World-Class Education in Aotearoa

The Fee Paying Student Visa costs from NZD $850, and Immigration New Zealand states that 80% of applications are decided within 5 weeks. Additional costs may apply for medical examinations, and for police certificates and translations.

You need tuition paid for one course or one year of study (whichever is shorter), plus NZD $20,000 for each year of study for living costs (NZD $1,667 per month if study is shorter than a year). Funds can be shown through bank statements, education loans, scholarships or an acceptable sponsor.

Yes. Since 3 November 2025 new student visas allow up to 25 hours a week during term, and full-time work in scheduled holidays depending on your visa conditions. The adult minimum wage is NZD $23.95 per hour from 1 April 2026.

A Post-Study Work Visa lasts up to 3 years. Master's and doctoral graduates who studied full-time in NZ for at least 30 weeks get 3 years. For Level 8 or lower the visa matches your study time. The old Auckland and regional split no longer applies. Non-degree Level 7 or lower qualifications qualify only if on INZ's eligible list. From 16 November 2026, a Level 7 graduate diploma qualifies only with a bachelor's, and a 6-month Short-Term Graduate Work Visa is available for some graduates who do not qualify.

Your education provider sets the English requirement for your course, and it varies by programme. Immigration New Zealand does not make a test score mandatory for the student visa, although results can support your genuine intention to study. A higher standard applies later for skilled residence: IELTS 6.5, PTE Academic 58 or TOEFL iBT 79 overall.

Only in some cases. Your partner can apply for a work visa if you study at Level 9 or 10, or at Level 7 or 8 in a qualification specified for a Green List role or on INZ's Post-Study Work Visa eligible list. Otherwise a partner can only apply for a visitor visa. Partners cannot be included in your student visa application.

After completing your studies, apply for a Post-Study Work Visa (or the Short-Term Graduate Work Visa from 16 November 2026 if you do not qualify) and find a skilled job with an accredited employer. You can then apply through the Skilled Migrant Category or a Green List visa if your job and qualifications meet the rules.

Yes, health and travel insurance is mandatory for the entire duration of your student visa. Costs range from NZD $600-1,000 per year depending on coverage.

Main intakes are February and July each year. Secondary intakes happen in May, September, and November. Most universities and colleges follow this schedule for program start dates.

There is no maximum age for a New Zealand student visa. You need to meet your provider's academic requirements and show a genuine intention to study. Skilled Migrant Category residence later requires you to be 55 or younger.

Immigration New Zealand needs evidence that you have paid tuition for one course or one year, whichever is shorter. If you apply from outside NZ, you can wait to pay until INZ approves your application in principle, but processing takes longer. Payment terms vary by provider, so confirm the schedule with your chosen institution.

A partner work visa is available only if you study at Level 9 or 10, or at Level 7 or 8 in a qualification specified for a Green List role or on INZ's Post-Study Work Visa eligible list. The visa lets your partner do any work, subject to conditions, and normally lasts as long as your student visa. You must show NZD $4,200 for the stay. Other students' partners cannot get a work visa.

The Green List names occupations New Zealand needs. Tier 1 roles can apply for a Straight to Residence Visa, and Tier 2 roles can apply for a Work to Residence Visa after 24 months of qualifying work. There is no points test, but each role has its own qualification or registration, pay and experience rules, and you need an accredited employer.

Total = tuition paid for one course or one year (whichever is shorter) + NZD 20,000 for each year of the visa for living costs. For example, a 3-year Bachelor's costing NZD 25,000 a year, with a visa for the first year, needs 25,000 + 20,000 = NZD 45,000. INZ does not require the money for later years upfront, but a credible plan helps.

Residence is not decided in a fixed number of weeks. Skilled Migrant Category applications go through an expression of interest, an invitation to apply and then a visa application, and processing times change, so check Immigration New Zealand's processing-time tool. INZ states that 80% of Straight to Residence applications are decided within 4 months.