New Zealand student visa
New Zealand has clearer rules and faster processing than Australia. Here is everything you need, in order.
Step-by-step: offer to visa decision
From the day you start an application to the day you have your eVisa in hand, usually 8–12 weeks.
- 1
Get your university offer
Apply via the university directly or through us. Conditional offers are common; you'll upgrade to unconditional after meeting English and document requirements.
- 2
Pay tuition deposit
Most NZ universities ask for first semester or first year tuition upfront to issue the receipt Immigration NZ needs.
- 3
Open an FTS account at ANZ NZ
Funds Transfer Scheme account. You deposit your one-year living costs (NZD 20,000). Immigration NZ treats this as proof of self-funding.
- 4
Gather your documents
Passport, offer letter, payment receipt, financial proof, medicals, police clearance, IELTS, SOP, academic transcripts.
- 5
Apply online via Immigration NZ
Submit through the official INZ portal. We complete the form with you to make sure nothing is misread.
- 6
Decision within 3–8 weeks
Immigration NZ targets a 3-week average for complete files. Allow up to 8 weeks if applying in the October to March peak period.
Your document checklist
One missing or unclear document is the #1 cause of delays. We review every page before submission so Immigration NZ sees a clean file the first time.
Get the full checklist on WhatsApp- Valid passport (12+ months validity)
- University offer letter (unconditional)
- Tuition payment receipt
- Financial proof: NZD 20,000 living + tuition (via FTS or solvency letter)
- Medical certificate (panel doctor)
- Police clearance certificate (PCC)
- English language proof: IELTS 6.0 overall, no band below 5.5
- Statement of Purpose (Genuine Intentions statement)
- Academic transcripts and certificates
- Health and travel insurance (uniCare or equivalent)
Post-Study Work Visa
After you finish, you get an open work visa with no employer sponsorship needed. Duration depends on your qualification level.
Common reasons for visa rejection
About 12% of NZ student visa applications are declined. Almost all land in one of these six buckets, every one is avoidable with a properly prepared file.
- Insufficient or unclear financial proof, most common reason
- Weak Statement of Purpose / lack of Genuine Intentions
- Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) concerns, failing to show you'll return home
- Incomplete documents or mismatched details across paperwork
- Unexplained education gaps or sudden course/country switches
- Poor English score relative to course requirement
No reputable consultant can guarantee a visa. Anyone who promises one is misleading you. We do guarantee rigorous file preparation and an honest pre-assessment before you pay any fees.
Spouse and children rights
NZ is among the more family-friendly study destinations. Specifics vary by your course level. These are the headline rules.
Spouse / partner
Spouses of Masters and PhD students typically qualify for an open work visa, full-time, any employer. Bachelors-level partners only get this if the course is on the Green List.
Children
Dependent children of Masters/PhD students attend NZ public schools at domestic fee rates, a fraction of international fees.
Get a visa eligibility check in 24 hours
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Continue exploring New Zealand
Three more guides. Keep going while you have momentum.
Universities & Courses
Compare all 8 public universities: rankings, courses, IELTS requirements, and fees.
Cost & Budget
What a year in NZ really costs in INR. Tuition, rent, food, transport, all broken down.
Student Life
Accommodation, Indian community, part-time work, and what life in NZ is actually like.