How to Get a New Zealand Student Visa in 10 Steps
Complete New Zealand student visa guide covering Offer of Place, financial evidence of NZD $20,000 per year, medical examination requirements, Immigration NZ online application through RealMe, police certificates, and the application timeline for 2026.
How to get a New Zealand Student Visa in 2026 — The process involves 10 steps: (1) Choose your course and an ENZ-approved institution (tuition typically NZD $22,000-$45,000 per year), (2) Meet English language requirements with IELTS 6.0 overall (no band below 5.5) or equivalent PTE/TOEFL, (3) Apply and receive a formal Offer of Place letter, (4) Pay tuition fees for the first year, (5) Prepare financial evidence showing NZD $20,000 per year for living costs plus return travel funds, (6) Arrange comprehensive medical and travel insurance, (7) Complete a medical exam and chest X-ray with an INZ-approved panel physician if studying 12+ months, (8) Create a RealMe account and submit the online visa application through Immigration New Zealand (fee NZD $375-430), (9) Provide biometrics at a VFS Global centre and submit police certificates from countries lived in for 12+ months, and (10) Receive your visa decision (30-60 day processing) and eVisa linked to your passport. After graduation, you can apply for a Post-Study Work Visa valid for 1-3 years depending on your qualification.
10 Steps to a New Zealand Student Visa
Follow these steps in order. Each step builds on the previous one, and skipping ahead can result in application delays or refusal.
Choose Your Course and Institution on the QRO/ENZ List
Select a full-time course at a New Zealand institution that is quality-assured under the Qualifications and Recognition Outcomes (QRO) framework or listed on Education New Zealand (ENZ). The course must be in an approved exchange scheme or an approved programme. Consider tuition fees (typically NZD $22,000-$45,000 per year) and post-study work rights eligibility.
Meet English Language Requirements
Take an approved English language test accepted by Immigration New Zealand. Most NZ universities require IELTS 6.0 overall (no band below 5.5), PTE Academic 50, or TOEFL iBT 80. Some institutions require IELTS 6.5 for postgraduate programmes. Check specific requirements with your chosen institution as they vary by programme level.
Apply to Your Institution and Receive Offer of Place
Submit your application directly to the institution. Provide academic transcripts, English test scores, reference letters, and a Statement of Purpose. Upon acceptance, you will receive a formal Offer of Place letter, which must include the course start and end dates, tuition fees, and confirmation that the institution is ENZ-approved. This document is mandatory for your visa application.
Pay Your Tuition Fees
Pay the required tuition fees (typically NZD $22,000-$45,000 per year depending on the programme). Immigration New Zealand requires proof of full tuition payment or a minimum payment receipt for the first year. Some institutions offer a phased payment plan, but a substantial deposit is generally needed for the visa application.
Prepare Financial Evidence
Show you have sufficient funds to cover your living costs while studying in New Zealand. According to Immigration New Zealand (INZ) requirements, you need a minimum of NZD $20,000 per year for living expenses (or NZD $417 per week for shorter courses). Additionally, you need evidence of funds for return travel (at least NZD $2,000-3,000). Funds must be in a recognised bank account or student loan scheme. Acceptable evidence includes bank statements, education loan sanction letters, and scholarship award letters.
Arrange Health Insurance
Arrange comprehensive medical and travel insurance for your entire stay in New Zealand. While international students are not eligible for publicly funded healthcare (except in emergencies), most institutions require mandatory health insurance as a condition of enrolment. Some universities offer student health insurance plans specifically designed for international students.
Complete Medical Exam (If Required)
If you plan to study in New Zealand for more than 12 months, you must complete a full medical examination and chest X-ray by an INZ-approved panel physician. The medical certificate (INZ 1007) is valid for 36 months. Applicants from countries with high TB incidence must also provide a chest X-ray certificate (INZ 1096) regardless of study duration.
Create Immigration NZ Account and Submit Online Visa Application
Create a RealMe account and log in to the Immigration New Zealand (INZ) online portal. Complete the Student Visa application form (INZ 1012 or online equivalent). Upload your Offer of Place, financial evidence, English test certificate, medical certificate (if required), and passport. The visa application fee is approximately NZD $375-430 depending on your country of application.
Provide Biometrics and Police Certificates
Attend a biometrics appointment at an INZ-approved visa application centre (VFS Global or TLScontact) to provide your photograph and fingerprints. Additionally, provide police certificates from your home country and any country where you have lived for 12+ months in the last 10 years. Police certificates must be less than 6 months old at the time of application.
Receive Your Visa Decision and Prepare for Travel
Standard New Zealand student visa processing takes 30-60 days for most applications. Priority processing may reduce this to 10-15 working days in some cases. Once approved, you will receive an eVisa linked to your passport valid for the duration of your course (plus 1 month). On arrival in New Zealand, you must present your passport, visa approval letter, and Offer of Place to border control. You must also attend a student orientation at your institution and maintain full-time attendance as a condition of your visa.
Key Resources for New Zealand Student Visa
Use these free tools and guides to prepare your application.
IELTS to CLB Converter
Convert your IELTS scores to Canadian Language Benchmark levels.
Proof of Funds Calculator
Calculate your settlement funds requirement based on family size.
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PNP Guide
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IT Professionals Pathway
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Official Resources
Refer to official government sources for the most current fee and policy information.
New Zealand Student Visa FAQs
Common questions about the New Zealand student visa application process.
Q. What is an Offer of Place and why do I need it?
An Offer of Place is a formal letter from your New Zealand institution confirming your acceptance into a full-time course. It is a mandatory requirement for your student visa and must include course details, tuition fees, and the institution's ENZ approval status.
Q. How much money do I need for a New Zealand student visa?
You need a minimum of NZD $20,000 per year for living expenses plus full tuition fees for the first year (typically NZD $22,000-$45,000). You also need evidence of NZD $2,000-3,000 for return travel.
Q. What IELTS score do I need for a New Zealand student visa?
Most New Zealand universities require IELTS 6.0 overall (no band below 5.5) for undergraduate programmes and IELTS 6.5 (no band below 6.0) for postgraduate programmes. Equivalent PTE Academic and TOEFL iBT scores are also accepted.
Q. How long does a New Zealand student visa take to process?
Standard processing takes 30-60 days. Priority processing may take 10-15 working days if available. Apply at least 3 months before your course start date.
Q. Do I need a medical exam for a New Zealand student visa?
Yes, if your study duration is 12 months or more, you must complete a full medical exam and chest X-ray by an INZ-approved panel physician. Applicants from high-TB countries need a chest X-ray regardless of study duration.
Q. Can I work while studying on a New Zealand student visa?
Yes. Full-time students on a course of 2+ years can work up to 20 hours per week during term time and full-time during holidays. Students on one-year postgraduate programmes can also work full-time during holidays.
Q. What is the post-study work visa in New Zealand?
After graduation, you can apply for a Post-Study Work Visa (open work visa) valid for 1-3 years depending on your qualification level and study duration. This allows you to work for any employer in any role.
Q. Can I bring my family on a New Zealand student visa?
If you are studying a Level 7 or higher qualification, your spouse/partner can apply for an open work visa. Dependent children can study for free as domestic students if you hold a post-study work visa or resident visa.
Q. What are the visa conditions after arriving in New Zealand?
You must maintain full-time attendance (at least 20 hours per week for your course), notify INZ of any address changes, maintain valid health insurance, and not work beyond the permitted hours. Breaching these conditions can result in visa cancellation.
Q. What happens if my visa application is declined?
If your New Zealand student visa is declined, you will receive a letter explaining the reasons. You can request reconsideration within 14 days if you can provide additional information addressing the specific grounds for refusal. Alternatively, you can submit a new application with corrected documentation.
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