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New Zealand Student Visa Process (Fee Paying Student Visa)
Most international students who want to study in New Zealand apply for the Fee Paying Student Visa. It lets you study full-time at an approved education provider and work part-time during your course. You apply online through Immigration New Zealand.
This visa can be issued for up to 4 years and the fee starts from NZD 850. INZ also says student visa processing is busiest between October and March so students in Vasai-Virar and Mumbai should plan early.
Approval depends on more than admission. INZ checks your funds and your health and character and whether you genuinely intend to study. A clear file with matching documents gives you the best chance.
Types of New Zealand Student Visas
Fee Paying Student Visa
The main visa for students who pay international fees themselves or with family support or a loan. It allows full-time study and part-time work.
Pathway Student Visa
For students on a planned study pathway with up to 3 courses one after the other. It can be issued for up to 5 years.
Post Study Work Visa
A work visa for graduates of eligible New Zealand qualifications. It allows you to work for up to 3 years depending on your study.
Eligibility Criteria
Key requirements for the Fee Paying Student Visa include
- Offer of Place: From an approved provider with a signed declaration
- Valid Passport: Valid for 3 months after you plan to leave
- English Proficiency: IELTS or TOEFL scores are optional but help
- Financial Capacity: Proof of fees and living funds for the stay
- Genuine Intentions: A clear plan to study and then leave
- Health Requirements: Chest X-ray or medical only if requested
- Character Requirements: Police certificate if you stay 24 months or more
Required Documents
Passport and Photo
A high quality scan of the passport information page and one acceptable photo.
Offer of Place
Shows the course name and length and study mode with a provider declaration.
Tuition Fee Evidence
A receipt or proof that you can pay the fees for one course or one year.
Financial Documents
Bank statements and loan sanction letters or fixed deposits from a genuine source.
Police and Medical Certificates
Needed only in some cases and must be recent with certified English translations.
Return Ticket Proof
A ticket out of New Zealand or extra money in your account to buy one.
Required Documents
Passport and
Photo
Offer of
Place
Tuition Fee
Evidence
Financial
Documents
Medical
Certificates
Return Ticket
Proof
The Main Two Pillars Of Visa Approval
Your visa approval starts here
Financial Requirements
Students must show enough funds to cover:
- First-year tuition fees
- Living costs of NZD 20,000 per year(NZD 1,667 per month for courses under 1 year)
- A ticket out of New Zealand or money to buy one
- Sponsor or guarantor support where this applies
Financial proof can include:
- Bank statements
- Education loan sanction letter with repayment details
- Fixed term deposits
- Sponsor or guarantor documents
INZ checks that your money comes from a genuine source it can confirm. Indian applicants may be able to use the Funds Transfer Scheme to show access to their funds. If you apply from India and use a sponsor or guarantor they must be immediate family.
Genuine Intentions Requirement
INZ checks whether you truly plan to study in New Zealand and follow your visa conditions.
It focuses on:
- Study plan: An offer of place in an approved programme
- Leaving plan: A ticket or funds to leave before the visa ends
- Past refusals: Any visa declined by another country must be declared
- Honest answers: Every answer in the application must be truthful
A strong application is:
- Clear
- Consistent with documents
- Truthful
- Backed by evidence
If INZ does not believe your intentions are genuine it might not give you a visa.
Medical And Travel Insurance
Insurance is a condition of the Fee Paying Student Visa. It covers:
- Health care you need in New Zealand
- Travel during your stay
- Whole stay from course start to visa expiry
- Provider rules set by your education provider
Your insurance must:
- Cover you from the start of your course until your visa expires
- Meet the Pastoral Care Code of Practice 2021
- Be acceptable to your education provider
Your provider will tell you what the policy must cover or arrange it for you. PhD students do not need this insurance.
Student Visa Costs And Processing Timeline
Stay informed about costs and timelines
Visa Fees (2026)
The Fee Paying Student Visa fee starts from NZD 850.
Additional expenses may include:
- Medical examination if required
- Chest X-ray if required
- Police certificates if required
- Certified translations of certificates
You must also show NZD 20,000 per year for living costs.
Processing Time
INZ publishes processing times and updates them regularly.
Key points:
- 80 percent of applications are decided within 7 weeks
- The busiest period runs from October to March
- Indian applicants averaged 30 working days from 1 January to 21 April 2026
- Apply at least 3 months before you plan to travel
Missing documents or unclear funds can slow your application.
New Zealand Student Visa Application Process
Understand the key steps to apply
1. Admission Offer
Apply to an approved provider and receive an offer of place.
3. Document Preparation
Gather passport and photo and offer and funds proof.
5. Insurance Plan
Agree to hold medical and travel insurance for your stay.
7. Online Application
Create an Immigration New Zealand online account and apply.
9. Extra Requests
Reply fast if INZ asks for more information.
2. Tuition Payment
Pay one year of fees or wait for approval in principle.
4. Funds Arrangement
Organise living funds or a sponsor or the Funds Transfer Scheme.
6. Health And Police Checks
Complete these only if INZ requires them.
8. Upload And Pay
Upload every document and pay the visa fee online.
10. Visa Decision
Receive your eVisa by email once approved.
Common Reasons For Visa Rejection
-
Doubtful Intentions
If INZ does not believe you genuinely plan to study the visa can be refused. -
Unclear Funds
Money that INZ cannot confirm as genuine raises concern. -
Identity Errors
1111 Details that do not match your passport can cause delay or refusal. -
Missing Police Certificates
Applications without a required certificate can be declined or issued for less time. -
Weak Past Progress
Returning students must show attendance and passing grades. -
Undeclared Refusals
Any visa declined by another country must be declared.
FAQs
Is it difficult to get a New Zealand student visa?
Not if your file is complete and honest. INZ approved 75.4 percent of Indian student visa applications in 2025 and declined 23.7 percent. In the first three months of 2024 nearly half were declined so a clear funds trail and study plan matter. Many families search for the New Zealand student visa for Indian students once they get an offe
How much bank balance is required for a New Zealand student visa?
You need NZD 20,000 per year for living costs or NZD 1,667 per month if your course is shorter than a year. This is on top of your tuition fees. Indian students can also use the Funds Transfer Scheme. Always confirm the bank balance for a New Zealand student visa with your counsellor before you apply.
How long does a New Zealand student visa take?
INZ says 80 percent of Fee Paying Student Visa applications are decided within 7 weeks. Indian applicants averaged 30 working days between 1 January and 21 April 2026. INZ advises applying at least 3 months before travel so plan around the New Zealand student visa processing time.
Can I work on a New Zealand student visa?
Yes. Your visa may allow part-time work of up to 25 hours a week and full-time work in scheduled holidays. Check your visa conditions because they decide the exact rules. Many students look for how to work on a New Zealand student visa to cover living costs.
Can I stay and work in New Zealand after my studies?
You may be able to apply for a Post Study Work Visa which allows up to 3 years of work depending on your qualification. Master’s and doctoral graduates who studied for at least 30 weeks can get 3 years. You can only hold this visa once.
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