New Zealand Student Visa Regulations

There are two categories of student Visas;

• Visitor Visa and
• Permit Visa.

To enrol in a short-term (approximate of three months) single course, a three month Visitor Visa is required. If you want to study in more than one course, which may exceed the three months, you can apply for a student permit while you are in New Zealand. Most programmes need student permits.

Visa Requirements

• A recent passport-size photograph
• Payment of a non-refundable application fee
• An 'Offer of Place' from an educational institution which states that you have been accepted by the institution, the name of the course, the minimum time required to complete the course, and whether a course fee must be paid or the student is exempt from the fee (e.g. scholarship students). This 'Offer of Place' will be sent to you by the New Zealand institution that confirms your enrolment.
• Evidence of payment of the fee or exemption from the fee (Not necessary if your application is being approved in principle).
• A written guarantee from a New Zealand education institution or person that suitable accommodation is available to you in New Zealand.
• Evidence of sufficient funds to live on while you are studying.
• A return air ticket to your country, or evidence of sufficient funds to buy one.
• Travel and medical insurance.
• For courses longer than 24 months, you'll also have to provide medical and x-ray certificates that are less than three months old (for further information please contact us). If you are over the age of 17, a recent police record is required.

Working While Studying

If you are going to study full-time and for a period of greater than twelve months you may be eligible for a part-time working permit. You can only undertake employment if you need to:

• Meet a course requirement for practical work experience. We may change the conditions of your Student Permit to allow you to work, or instead, grant you a Work Permit with the conditions varied to allow study.

or

• Support your full-time, long-term course of tertiary study. You can apply for a change to your Student Permit conditions to allow you to work up to 15 hours per week during term time.

or

• Support yourself over the Christmas-New Year holidays. You can apply for a change in your Student Permit to allow you to work during the Christmas-New Year holidays only if:
• You are studying full time and
• Your course is longer than 12 month