Disclaimer: The guidance we have provided you through this article is true as on 27-March-2021. Changes with respect to rules, regulations, and law surrounding studying in New Zealand may happen anytime and to keep yourself updated on this matter, it is better you visit the official or the New Zealand government website: https://www.govt.nz/ and the New Zealand Immigration Department’s website: https://www.immigration.govt.nz/.
About New Zealand
When you look at it geographically, New Zealand may appear as a far-flung country cut off from the rest of the countries, but for international students, it is a welcoming, beautiful, and safe country that offers excellent educational facilities and opportunities. New Zealand is cheaper than most other developed countries of the world and enjoys beautiful climatic conditions for the major part of the year. The 8 popular educational institutes of New Zealand that are spread across its North and South Islands offer core degrees in various disciplines, including science, business, and the arts.
New Zealand weather can be unpredictable and can vary a lot depending on where you stay in the country. For example, during summer, the far north experiences a subtropical weather, whereas in the South Island, like in the alpine areas, the temperature can fall up to -10 degrees Celsius. The best part for students studying in New Zealand is that they are closer to the coast no matter where their location is and this means they can experience mild temperatures for the most part of the year. As one travels southwards, the average temperature starts to fall. While July is the coldest month of the year in New Zealand, the warmest months are January and February.
New Zealand has a stunning natural environment and a unique culture. There are endless possibilities for sports and adventures. Foreign students wishing to study in New Zealand can experience high-quality life that is peaceful and safe at the same time. Studying in New Zealand at one of its top-most universities provides an opportunity for students to interact with some of the brightest minds in the education sector. When you study in New Zealand, you can also enjoy its multi-cultural environment and incredible outdoor lifestyle amid bubbling volcanoes, golden beaches, and snow-capped mountains.
List of Universities in New Zealand
- University of Auckland
- AUT University
- Victoria University of Wellington
- University of Otago
- Massey University
- University of Canterbury
- University of Waikato
- Eastern Institute of Technology
- Auckland Institute of Studies
- Wellington Institute of Technology
- Unitec Institute of Technology
- Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology
- Lincoln University – New Zealand
- Manukau Institute of Technology
- Ara Institute of Canterbury
- Otago Polytechnic
- Open Polytechnic of New Zealand
- Southern Institute of Technology
- Waikato Institute of Technology
- Whitireia New Zealand
- Aspire2 International
- Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology
- Vision College
- UUNZ Institute of Business
- Cornell Institute of Business and Technology
- NorthTec
- Western Institute of Technology at Taranaki
- Media Design School
- Le Cordon Bleu
- Universal College of Learning
- SAE Institute
- Ardmore Flying School
- AGI Education
- Pacific International Hotel Management School
- Whitecliffe College of Arts & Design
- Queenstown Resort College
- Air New Zealand Academy of Learning
- New Zealand Tertiary College
- International Academy of New Zealand
- New Zealand Management Academies
- Academy New Zealand
- Tai Poutini Polytechnic
- New Zealand School of Tourism
- Animation College
- Newton College of Business and Technology
- Royal Business College
- Yoobee School of Design
- New Zealand School of Education
- ATMC New Zealand
- ICL Graduate Business School
- North Shore International Academy
- Edenz Colleges
- Abacus Institute of Studies
- Queens Academic Group
- Avonmore Tertiary Institute
- KAAT Institute of New Zealand
- New Zealand Career College
- Regent International Education Group
- International Travel College of New Zealand
- New Zealand Institute of Technical Training
- UC International College
- Crown Institute of Studies
- New Zealand College of Business
- New Zealand Institute of Studies
- Yoobee Colleges – Design and Arts College of New Zealand
- Information Technology Training Institute
- International College of New Zealand
- Lifeway College
- Yoobee College – South Seas Film School
- Linguis International Institute
- Techtorium Computer Training Institute
Benefits of studying in New Zealand
- Internationally-renowned education system
- Unbeatable lifestyle
- Excellent places to live and study
- Friendly and welcoming people
- Low cost of living
- Availability of financial help and support for students
- Most places in New Zealand are safe and secure for international students
- Diverse cultural environment
- Global employment prospects
- Be a part of several unique experiences New Zealand have on offer
- Discover new way of learning
- Post-Study work permit
With New Zealand fast emerging as a popular study abroad option for students, the competition for places in New Zealand universities is high. Taking guidance and help from an experienced education consultant becomes the need of the hour. To improve your chances of securing a seat in a top-most university of New Zealand, get in touch with Edument. Our international admissions expert and qualified career consultant will work closely with you in choosing the right education centre and course so that you can make the most of the opportunity before you. Such an approach will also help you progress in your career easily.
To study in New Zealand, students need to apply directly to the concerned institute. Along with the application, students also need to provide a strong personal statement. To apply successfully to a reputed New Zealand university, students can consider taking guidance from an experienced education consultant. Average tuition fees in New Zealand colleges is about NZ $40,000 a year, while the living expenses in the country comes to about NZ $10,000 a year. However, the actual rates may vary from one education institute to another.
Types of Visas for Students
New Zealand has a range of visas that allow students to go to schools, take a course or do other training.
If you want to study a full-time course in New Zealand that’s longer than three months in total duration, you’ll need a student visa. Depending on your visa conditions, students are able to work up to 20 hours a week during the term and full-time over the holidays.
If you plan to study more than one course in New Zealand, the pathway student visa may be the only visa you need. This visa allows you to study up to three consecutive courses for up to five years with one or more qualifying education providers. For example, you could take an English language course, followed by foundation studies, then a degree programme – all on the one visa.
If you want to stay in New Zealand to get some practical work experience after you’ve completed your qualification, you may be able to apply for a post-study work visa. A post-study work visa will allow you to work for up to three years in New Zealand after you graduate, depending on what you study and where you study.
Student Visa Requirements
It may take up to eight weeks to process most visitor, student, and work visas. However, it could also take longer if more information is needed. As a guide, you’ll usually need to provide the following documents with your student visa application:
- An offer of place from an approved education provider
- Evidence that you have enough money to pay your tuition fees
- Your passport and acceptable passport-style photo(s)
- Proof of funds – $15,000 per year, to cover your living expenses
- A copy of your air ticket home, or proof that you have enough money to buy one
- An accommodation guarantee, if you’re under 18
- Your visa application fee
- You may also be asked to provide a medical certificate and chest x-ray, and a police certificate
Student Visa Overview
International students can apply for a visa to study full-time in New Zealand. You’ll need to pay the full cost of your courses and enrol with an approved education provider. While you’re here, you can enjoy New Zealand’s high-quality teaching standards and gain internationally recognized qualifications.
Length of Stay: Up to 4 years 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.
- If you want to bring your partner or children with you, they can apply for visas based on their relationship with you.
- Your Student Visa is normally for the same length of time as the study you’ve paid for.
- You can apply for this visa if you’re a distance learning or correspondence student who is studying outside New Zealand and you need to visit New Zealand for more than 3 months to attend your education provider, e.g. to do practical study or sit exams.
Conditions:
Entry Permission –
There are some conditions you need to meet once you have your visa.
You must apply for entry permission when you arrive in New Zealand. You can do this by completing an arrival card, which you are given on the way to New Zealand.
You can be refused entry permission if:- You do not meet New Zealand government’s character requirements
- Your circumstances have changed since you were granted a visa
- You refuse to let the New Zealand authorities take your photo or provide them with your fingerprints or an iris scan, if asked for them
- You are unable to provide evidence of any onward travel or funds required by the conditions of your visa.
Travel –
If you want to travel in and out of New Zealand, you must have valid multiple entry level conditions to return to New Zealand. If you’re applying from inside New Zealand, the authorities will normally give you multiple entry level conditions when they grant you this visa. If you don’t have multiple entry travel conditions and you leave New Zealand, you visa will expire. Your travel conditions will be recorded on your visa label or in your visa letter.Onward travel –
During the length of your visa, you must have a travel ticket or funds available to buy a ticket to a country you can enter. The funds can be in the form of any of the following:
- Sufficient funds held in New Zealand to purchase a travel ticket
- An acceptable form of financial undertaking by your guarantor
- Current sponsorship by an acceptable sponsor
If your visa doesn’t record that you’ve sponsored or state that a return/onward ticket isn’t required, you may be asked for evidence of your travel arrangements when you check in or arrive in New Zealand.
Funds or Sponsorship:
You must have enough money held in New Zealand to support yourself for the length of your visa.
If you’re sponsored, your sponsor must:- Ensure your needs for maintenance are met while you’re in New Zealand
- Pay any costs if you’re asked to leave New Zealand.
If you have a guarantor, your guarantor must ensure your need for maintenance is met while you’re in New Zealand.
If your visa label or letter doesn’t say ‘Financial evidence not required’ or ‘the holder of this visa is sponsored’, the New Zealand authorities may ask for evidence of funds when you arrive in New Zealand.
Medical and Travel Insurance:
You must maintain your medical and travel insurance policy while you’re studying in New Zealand, from the time you enrol until your visa expires.
PhD students, however, don’t need to have insurance.
Work:
You may be allowed to work part-time for up to 20 hours a week and full-time during all scheduled holidays and/or during the Christmas and New Year holiday period.
Parent or Legal Guardian:
If you’re required to be accompanied, your parent or legal guardian must live with you while you’re studying and they can’t leave New Zealand without you.
Attendance and Progress:
You must study full-time and attend your course at the approved education provider noted on your visa, unless you have a reasonable excuse for absences.
You must make satisfactory progress on your course.
Visa expiry:
You must leave New Zealand before your visa expires.
Partner of a Student Work Visa
This visa allows partners of Student visa holders, who are in New Zealand studying towards a Level 7 or 8 qualifications on New Zealand’s Long Term Skill Shortage List, or a Level 9 or 10 qualifications, to work in New Zealand.
Length of Stay: For the same time as your partner’s student visa.
You can –
- Join your partner
- Work in New Zealand
- Study for up to 3 months
Things to note –
- You don’t need to have a New Zealand job offer to apply
- You can’t include dependent children in your visa application, but they can apply for visa based on their relationship with you.
Child of a Student Visitor Visa
Your dependent children can join you while you study in New Zealand. As visitors, they can enjoy New Zealand’s scenery, adventure, culture, and friendly people.
Length of Stay: For the same time as your student visa.
You can –
- Have your children join you in New Zealand
- Send your children to school in New Zealand for up to 3 months/li>
- Allow your children to explore New Zealand as visitors
Things to note –
- You can apply for visas for your children at the same time you apply for your student visa. They’ll only be granted visas after New Zealand government approves your own application.
- If you want your children to study for more than 3 months, they’ll need student visas.
Guardian of a Student Visitor Visa
Parents and legal guardians can visit New Zealand to live with and care for their children who are in New Zealand on a student visa.
Length of Stay: Valid for the same time as the student visa of the student you are accompanying.
You can –
- Visit New Zealand to live with and care for your child
Things to note –
- The New Zealand government grants this visa to one parent or legal guardian at any one time, even if you have more than one child studying in New Zealand.
- If you want to bring your partner or other dependent children with you, they’ll need their own visas.
Pathway Student Visa
You can apply to study up to 3 consecutive courses on a single student visa in New Zealand. You’ll need to have a Pathway Student Visa offer of place with a Pathway education provider and be able to pay your tuition fees. While you’re here, you can enjoy New Zealand’s high-quality teaching standards and gain internationally recognized qualifications.
Length of Stay: Up to 5 years
You can –
- Study up to 3 courses, one after the other, on a single student visa
- Work part-time up to 20 hours a week while studying and full-time in the holidays, depending on your course of study.
Things to note –
- You can’t include your partner or dependent children in a student visa application, but they can apply for their own visas based on their relationship to you.
- Pathway Student Visas are long enough to complete your qualification plan.
- You’ll need to meet the pre-requisites for any second and third courses on your study pathway to stay in New Zealand on a Pathway Student Visa.
Evidence Required:
Identity: You must provide proof identity- 1 acceptable photo if you apply online, or 2 photos if use a paper application form.
- Your passport or certificate of identity.
- You may need to have a chest x-ray, a medical examination or both as proof of your good health.
Full fee paying students don’t usually need to provide a medical certificate. You will need to get a chest x-ray if you’re from, or have spent time in a country where Tuberculosis (TB) is common.
Character: You must be of good character.You may need to provide police certificates as proof of your good character.
If you are aged 17 and over, will stay in New Zealand for more than 24 months (this includes any time you have already spent in New Zealand), you must provide police certificates from:
- Your country(s) of citizenship
- Any country(s) you’ve spent more than 5 years in since turning 17.
You do not need to provide police certificates if:
- You have provided them to immigration authorities with an earlier visa application, and they were issued in the previous 36 months, or
- You are under 20 years of age and have held a student visa (or consecutive student visas) on and since the date you turned 17 and are applying for a further student visa.
When we decide if your intentions are genuine (bona fide), we consider all the information:
- You provide to support your application
- We have about your personal circumstances, and
- You provided in any previous applications.
When you apply for a temporary visa or permission to enter New Zealand, the immigration authorities must be satisfied that you have genuine reasons for coming to New Zealand on the visa you apply for, and that while you are here you will obey the law.
They must believe that you:
- Only intend to stay in New Zealand temporarily
- Are coming to New Zealand for a lawful purpose
- Will comply with the conditions of your visa after you arrive
- Will not stay in New Zealand without a valid visa, and
- Are able to leave New Zealand at the end of your stay.
You must provide a letter of support from your Pathway education provider, or joint letter if your study pathway is with more than one provider, that:
- Sets out the courses that will make up your study pathway
- Sets out the start and end dates for each course.
Your Pathway Student Visa offer must include:
- The name of your course and how long the course is for
- Whether your study will be full-time, part-time or as a distance learning or correspondence student
- If your course is for more than one academic year, the dates of all of the course’s scheduled holidays
- If you’re under 18, confirmation that your accommodation complies with the ‘Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students’.
Offers of place must also include your approved education provider’s signed declaration that they’ve assessed and are satisfied that:
- The programme offered is appropriate for your expectations
- You have the English language ability and academic capability to succeed
You must provide evidence that:
- You have paid the tuition fees for your first course of study or your first year of study (whichever is shorter)
- You can pay for the rest of your study pathway.
Evidence can include any one of the following:
- Evidence of savings you can use to pay for your tuition fees
- A letter from your Pathway education provider showing fees are paid or that you don’t have to pay fees
- Evidence that your home country government loan has been applied for, and confirmation from the education provider they expect to receive the fees
- Confirmation from your education provider that your tuition fees will be paid by New Zealand Aid
- Evidence you’ve applied for a home country government loan and confirmation that you’re enrolling in a bachelor degree programme or higher at a Private Training Establishment (PTE)
- Evidence that you’re exempt from paying tuition fees.
Evidence can include::
- Proof that you have NZ $15,000 for your first year of study or NZ $1,250 per month if your study will be shorter than that
- Proof that you’ll have enough money to live on for the remaining time on your study pathway
- Documents that show your living costs have already been paid
- A ‘Sponsorship for Temporary Entry’ form completed by an acceptable sponsor
- A ‘Financial Undertaking for a Student’ form completed by an acceptable guarantor.
Depending on what city you live in while you are in New Zealand, you might need more than NZD $15,000 per year (NZD $1250 per month) to live on while you are studying.
Onward Travel: You must have a ticket to leave New Zealand or be sponsored for the cost of your onward travel.Evidence can include:
- Your travel ticket
- Proof you have enough money to purchase a ticket to leave New Zealand, in addition to your funds for maintenance
- A ‘Sponsorship for Temporary Entry’ form completed by an acceptable sponsor.
- You must declare in your visa application that you agree to arrange and hold insurance.
- Your insurance policy must cover you from the date that you arrive in New Zealand until the day you leave.
- Your insurance policy must cover all of the following:
- Travel (this includes travel to and from New Zealand, within New Zealand, and outside New Zealand if travelling as part of the course)
- Medical care in New Zealand, including diagnosis, prescription, surgery, and hospitalisation
- The transportation out of New Zealand as a result of serious illness or injury, including cover of travel costs incurred by family members assisting the student
- Death (including cover of the travel costs of family members to and from New Zealand, costs of repatriation, and funeral expenses).
You can arrange insurance through your education provider. If you are arranging your own insurance, your education provider can give you more information about what your policy must cover.
Parent or Legal Guardian: If you are 9 or younger you must be accompanied by your parent or legal guardian unless you will live in an NZQA approved school hostel.
If you must be accompanied, you must provide proof that your parent or legal guardian cares for you in your home country and has the legal right to provide care for you.
Evidence your parent or legal guardian cares for you in your home country can include:
- Your parent or guardian’s passport, or residence document showing that you’ve been living with them in your home country
- Documents that show they’ve paid for your education
- Educational records or documents that show they’re responsible for your education
Evidence your parent or legal guardian has the legal right to provide care for you can include:
- Your birth certificate or adoption papers (if they are your parent)
- Court documents (if they are a court-appointed guardian) relevant legal documents if they are a testamentary guardian (i.e. they were named as guardian in your parents’ will, and your parents are deceased).
Your parent or legal guardian must apply separately for the type of visa they need.
If you have to be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian, you must live with that person while you’re studying.
Permission to Work: If you’re aged 16 or 17, or in years 12 or 13 of secondary school, you must have written permission to work.
You must have permission to work up to 20 hours a week and/or full-time in the summer holidays from each of the following:
- Your parents or legal guardian
- Your approved education provider
If you’re 18 or over, you don’t need permission to work over the summer holidays. New Zealand doesn’t grant work rights to children under 16 who have a Student Visa.
Full-time Vacation Work Rights: You must provide information about your holidays and your course.
If you’re allowed to work full-time in the holidays, proof:
- Of the holidays scheduled by your approved education provider, as shown in your offer of place document
- That your course value is 120 credits – this information may be on your fee receipt or invoice, or other correspondence provided by your approved education provider.
Practical Experience (Optional): If you’re required to do practical work experience as part of your course, you must provide evidence that it’s a course requirement.
Evidence can include either of the following:
- A letter from your approved education provider
- A course outline that shows the practical work experience requirement.
Already have a Student Visa: You must be able to show that you’re passing your course and meeting your attendance requirements.
If you already have a Student Visa and you’re applying for another Student Visa, you must provide photocopied evidence of your previous student performance, progress and attendance. This can include:
- Academic transcripts
- A letter from your approved education provider
- Attendance records.
Your time in New Zealand on a student visa must be for study. You may be allowed to work part-time but there are rules you need to know. If you wish to stay in New Zealand and work after you have finished you graduate, you will need the right visa to do so.
Staying to work after study
You can apply for a visa to work in New Zealand for up to 3 years after you finish your study if you have an acceptable qualification.
A Post-study work visa lasts for 1, 2 or 3 years depending on the level of your qualification and where you studied. From the end of November 2018, it replaces 2 previous visas:
- Post Study Work Visa (open)
- Post Study Work Visa (employer-assisted)
What can you do on a Post-study work visa?
A Post-study work visa lets you work for any employer and in almost any job.
Your partner can apply for a work visa and your dependent children can study fee-free as domestic students.
Length of Stay: 1, 2 or 3 years
You can –
- Work for any employer
- Work in almost any job in New Zealand
Things to note –
- You can only apply for this visa once, unless you complete a second higher qualification at bachelor’s degree level or higher.
- You cannot provide commercial sexual services or operate or invest in a business that does.
- If you complete your study outside Auckland before the end of 2021, your work visa can be valid for 2 or 3 years.
- Your partner can apply for a work visa and your dependent children can study fee-free as domestic students.
If you plan to live in New Zealand permanently getting a skilled job in an occupation where there’s a shortage could improve your chances of getting a residence visa.
If you already have Post Study Work Visa (open)
If you already have a Post Study Work Visa (open) or the New Zealand authorities have accepted your application for one before 26 November 2018, before your current visa expires you can apply to extend your visa for up to 2 more years.
If your visa is employer-assisted
If you want to, you can apply for your visa to have the job, location and employer removed. This means you can then work for any employer and do not need to contact us if you change jobs.
How to apply
You must send us:
- Completed form INZ 1243
- The application fee
- Your passport.
If you have a 1-year open visa
Before your visa expires, you can apply for a further Post-study work visa for another 2 years.
How to apply
Apply online or, if you cannot, complete the paper form (INZ 1015) to apply for a work visa.
Staying longer
You can apply for a further Post-study work visa if you complete another qualification in New Zealand that:
- Is at least a Level 7 Bachelor’s degree
- Lasted for a minimum of 30 weeks, and
- Is higher than the qualification you submitted for your previous visa
Acceptable Qualifications for a Post-study work visa
To be acceptable:
- You must have studied in New Zealand, and
- Your qualification must be Level 4 or higher on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework.
Your qualification is Level 7 or higher
Your qualification at level 7 or higher is acceptable if your course lasted 30 weeks or more.You studied at Levels 4 to 6
Your Level 4, 5 or 6 qualification is acceptable if you:
- Completed it after study of 60 weeks or more, or
- Gained 2 qualifications that: a) Each involved 30 week’s study, and
b) The level of your last qualification was higher than the first.
You studied English language
English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) qualifications are not acceptable.
You want to work for longer
You can apply for another Post-study work visa, but only if you complete another qualification in New Zealand that:
- You studied for 30 weeks or more
- Is a bachelor's degree or post-graduate qualification, and
- Is at a higher level than the qualification you used to get your previous visa.
For international students wishing to study in New Zealand, there are plenty of options in funding, loans, and scholarships. However, to get these opportunities, you need to come u with a strong application. Edument closely works with students interested in studying in New Zealand so that they can improve their chances of tasting success. We help you select the right course at the right New Zealand educational institute. To get tailored assistance on how to study overseas, get in touch with Edument today!
Disclaimer:
Contact Edument and figure out how your first steps in seeking admission to a New Zealand university should be. We recommend students to visit the official New Zealand government website: https://www.govt.nz/ and the New Zealand Immigration Department’s website: https://www.immigration.govt.nz/ to get updated details about studying in New Zealand. As the rules and procedures surrounding education in New Zealand keep changing, it is always a great idea to monitor the updated or latest news and take steps accordingly.