Applying for a Student Visa to Study in New Zealand | Study with New Zealand

We have put together a helpful guide to walk you through the steps you need to take before you apply for your visas, as well as the visa application itself.

There are a couple of important things you need to do before you’re ready to apply for a visa.

Take a look at the Study with New Zealand website for study options across the country, as well as more information about New Zealand in general.

You can search all available courses and programmes using our course finder tool here. Be sure to check the intake date too.

Alternatively, you can register for a Study with New Zealand account for personalised recommendations. Your preferences will be analysed by an algorithm, and you will be provided with a list of the ten most compatible education providers and course options.

These options have a level of compatibility with you, expressed as a percentage.

For tertiary students, the algorithm suggests courses. For school-level students, the algorithm suggests providers.

Next, you should apply to the institution that feels like the best fit for you and ensure you meet their requirements - this might include taking an English Language test. Not all institutions require English Language Tests, so it is best to check with your chosen institution first.

You may also be asked for an academic transcript, a portfolio of your work and even your passport. Many institutions will also conduct an interview.

If your application is accepted, you will be given an offer of place. Sometimes you may be given a “conditional” offer of place, which means there are still outstanding requirements you need to meet.

Once you receive confirmation of your offer of place, you can begin to prepare your visa application.

This short video will guide you through preparing your student visa application to study in Aotearoa New Zealand, and give you some helpful tips to increase the chance of a successful outcome.

We will focus on how to apply for the most common student visa - the Fee-Paying Student Visa.

The best place to start is to look at the first-time visa information sheet to get a good understanding of what’s needed. This information sheet is for people who have not had an international student visa approved in the past. It tells you what we need to assess your application as quickly as possible.

This information sheet helps you submit a student visa application with the information and evidence the immigration officer needs to assess your application. Following the advice in this document will help your application to be processed faster. It does not guarantee an approval.

In some cases, an Immigration Officer may request information from you as part of their assessment that is not detailed in this sheet. They are not obliged to do this. Make sure you submit all the information required to assess your international student visa application.

Once you’ve completed these steps, you are now ready to start your visa application!

Your application is now complete.

Application processing takes 8-10 weeks on average but applying four months in advance will mean any unforeseen delays will not impact your study.

We recommend you apply at least 3 months before you plan on travelling to New Zealand, to allow time for visa processing. If you apply later, you could miss out.

Booking your flights to Aotearoa New Zealand should be the very last step, so please wait until after your visa is approved to book.

If you need help along the way, please visit the Immigration New Zealand website. Interpreters in your language are available should you need one.

All the best with your application. We look forward to welcoming you to Aotearoa New Zealand!