The New Zealand education system is the best in the world, but it’s not easy to get a study visa from this country. The requirements are a bit complicated and hard to understand.
It requires you to fill out forms, get bank statements, provide proof of health insurance, etc., which can be hard if you’re applying from another country.
With this guide we will walk you through the steps required for obtaining your student visa so that you don't have any issues when applying at the immigration office.
To make things easier we've broken down each step into easy-to-follow sections with FAQs and tips along the way!
Major New Zealand Study Visa Requirements
1. Documents Required for a New Zealand Study Visa
To apply for a visa, you must have the following documents ready:
- A valid passport
- Travel history documents
- 2 passport size photographs
- Letter of Acceptance from the University attested by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority
- Academic transcripts like diplomas, certificates, degrees.
- Duly filled Study Visa Application form
- Application fees receipt
- Tuition fee receipt
- Proof of funds worth NZ$15,000 for a full year of study. This may include:
- Bank statements
- Financial undertaking by a sponsor to cover accommodation and living costs.
- Scholarship certificate
- Police clearance certificate with age proof and clean criminal record
- An X-ray report showing you do not have Tuberculosis
- Complete medical examination report
- Work experience letters ( if applicable)
- SOP ( if required)
Digital Photograph Specifications
- Size: 500KB to 10MB. 35mm by 45mm.
- Colour photograph
- White background with 80% visibility of the head
- Shouldn’t be older than 6 months
- No glasses to depict a clearer view of the eyes
- Religious headgear can be worn if completely necessary.
- Dimensions (Digital): : 900x1200 pixels to 4500x6000 pixels maximum.
2. New Zealand Study Visa Costs
For primary student applicant:
|
Category |
Cost |
|
Online Student Visa Application |
NZD 530 +VFS 722 |
|
Offline Student Visa Application ( Paper Application) |
INR 24,500+ VFS1087 |
Dependents of student:
|
Category |
Cost |
|
Dependent Child S/V (Online File) |
NZD 295 + VFS 747 |
|
Dependent Child S/V (Paper Visa Application) |
INR 13,650+VFS 1,124 |
|
Child Visitor of Student Visa (Online File) |
NZD 211 + VFS 742 |
|
Dependent Child S/V (Paper Visa Application) |
INR 9,800+VFS 1,124 |
*VFS: Visa Facilitation Services
3. Choosing the Right University
Top 7 Universities in New Zealand
Here are the top 7 Universities of New Zealand for the year 2021
|
QS Ranking of New Zealand Universities |
||
|
Name of the Institution |
QS Ranking NZ 2020 |
QS Ranking Global 2020 |
|
The University of Auckland |
1 |
83 |
|
University of Otago |
2 |
176 |
|
Victoria University of Wellington |
3 |
215 |
|
University of Canterbury |
4 |
227 |
|
University of Waikato |
5 |
266 |
|
Massey University |
6 |
287 |
|
Lincoln University |
7 |
356 |
4. Eligibility Requirements for NZ Universities
Though there aren’t general eligibility requirements for New Zealand Universities, there are some basic criteria you will need to fulfil in order to apply for admissions in the country.
We’ve listed down the basic eligibility requirements in this table below:
|
Program chosen |
IELTS Score Requirement |
Minimum Academic Requirements |
|
Diploma L5 & L6 |
6.0 with no band less than 5.5 |
Upto 12th Grade Education with 50-60% |
|
Bachelor’s L7 |
6.0 with no band less than 5.5 |
Upto 12th Grade Education with 60% |
|
Graduate Diploma L7 |
6.0 with no band less than 5.5 |
Bachelor with 55-60% |
|
Post-graduate Diploma L8 |
6.5 with no band less than 6.0 |
Bachelor with minimum of 60% |
|
Master’s Programme L9 |
6.5 with no band less than 6.0 |
Bachelor Degree with 60% with two years of work experience |
5. Application Process for a New Zealand Study Visa
Step 1: Check the latest Covid-19 updates for dates, costs and requirements
You need to go to New Zealand immigration’s official website to check for the latest rules and regulations around the pandemic.
Step 2: Gather your supporting documents
Refer to the checklist above to make sure you have all the required documents to file your application.
Step 3: Select the university and course that best suits your qualifications.
You need to apply for the course in your preferred university before the deadline.
Step 4: Consult an immigration consultant to file your application
You can talk to our experts at Kansas to give you more options and services for getting your visa more quickly and without hassle.
Step 5: Receive a Letter of Acceptance from the NZ University
You need to mandatorily have a Letter of Acceptance from your preferred university in NZ to file your visa application.
Step 6: Collect your NZ Study Visa application and fill it
You can ask your immigration consultant to give you the application or you can download it online.
Step 7: Attach all documents to your application and submit it
To submit your application online:
- You must create a Real Me account on the official website.
To submit your application offline:
- You need to download the INZ 1012 Application,
- Take a print out of the application and fill it accurately and,
- Mail your application to the New Zealand Embassy
Additional Steps:
- Translate all your documents to English before mailing them
- Get your Medical Certificate and Police Clearance Certificate beforehand.
Interesting Facts about New Zealand
- New Zealand has more than 400 golf courses per capita in the country, making it the highest ever in the world.
- It is home to the cleanest lake in the world, Nelson’s Blue Lake.
- It is the first country to give women rights for voting in 1893.
- Taumatawhakatangihangaoauauotameteaturipukakapikimaungah-oronukupokaiwhenuakitanatahu, a town in New Zealand is the longest name of any place in an English speaking country.
- Sign language is one of the official languages in New Zealand.
- The movie, Lord of the Rings was shot in New Zealand.
Conclusion
To get a New Zealand Study Visa you must have:
- A valid passport
- Travel history documents
- 2 passport size photographs
- Letter of Acceptance from the University attested by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority
- Academic transcripts like diplomas, certificates, degrees.
- Duly filled Study Visa Application form
- Application fees receipt
- Tuition fee receipt
- Proof of funds worth NZ$15,000 for one year of study
- Police clearance certificate with age proof and clean criminal record
- An X-ray report showing you do not have Tuberculosis
- Complete medical examination report
- Work experience letters ( if applicable)
- SOP ( if required)
Other Important FAQs
Are 5.5 bands eligible for NZ?
You need to have a minimum of 5.5 in each of the four sections in your IELTS Test with an overall score of at least 6 to be eligible for applying for a NZ Study Visa.
How much is a student visa for New Zealand?
Online Student Visa applicants need to pay an amount of NZD 330 + INR 747 (approximately) as the receiving centre fees.
Can I enter NZ without IELTS?
Yes, you can. You need to provide proof of education in an English medium system for at least 5 years to be exempt from this mandate. Alternatively, you can also give the PTE, TOEFL, and other English Proficiency exams to be eligible.
What are the criteria for PR in New Zealand?
- Candidate must be aged below 55 years
- He/she must have a good command over the English language
- He/she must provide proof of good character and health
- A job offer from a NZ Company beforehand is preferred.
