In short: To study in New Zealand as an international student you apply for: Fee Paying Student Visa. Paper applications are no longer accepted; apply online, ideally 3 months before travel. From NZD $850; the exact cost depends on citizenship and where you apply from (INZ fee tool). 80% of applications are processed within 8 weeks. Every line on this page was read on an official page, which is linked beside it; the facts were last checked on 6 October 2026.
| Visa or permit | Fee Paying Student Visa |
|---|---|
| Application fee | NZD 850 (immigration.govt.nz) |
| Money to show | NZD 20,000 per year (immigration.govt.nz) |
| Processing time | 80% of applications are processed within 8 weeks. (immigration.govt.nz) |
| Where you apply | Paper applications are no longer accepted; apply online, ideally 3 months before travel. (immigration.govt.nz) |
| Last checked |
Authority: Immigration New Zealand. Official portal: Immigration New Zealand.
Offer of place on a course from an approved education provider.
Source: immigration.govt.nz · checked on
Source: immigration.govt.nz · checked on
Show tuition paid in full for 1 year or 1 programme (whichever is shorter), or qualify for an alternative such as a scholarship.
Source: immigration.govt.nz · checked on
Tertiary students: NZD $20,000 per year, or NZD $1,667 per month if studying under 1 year. Bank statements, a financial undertaking or NZ sponsor accepted.
Source: immigration.govt.nz · checked on
From NZD $850; the exact cost depends on citizenship and where you apply from (INZ fee tool).
Source: immigration.govt.nz · checked on
| Charge | Amount | What the official page says | Source, checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visa fee (government) | NZD 850 | From NZD $850; the exact cost depends on citizenship and where you apply from (INZ fee tool). | immigration.govt.nz, 15 September 2026 |
Paper applications are no longer accepted; apply online, ideally 3 months before travel.
Source: immigration.govt.nz · checked on
You apply online by logging in to your Immigration Online account, or setting one up, then upload your documents and pay the fee.
Immigration Online: apply.immigration.govt.nz
Source: immigration.govt.nz · checked on
The application fee is paid online as part of submitting the application.
Source: immigration.govt.nz · checked on
An interview is not a standard step, but if Immigration New Zealand needs more to decide, it may ask you to attend an interview.
Source: immigration.govt.nz · checked on
You check the status by logging in to your Immigration Online account, where any request for more information also appears.
Official tracking page: apply.immigration.govt.nz
Source: immigration.govt.nz · checked on
For applications decided in the last 4 weeks, university students waited 2.5 weeks on average and most (80%) were done within 5 weeks, counted in working days. The table is updated weekly and differs by provider type.
Source: immigration.govt.nz · checked on
You are emailed when a decision is made. If approved you get an eVisa, with no label in your passport; print the eVisa letter and carry it when you travel.
Source: immigration.govt.nz · checked on
Immigration New Zealand tells you if it needs more information; a letter in your online account explains what is needed and you reply through the account.
Source: immigration.govt.nz · checked on
Steps as read on the official pages; checked on 15 September 2026.
80% of applications are processed within 8 weeks.
Source: immigration.govt.nz · checked on
No biometrics requirement is stated on the pages checked.
Source: immigration.govt.nz · checked on
A visa condition requires insurance for travel and any health care needed; no minimum amount stated.
Source: immigration.govt.nz · checked on
Usually no medical certificate for full fee-paying students; a chest X-ray may be required depending on stay length and TB risk of your country.
Source: immigration.govt.nz · checked on
Needed if aged 17 or older and total time in New Zealand will be 24 months or longer.
Source: immigration.govt.nz · checked on
No set English test for the visa is stated; test results can help show genuine intention to study.
Source: immigration.govt.nz · checked on
Certified English translations are mandatory for medical and police certificates; translating other documents is advised to speed processing.
Source: immigration.govt.nz · checked on
No apostille or legalisation requirement is stated on the pages checked.
Source: immigration.govt.nz · checked on
Eligible full-time students may work up to 25 hours a week while studying and full time in scheduled holidays, depending on course criteria.
Source: immigration.govt.nz · checked on
Partner and children cannot be included in the student's application but may apply for their own visas based on the relationship.
Source: immigration.govt.nz · checked on
Visa allows a stay of up to 4 years, normally matching the paid study period; keep insurance as a condition.
Source: immigration.govt.nz · checked on
ForiForeign prepares your student visa application with you and guides you through each step: the documents, the forms and the order to do them in. You file the application yourself with the authority named above, and that authority decides. ForiForeign is not a visa office or an agent of New Zealand, and no one can promise a visa. Rules, fees and dates change: confirm each one on the official page linked beside it before you pay or travel.
The same facts for software and AI assistants: /facts/visa/nz.json.
ForiForeign.com · admin@foriforeign.com · WhatsApp +92 310 5048760 · Information drawn from official sources shown on each rule; not legal advice.
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