New Zealand Student Visa
If you plan to study in New Zealand full time and the course is longer than 3 months, you had better to obtain a student visa. If you’re studying a short course that’s less than three months, you don’t need a student visa: just a visitor visa.
With this type of visa you can:
- Study full-time at the course stated on your visa – this includes schools, tertiary (study after secondary school) and English language study.
- Work part-time up to 20 hours a week while studying or full-time in the holidays, depending on your visa conditions.
- Live by yourself above a certain age, otherwise you’ll need to come with your parent or legal guardian.
REQUIREMENTS OF STUDENT VISA
You should prepare the following documents with your visa application
- An offer of place from an approved education provider
- Evidence that you have enough money to pay your tuition fees or proof that you paid you tuition fees.
- Your passport and acceptable passport-style photo(s)
- Proof of funds – $15,000 per year to live on while you are studying
- A copy of your return air ticket to your country, or proof that you have enough money to buy one
- An accommodation guarantee, if you’re under 18
- You may also be asked to provide a medical certificate and chest x-ray, and a police certificate.
HOW TO APPLY FOR A STUDENT VISA
Step 1: Gather your supporting documents
You’re likely to get a quicker decision if you supply all the information Immigration New Zealand (INZ) needs when you apply. If you apply online you’ll need to scan your documents before you upload them.
Step 2: Decide to apply your visa online or using the printed form.
It recommened to apply you visa online because it will take less time to process your application.
Step 3: Submit your visa application
If applying online, you will need to fill out visa application online and upload all required documents. If you submit your visa application offline, download the visa application form and submit with required documents.
Step 4: Wait for visa decision
If you apply online, you’ll usually get an eVisa. Print it out or keep it on your mobile phone so, if you need to, you can show it at the border when you arrive.
PROCESSING TIME OF STUDENT VISA
Student visas applied for online usually take 20 days to process, while student visas applied for via the paper form take 25 days to process. Most New Zealand student visa applications are processed within 3 to 4 weeks, but they can take longer in some situations.
DURATION OF STUDENT VISA
Your Student Visa is normally for the same length of time as the study you’ve paid for.
COST OF NEW ZEALAND STUDENT VISA
Fees for New Zealand student visa is $250.