses you will need a student visa or permit. If you want to study in New Zealand for longer than 3 months you will need a student visa or permit.

         Australian citizens do not need a visa or permit to study in New Zealand.

Basic Requirements

     You will be given the required forms by the New Zealand Government office (the visa issuing officer) in your country. Requirements for a student visa will normally include :

1) A written offer of a place, which notifies you that you have been accepted by an educational institution in New Zealand to study there.

2) Either A receipt for payment of course fees (You are not required to produce the receipt before your application has been approved in principle) OR - Evidence that you are exempt from course fees. For e.g. A New Zealand Government Scholarship.

3) A complete and signed ‘Application for Student Visa’ form, with a passport-size photograph. You will be required to pay a non-refundable student visa application fee.

4) A guarantee of accommodation - a written assurance from an educational institution or other person that suitable residential accommodation is available to you in New Zealand.

5) Your passport or certificate of identity, which must be valid for the period of time for which you are applying to study.

6) Evidence that funds are available for your maintenance throughout your stay. One of the four is acceptable as evidence

7) A completed ‘Sponsoring a student’ form, in which your sponsor gives a financial undertaking that he or she can transfer to New Zealand NZ $7,000 a year : this amount is considered minimum for a year’s living expenses.

8) A letter from your educational institution confirming that your living expenses have already been paid for as part of your fees.

9) A bank document showing that funds of the required amount will be available to you in New Zealand ($1000 for each month of your stay for short term study, $7000 a year for long term study).

Requirements to study in New Zealand for more than 24 Months

1) Completed New Zealand Immigration service medical and chest X-ray certificates.

2) Character clearances, which must be two original character references (if under 17 years of age), or a local police clearance (if you are 17 and over).You will be advised of the procedure for obtaining these by the New Zealand government office.

     All these documents are essential before a student visa is issued. When the overseas New Zealand government office is satisfied that your application is complete and in order, you will be issued a student visa.

Students willing to work in New Zealand

Overseas students wanting to travel to New Zealand can apply for a six month open work permit if they have just completed a course that is recognized under the Skilled Migrant Category.

1) Eligible students will be able to apply to work for up to 20 hours a week during a term.

2) Anyone on a course for 12 months or more can apply to work full-time over the summer holidays.

3) Partners of students studying in areas of absolute skill shortage or partners of all post-graduate students can apply for an open work permit which is valid for the duration of the student’s studying.