New Zealand Immigration Service Information (as of 03-2009)
Who needs a student visa?
Student Visa Requirements
To receive a New Zealand Student Visa or Student Permit so you can study in New Zealand you must first meet New Zealand Immigration requirements for international students. The course or courses you intend to undertake must also meet New Zealand Immigration requirements.
An "Offer of a Place" From the School
To get a Student Visa or Permit, you need to have an "Offer of Place" from a New Zealand education provider. The offer must include the following:
- the name of the course and the minimum time required for completing the course, and
- proof that the course and course provider meet New Zealand's requirements for international students, and
- the amount of the fee for the complete course , or if the course is longer than one year, the annual fee, and
- whether you have to pay course fees and whether the course fees are New Zealand dollars or foreign fees, and
- whether you are studying full-time (20 hours a week or more) or part-time (less than 20 hours a week or enrolment in fewer than three papers, or equivalent, per semester).
The course you are wanting a New Zealand Visa or Permit for must be approved by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority* (NZQA).
* The New Zealand Qualifications Authority is the government agency responsible for quality assurance of qualifications. We may ask NZQA to assess your international qualification if it does not align with those listed on our List of Recognised Qualifications. NZQA’s check focuses on the qualification and the institution that has awarded it.
Studying at a Primary School (Elementary School) and High School (Secondary School) Schools in New Zealand
There are two main types of Primary Schools (Elementary Schools) and High Schools (Secondary Schools in New Zealand. Many of these schools have openings for international students. The main difference between the two types types of schools is the way in which they are funded, which affects their ability to offer courses to international students.
- State (Government) or integrated primary schools (elementary schools) and high schools (secondary schools) are funded by the New Zealand government. Schools that are accredited by the New Zealand Ministry of Education (MOE) can offer places to full-fee paying international students after all New Zealand domestic and NZAID scholarship students are placed.
- Private primary schools (elementary schools) and high schools (secondary schools) are schools funded mainly through student fees. Provided these schools are accredited with the New Zealand Ministry of Education, these schools can offer places equally to international students and New Zealand students.
Tertiary Education Providers in New Zealand
Tertiary education providers can offer courses to international students if they meet certain conditions:
- Private Training Establishments (PTEs) can only offer international students approved courses that are longer than three months and registered with the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA). The institution must be accredited to offer a course. The enrolment of an international student must not prevent a New Zealand student or an NZAID student from gaining a place at the same institution.
Guardians
You may have to be accompanied by a guardian (your parent or legal guardian), who will come to New Zealand with you. You need a guardian if you are enrolled in years one (1) to eight (8) of a school, or a student aged thirteen (13) or under and enrolled in a Private Training Establishment (PTE).
Legal Guardian Definition: Under student policy, a legal guardian is the person with the legal right and responsibility to provide for the care (including education and health) of an international student. This person usually provides for the care of the student in the student’s home country. This definition includes the student’s biological or adoptive parents, testamentary guardian, or court-appointed guardian.
Health and Character
You have to meet New Zealand Immigration's "health" and "character" requirements and to prove to the New Zealand Immigration Service that your intent is genuine.
Some people who have committed serious crimes will not be allowed into New Zealand at all (Section 7(1) of the New Zealand Immigration Act).
Evidence of Funds to Support your Stay while you Study in New Zealand
To gain a New Zealand Student Visa or Permit New Zealand Immigration will want to see that you are able to meet your living costs during your stay.
Evidence of funds to support your stay while you study in New Zealand may include:
- enough money held in New Zealand by you, or on your behalf,
- an undertaking by another person to cover your accommodation and living costs (New Zealand Immigration will want to see this before you leave for New Zealand),
- an undertaking by a New Zealand sponsor to cover your accommodation and living costs, or
- financial assistance available to you under aid programmes operated by a government agency.
Courses Less Than Nine (9) Months
If the course you intend to study lasts less than nine (9) months, you'll need to show New Zealand Immigration that you have access to:
- New Zealand $1,000.00 (one-thousand dollars) for each month of your stay,
- New Zealand $400.00 (four-hundred dollars) for each month, if your accommodation is already paid for (you will need to show New Zealand immigration you have paid for the accommodation with an official receipt), or
- a letter from your education provider saying that your accommodation and other living costs are included in the package you have already paid for.
Courses More Than Nine (9) months
If the course you intend to study lasts for more than nine (9) months, you will need to show New Zealand Immigration that you have access to:
- NZ$10,000.00 per year to cover your costs during your stay in New Zealand, or
- if you are a citizen of Samoa or Tonga, a written guarantee from a relative who is a New Zealand citizen or resident that they will cover your living costs.
Evidence of funds may be in the form of cash, travelers' cheques, bank drafts, or a recognised credit card with enough credit.
Proof That You Plan To Leave
New Zealand Immigration need to be sure that you will leave New Zealand when you have finished your course of study, they will need evidence of how you will leave New Zealand. For example, New Zealand Immigration may want to see travel tickets out of New Zealand to a country you are allowed to enter, or evidence of enough money held in New Zealand, additional to the funds you will need for your living expenses.
Passport
You must have a passport that is valid for at least three (3) months past the end of your intended stay.
Permit Requirements
Once you have a New Zealand Immigration authorised Student Permit, you must meet certain conditions during your stay:
- You must attend the place of study noted in your Student Permit. However, you can apply to the New Zealand Immigration Service (NZIS) to change your course or institution.
- If you have to be accompanied by a guardian, you must live with that person.
- You must be able to show that you are passing your course.
- You may only undertake work allowed by your Student Permit.
- you must obey all New Zealand laws.
- You must only stay in New Zealand for the time allowed by your Student Permit.
If you break any of these conditions, New Zealand immigration is authorised to revoke your permit which may result in you having to leave New Zealand.
There is no Visa required for some students for some cases (shorter courses in most cases, under 3 months in duration).