If you are planning to study abroad and seeking a student visa for New Zealand, you should know that if you are planning to study in the country for more than 3 months only then you will be eligible for the same. The visa will enable full-time study for a particular duration. A visa may come with conditions encompassing the educational institution, course or program name, the location of the provider in the country and whether insurance is suitably held or not.
The cost of a student visa for New Zealand from India will be NZD 330 (around INR 17,255) and another INR 784 at the receiving centres if you are applying online. One can pay the fee at the receiving centres either in person or by post.
Via offline method:
Those applying for the student visa offline will have to pay USD 222 (INR 15,300) and another INR 1,180 as the charge for the receiving centre. One can pay the fee at the receiving centres either in person or by post.
How to get a student visa for New Zealand- Application procedure:
Online method:
Wondering how to get a student visa for New Zealand? You need to gather all the required documents and submit the visa application to initiate the process. To complete the procedure, fill the application online at https://www.studyinnewzealand.govt.nz/. Paying the student visa fees for New Zealand after filling the application form will complete the process.
The visa application is processed within 46 days from the date of completing the application process.
If an applicant is already in New Zealand and has a student visa, and his/her education provider is registered with Provider Direct (an online service that allows certified education providers to process student visa applications), they can submit the visa application for him/her.
Applying offline:
Gather all the required documents and fill the paper application form. The listed documents and application form are to be sent to the Visa Application Center along with the application fee and immigration levy.
You can also submit your application in person or by post at the below-given address:
New Zealand Visa Application Centre
Mezzanine Floor, Baba Kadak Singh Marg
Shivaji Stadium Metro Station, Connaught Place
New Delhi-110001, India
Once the application, fee and documents are received, the visa will be processed within 46 days.
Policy for dependents:
Here are the types of visas dependents i.e. partners and children can obtain:
Work visa for the partner
Visitor visas for partner and children
Student visa for children
It must be noted that student visa holders can only support these visas depending on the course they are studying.
Visitor visas for partner and children:
Children and partners will be allowed to explore the country as visitors as part of the visitor visas. Both partners and children can study in New Zealand for up to three months on this visa. They are also allowed to stay in the country for the same time as the student visa holder.
Work visas for partners:
One doesn’t need a job offer from an employer in New Zealand to apply under the work visa for partners. In this case, the partner of the student visa holder can apply for any profession and work with any organization. With this visa, one can also study for up to three months.
Study visa for dependent children:
Under this visa, children can study at any primary or secondary school without paying any fee. However, if the child wants to study at the tertiary level, he/she must apply for a Fee Paying Student Visa.
Student visa- Where should you apply?
Here are the places where you can apply for your New Zealand student visa-
1. INZ (Immigration New Zealand), New Delhi Center
2. New Zealand High Commission- Chanakyapuri, Sir Edmund Hillary Marg, New Delhi-110021
3. New Zealand Consulate-General- Third North Avenue, Level Two, Maker Maxity, Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC), Mumbai-400051
The student visa will require you to get an IELTS score of 6.0 to 6.5, depending upon the course of study and the institution. At the same time, you should have a confirmed offer from an educational institution on the approved list. You should prove sufficient funds for covering tuition and living expenditure along with possessing proper passport-sized photographs and a valid passport. Around $15,000 annually is required as proof of funds to meet living costs.
The visa will be valid for the entire duration of the course in case it is up to 12 months. If the course is for more than 12 months, the students need to renew their visa through the International Student Office of their university. You may apply for a work visa for a period of up to three years post studies. The work visa may be valid for one or two years as well. You should be finishing your course within the minimum course tenure given on the letter of acceptance. You can apply for a post-study work visa without a job offer as well. Visas will remain valid for up to 12 months and you can temporarily work and look for permanent employment in this duration.
You may work part-time for a maximum of 20 hours each week if your course has a duration of at least two years. It is also possible to work part-time if you are studying at a tertiary institution to develop skills in the English language. You may obtain full-time employment during breaks and vacations in case you are studying full-time with a tenure of at least one year. If the duration is a minimum of eight months and two semesters but lower than 120 credits, then you may obtain full-time work throughout the holiday season encompassing New Year and Christmas. Restrictions are absent for the working hours in case you are enrolled in post-graduation courses via a doctoral degree or research programs.
One can also apply for a New Zealand Permanent Residency (PR) visa by directly reaching out to the country’s government. Since the PR allotment is based on a points system, several conditions such as employability, qualifications and work experience play a large role in ensuring better chances of getting a PR. Usually, 160 points help you get an Invitation To Apply (ITA) for a PR visa.
With over 12 years of experience in the education sector, Harjeet specializes in study abroad counseling and visa management. She has a proven ability to guide students through university applications and visa processes, ensuring strict adherence to immigration laws. Her leadership background includes managing and mentoring teams, conducting training, and overseeing recruitment. As a Visa Manager, Harjeet excels in leading teams to efficiently process visas for multiple countries, driving operational excellence, and fostering strong partnerships with visa processing vendors.