28 guides
Student Visas
Studying in New Zealand means satisfying an education provider first and Immigration New Zealand second. These guides cover the Student Visa, how much money you must show, the work rights that come with study, and the Post Study Work Visa that lets graduates stay on.
12 min read
The New Zealand Student Visa, Explained
What the NZ Fee Paying Student Visa actually requires: offer of place, NZ$20,000 a year in funds, 25 hours of work a week, and NZ$850 in fees.
Read guide
8 min read
The New Zealand Post Study Work Visa, Explained
The NZ Post Study Work Visa gives up to 3 years of work rights after study. Costs NZ$1,670, needs NZ$5,000 in funds, and you can only ever hold it once.
Read guide
8 min read
Working on a New Zealand Student Visa: Your Work Rights
NZ student visa work rights rose to 25 hours a week on 3 November 2025. Who gets them, when you can work full-time, and the rules for 16 and 17 year olds.
Read guide
8 min read
Changing Education Provider or Course on a New Zealand Student Visa
Switching school, course or provider on an NZ student visa usually means a variation of conditions or a new visa. What NZ$325 buys and when it is not enough.
Read guide
7 min read
The Dependent Child Student Visa, Explained
The Dependent Child Student Visa lets the child of an NZ work or student visa holder attend primary or secondary school. Tertiary study needs a different visa.
Read guide
8 min read
Documents You Need for a New Zealand Student Visa
Every document an NZ student visa needs: offer of place, evidence of funds, insurance, health and character evidence, and translations where required.
Read guide
7 min read
Studying English in New Zealand: The Student Visa Rules
English language study in New Zealand runs on a Fee Paying Student Visa. Funds, work rights, course length and how language schools differ from universities.
Read guide
7 min read
The New Zealand Exchange Student Visa, Explained
The NZ Exchange Student Visa waives tuition for approved exchange schemes. Study Abroad programmes do not count - those students need a Fee Paying Student Visa.
Read guide
7 min read
Extending a Student Visa in New Zealand
There is no student visa renewal button in New Zealand - you apply for a further student visa. Timing, funds, the 4-year cap and what to do if it lapses.
Read guide
8 min read
The Genuine Intention Test for New Zealand Student Visas
A genuine intention to study is a standalone NZ student visa requirement, and the one most refusals turn on. What INZ looks at and how to evidence it.
Read guide
7 min read
The New Zealand Guardian Visitor Visa, Explained
The NZ Guardian Visitor Visa lets a parent live with a child on a student visa. From NZ$441, no local work rights by default, and a hard live-with obligation.
Read guide
7 min read
How Much a New Zealand Student Visa Costs
The real cost of an NZ student visa: NZ$850 for the Fee Paying Student Visa, NZ$750 for the Pathway visa, and where the fee, levy and IVL each go.
Read guide
7 min read
Sending a Child to a New Zealand School as an International Student
School student visas are New Zealand's fastest at 2 weeks on average. Funds are NZ$17,000 a year, and under-10s need a guardian living with them.
Read guide
8 min read
Schools, PTEs, Polytechnics and Universities Compared
Your NZ provider type decides your visa processing time and your Post Study Work Visa outcome. Schools, PTEs, polytechnics and universities compared.
Read guide
7 min read
The New Zealand Pathway Student Visa, Explained
The NZ Pathway Student Visa covers up to three consecutive courses on one visa for up to five years, from NZ$750. Who it suits and what can go wrong.
Read guide
7 min read
How Long a Post Study Work Visa Lasts, and When to Apply
The NZ Post Study Work Visa is not a flat one, two or three years. Length follows your qualification and study time, and the deadline to apply is unforgiving.
Read guide
7 min read
What Changes for the Post Study Work Visa on 16 November 2026
From 16 November 2026 the NZ Post Study Work Visa opens to Level 7 graduate diplomas and bachelor's degrees earned outside New Zealand. Who gains?
Read guide
7 min read
New Zealand Private Training Establishments, Explained
PTEs are New Zealand's private tertiary providers. Their student visas take 4 weeks on average, and the qualification decides your work rights afterwards.
Read guide
8 min read
Your New Zealand Student Visa Was Declined. What Now?
A declined NZ student visa is not the end. Reconsideration costs NZ$220, fees are not refunded, and the reason INZ gives determines what you should do next.
Read guide
7 min read
Bringing Your Partner and Children on a New Zealand Student Visa
Your partner and children cannot be included in an NZ student visa application. Here is what each of them applies for, what it costs and what they can do.
Read guide
7 min read
Proving Funds for a New Zealand Student Visa
How much money you need for an NZ student visa: NZ$20,000 a year for tertiary study, NZ$17,000 for school, plus tuition and evidence INZ will accept.
Read guide
7 min read
Insurance, Medicals and Health Rules for New Zealand Student Visas
NZ student visas need acceptable insurance and an acceptable standard of health. Chest x-ray triggers, the NZ$81,000 threshold and what Pathway adds.
Read guide
7 min read
New Zealand Student Visa Processing Times
INZ publishes student visa wait times by provider type, not by visa. Universities average 2.5 weeks, polytechnics 5.5, PTEs 4 and schools 2 weeks.
Read guide
6 min read
New Zealand Student Visa Refusal Rates by Nationality
Bangladesh 36%, Pakistan 24%, India 21%, Nepal 18%, China 3.4%. The published NZ student visa refusal rates and what actually drives the difference.
Read guide
8 min read
From Student Visa to New Zealand Residence: The Real Pathway
A student visa does not lead to NZ residence by itself. The chain runs student visa to Post Study Work Visa to AEWV to residence - and each link has a filter.
Read guide
7 min read
Studying at a New Zealand University as an International Student
University students get New Zealand's fastest student visa processing - 2.5 weeks on average - and the best Post Study Work Visa outcomes. Here is why.
Read guide
9 min read
The Nine Types of New Zealand Student Visa
New Zealand has nine student visas, not one. Compare the Fee Paying, Pathway, English Language, Exchange, Scholarship and Dependent Child visas side by side.
Read guide
6 min read
When to Apply for a New Zealand Student Visa
INZ names two student visa peaks: October to March, and May to August. Apply at least three months before you travel, and earlier if you are in a peak.
Read guide