New Zealand has an international reputation as a provider of quality education. New Zealand features amazing scenery, fun places to visit and excellent study destinations which are now enjoyed by more than 20,000 international students studying at all levels of the education system.

New Zealand welcomes people who wish to study in New Zealand. New Zealand is proud to offer high quality, internationally recognized courses, and to keep our good standards and reputation there are some rules and regulations that students from other countries have to meet.

What's required - Students?

To be eligible to come to New Zealand as a student your course must meet the New Zealand requirements for international students. And there are requirements you must meet as a student. You may need to get a Student Visa or Permit to study in New Zealand as an international student.

What are the requirements my course has to meet?

The most important requirement as that you have an offer of place from a New Zealand education provider such as a school, polytechnic, or university. Study programmes offered to international students must meet specific course requirements.

What requirements do I have to meet?

To be eligible to come to New Zealand as a student there are a number of conditions you need to meet before you get here and others you must meet during your stay. To meet New Zealand Immigration requirements, an offer of place made by a New Zealand education provider must include :

• The name of the course and the minimum time required for completing it
• Proof that the course and course provider meet New Zealand’s requirements
• The amount of the fee for the complete course, or, if the course is longer than one year,
• Whether or not the student has to pay course fees.

Before you get here…

To enter New Zealand you need :

• To have an offer of a place from a New Zealand education provider such as a school, polytechnic or university
• Evidence that you’ve arranged accommodation through the education provider or through another person
• A guardian who is eligible to accompany you, if required
• To be in good health and of good moral character. If your stay is longer than six months, in some cases you may need to complete a TB clearance. You may also need to complete a medical and police certificate depending on how long you intend to stay in New Zealand
• A passport that’s valid for at least three months past the date you are to leave New Zealand
• Proof that you plan to leave New Zealand once you’ve completed your study
• Proof that :

• You have paid any course fees that you’re required to pay or
• You're exempt from paying fees or
• You have a scholarship or an award that covers your fee
• Proof that you have enough money to support yourself during your stay
• The correct visa for staying in New Zealand

While you’re here…

If you’re granted a Student Permit you need to meet certain conditions during your stay :

• You must attend the place of study noted in your permit. However you can apply to change your course or the institution.
• You must live with your guardian, if required
• We’ll want to see you making progress in your study – that you’re passing your course
• You may only undertake work allowed by your Student Permit
• You must keep within New Zealand laws
• You must only stay in New Zealand for the time allowed by your permit.

If you break any of these conditions, your permit may be revoked.

When shoud I apply for a student visa or permit?

You can apply for a Student Visa when you're :

• Living outside New Zealand and you have an offer of place from a New Zealand education provider.
• Already in New Zealand on a Student Permit but you need to leave New Zealand.

You can apply for a Student Permit when you're :

• Living outside New Zealand and you have an offer of place from a New Zealand education provider.
• Already in New Zealand on another permit, such as Work Permit, and you wish to study.

International students can only obtain students visas for full-time study towards a New Zealand qualification with providers who are registered and approved by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA).

Once you arrive in New Zealand on a Student Visa, you will be issued a Student Permit. The Student Permit gives you permission to stay in New Zealand temporarily to study. It States the date your permit will expire, the institution at which you are permitted to study and any other conditions of your permit.

Who will need a student visa and/or permit?

Some people do need a student’s visa, some people don’t. But most international students will need a permit that sets out the conditions of their stay here.

You may not need a visa or permit if you're :

• A New Zealand citizen or you hold a New Zealand resident permit
• An Australian citizen or Australian resident who holds a current permanent resident return visa.

If the course you want to take runs for less than three months, you could apply for a visitor’s visa. You must ensure your course is NZQA approved.

In some circumstances you may not be able to get a visa, and in others you may need a limited purpose visa to study in New Zealand.

For a wealth of information regarding immigration, employment and education in New Zealand, please visit New Zealand Immigration Service website.