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Student Visa Requirements for New Zealand

Student visa for New Zealand student visa depends on the courses they wish to take and the length of their stay in the country. Anyone planning to visit New Zealand must have a passport and the appropriate visa. Before you begin your application for a student visa to New Zealand, you must plan your course of study, determine how you will support yourself while in New Zealand, and choose which papers you must provide with your application. 

Let us assist you while you prepare to study in New Zealand. This page provides detailed information regarding New Zealand student visas and their requirements. 

Student visa and permit for international student  

Students who plan to study in New Zealand for a period longer than three months must apply for a Student Visa for New Zealand. With the aid of a student visa, candidates can pursue full-time studies in New Zealand for a certain amount of time. Consult the New Zealand International Student Guide. You might need to fulfill the requirements for a student visa for New Zealand, such as (but not limited to) the following: 

  • The title of the course you are permitted to take 
  • The supplier of education is named 
  • The provider's location in New Zealand 
  • The necessity to have appropriate insurance 

Studying in New Zealand is an excellent option for international students because the country receives nearly 50,000 international students each year out of 150,000 applications. Since only a small number of international students are accepted, they also apply for a study visa. Students who get an offer letter and carry it can submit a student visa application. Depending on the volume of applications submitted for a specific academic session, the processing period for visa applications ranges from 8 to 10 weeks or longer. 

Types of VISA in New Zealand

The ETA, Visitor Visa for New Zealand, Student Visa for New Zealand, Work Visa for New Zealand, and Resident Visa for New Zealand are the five most frequent visa classifications in New Zealand. 

More information about each New Zealand visa category is provided below: 

  • ETA - With an official visa waiver known as an ETA, you are granted multiple entries into New Zealand. If that is the case, you won't need to schedule a time to visit the consular office. You may apply for an ETA online. Although it's not quite a visa, it allows you entrance into New Zealand for up to three months. More details on it are provided below. 
  • Visitor Visa for New Zealand - The most popular visa requested is the New Zealand visitor visa. But only some require one. Only applicants from non-visa waiver countries and visitors from visa waiver countries who intend to remain in New Zealand for longer than the period their visas are waived are required. 
  • Student Visa for New Zealand - With this visa, you can go to New Zealand to pursue your studies and remain there only to complete your program. You have a right to work, but there are restrictions on how many hours you may put in. 
  • Work Visa for New Zealand - You must apply for a work visa if you want to work in New Zealand. However, in most circumstances, you need a work offer for your application to be granted. 
  • Resident Visa for New Zealand - If you are granted a New Zealand Resident Visa, you are free to conduct yourself as a local would. You have the option of working or not. New Zealand allows unlimited stays.  

There are several types of New Zealand visas, as you can see. You must apply for the one that best fits your situation. You may apply for an ETA online with the aid of iVisa, but you'll need to conduct more investigation for the other requirements. 

How to apply Student VISA to New Zealand? 

You should be aware that the internet option is favored for filing applications for a student visa for New Zealand. In comparison to posting, the online technique is not only quicker but also less expensive. To complete the application online, you must scan and prepare your primary and supporting documents in PDF format. Make sure you review and include a photo of yourself according to the embassy's needed picture requirements.  

Different processes and requirements for student visas are discussed ahead. 

Documents required For Student Visa 

The following paperwork is required of applicants seeking a student visa for New Zealand as part of the visa application process: 

  • A passport is valid for at least three months beyond your stay in New Zealand. 
  • Filled-out student visa application (INZ 1012) 
  • Receipt of the paid application fee  
  • An invitation to stay - You must have a placement offer from a university or institute in New Zealand. Typically, the forms are distributed following the payment of the tuition. 
  • Letter from your current school attesting to your enrollment in studies abroad 
  • Receipt for health insurance 
  • You can be asked to provide Health and Character certifications as evidence of your sincere desire to remain in New Zealand. 
  • Two passport-size photos 
  • Note: Additional paperwork could be needed. The interviewer may ask for further documents during the in-person discussion. These might be proof of academic or financial standing papers.  
  • Transcripts, degrees, certificates, and diplomas from the institutions you attended 
  • Scores from examinations needed by your college, such as the TOEFL, GRE, or GMAT 
  • How do you plan to cover your living, educational, and travel expenses? 

Process and Eligibility 

There are four distinct methods to apply for a student visa for New Zealand: online, offline, through an immigration counselor, or at a visa center.  

If a submitted application is online, it could be tracked using RealMe or NZeTA; if submitted offline, it could be tracked through immigration advisers; and if offered through a visa center, it could be followed by VAC. International students are recommended to apply for the visa as soon as they know they will get a spot to get admitted to a New Zealand university. 

To travel to New Zealand with a student visa, an international student must fulfill the following criteria: 

  • Applicant must have confirmed their offer letter for a course registered under the Ministry of Education of New Zealand or NZQA. 
  • The applicants must show proof of NRS 13,00,000 for a year to stay in New Zealand for study. 
  • An applicant must maintain NZD 1250 per month to survive in New Zealand. 
  • A ticket to somewhere other than New Zealand to demonstrate that the applicant has sufficient funds to study and stay in New Zealand.

Application processing time 

The usual application processing period for a student visa in New Zealand is between 3 and 4 months. However, this might vary if specific papers need to be included or the visa office needs more information about the applicant or their application.  

Your visa processing time will change depending on several variables. However, according to information from the New Zealand government: 

  • Within 13 days, 50% of applications are processed. 
  • Within 24 days, 75% of applications are processed. 
  • Within 46 days, 90% of applications are processed. 

Therefore, you should anticipate receiving your visa in two to seven weeks. 

Visa fees 

Cost of a New Zealand visa: Students who submit their application for a student visa for New Zealand online must pay a visa cost of NZD 430 plus around USD 35 in receiving center fees. Candidates who submit their requests for student visas by mail must pay USD 249 and USD 47 in receiving center costs (Nepal). Candidates should know that the processing fees may vary based on the Visa Centre; thus, candidates must check the official website for the current amount before applying. 

Health requirements 

A health requirement for a student visa for New Zealand is a chest X-ray: 

  • You must see a panel physician, a licensed physician, or a radiologist. 
  • Your chest X-ray must be less than three months old when you apply. The majority of the time, INZ receives your X-ray findings electronically. 
  • If you are pregnant, under 11, or have already given this information to INZ within the last three years, you are excused from providing a chest X-ray. 
  • If you want medical attention, you must visit an authorized physician, often a panel physician. 
  • Your medical certifications must be at most three months at the time of application. The certificates are typically delivered electronically to INZ. 
  • Your visa application may be denied if you have health issues and your medical care expense is likely too high. Check with Immigration New Zealand (INZ) before submitting your application. 
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