New Zealand student visa: the official document checklist
In short: the Fee Paying Student Visa for New Zealand asks for 8 documents from every applicant, and 6 more when they apply to you. This list follows the official checklist of the New Zealand authorities, read on 16 October 2026. (official source, checked 16 October 2026)
Where applicants in Pakistan submit: Fully online through Immigration New Zealand's portal (apply.immigration.govt.nz): upload documents, pay, receive an eVisa by e-mail. The chest X-ray is done at an INZ-approved panel physician in Pakistan.
Photo: Online photo: JPG/JPEG, 512 KB-3.14 MB, 3:4 portrait, under 6 months old, plain neutral background, face 70-80% of the frame, no edits or AI changes; paper applications 35 mm x 45 mm.
Passport: Passport must be valid for at least 3 months after your planned departure from New Zealand.
Documents every applicant needs (8)
Scan of your passport information page High-quality scan. Passport must be valid for at least 3 months after your planned departure from New Zealand. (official source, checked 16 October 2026)
One acceptable photo Online: JPG/JPEG, 512 KB to 3.14 MB, portrait 3:4, less than 6 months old, plain neutral background, face 70-80% of image, not edited or AI-altered. Paper: 35 mm x 45 mm. (official source, checked 16 October 2026)
Evidence of your offer of place From an approved education provider; a conditional offer can get approval in principle, but an unconditional offer is needed before the visa is approved. (official source, checked 16 October 2026)
Evidence that you have paid tuition fees, can pay them, or do not need to Payment for one course or one year, whichever is shorter. (official source, checked 16 October 2026)
Evidence of enough money for living costsWhen: If you pay for yourself. 'NZD $20,000 for each year, if you are studying for 1 year or more' or 'NZD $1,667 for each month, if your study is shorter than 1 year'. Bank statements must show the account holder's name and the last 3 months of transactions; large deposits may need explaining; funds must be from a genuine source. (official source, checked 16 October 2026)
Full medical and travel insuranceWhen: Not needed for PhD students. From course start until visa expiry; must meet the Code of Practice and be acceptable to your provider (you declare this). (official source, checked 16 October 2026)
Evidence of a ticket out of New Zealand, or money to buy one(official source, checked 16 October 2026)
Online application and fee payment Online at apply.immigration.govt.nz; visa is issued as an eVisa by e-mail. (official source, checked 16 October 2026)
Documents that depend on your situation (6)
Financial Undertaking for a Student (INZ 1014)When: If a guarantor outside New Zealand pays your living costs. Completed INZ 1014; funds must be the guarantor's own, not loaned, shown by 3 months of bank statements or bank confirmation in Section E. (official source, checked 16 October 2026)
Scholarship evidenceWhen: If a scholarship pays your fees.(official source, checked 16 October 2026)
Chest X-ray certificateWhen: If you will stay more than 6 months. Pakistan is not on INZ's low-TB-incidence list. Full fee-paying students usually do not need a full medical. From an INZ panel physician; less than 3 months old when INZ receives it; certified English translation if not in English. (official source, checked 16 October 2026)
Police certificatesWhen: If you are 17 or older and your total time in New Zealand will be 24 months or more. Less than 6 months old when you apply; certified English translation if not in English. (official source, checked 16 October 2026)
Evidence of practical work experienceWhen: If your course requires it.(official source, checked 16 October 2026)
Certified English translationsWhen: For police or medical certificates not in English. Certified translation. (official source, checked 16 October 2026)
How to prepare each document
Passport
Valid for the whole stay plus the margin the country asks (often 6 months beyond).
At least two blank visa pages.
Scan the photo page in colour, flat, all four corners visible.
If you renewed it, keep the old passport too.
Official verification: Only the issuing authority can confirm a passport; we never call it genuine.
Photographs
Use the size and background the official checklist states (most ask a white or light background, face straight, no glasses).
Recent: usually taken in the last 6 months.
Same photo on the form and on paper.
Offer letter
The latest offer, unconditional if you have it.
Official verification: The university.
Tuition deposit receipt
Pay only to the account on the university's own website.
Keep the bank transfer slip and the university's receipt.
Official verification: The university's receipt is the proof.
Bank statement
The period and balance the country asks, never dropping below the amount.
Printed after the holding period, recent on the day you apply.
Signed and stamped by the bank, or e-mailed by the bank where the mission asks.
Official verification: Only the bank can confirm a statement; we never call it genuine.
Sponsor's letter or affidavit of support
Signed and dated, naming you, the relationship, the sponsor's job, and that the money is for your study.
Official verification: The notary's register.
Scholarship letter
The award letter with the amount and what it covers.
Official verification: The awarding body.
Medical or TB test
Only at the clinics the country approves; still valid on the day you apply.
Official verification: The approved clinic.
Police certificate
From every country you lived in for the period asked; recent on the day you apply.
Official verification: The issuing police.
Health insurance
Cover for the whole stay from the day you enter, with the minimum the country states.
Official verification: The insurer.
Additional documents
Anything else the checklist lists for your case; follow the checklist's own words.
Experience letters
From each employer: your role, dates and duties, on letterhead, signed and stamped.
Official verification: The employer.
Certified translation
Any paper not in English (or the country's language), translated by a qualified translator who signs and dates it.
Keep the original and the translation together.
Official verification: The translator's registration.
Visa application form
Fill it online exactly as your passport (FF Assistant can fill it); print and sign the confirmation where asked.
These preparation points are practical guidance; the official checklist decides what is asked.
ForiForeign prepares and guides; you file your own application and the New Zealand authorities decide. Checklists change: open the official source before you submit.
ForiForeign.com · admin@foriforeign.com · WhatsApp +92 310 5048760 · Information drawn from official sources shown on each rule; not legal advice.