New Zealand Student Visa 2026 : Types, Requirements, Processing Time, Cost
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If you are dreaming of studying in New Zealand, there’s good news for you. The New Zealand student visa process is now 100% digital. It means no paper work in offline mode. It is making it easier and more transparent for Indian students than ever before. With the new Immigration Online system, applying for your New Zealand student visa is quicker, paperless, and fully streamlined.
New Zealand Student visa is a legal document that allows Indian students to complete higher studies here. Now, you need to have just few minutes for NZ study visa application and focus more on planning your academic adventure. Whether you are aiming for undergraduate, postgraduate, or doctoral studies university of NZ, this update will help every international student. The NZ student visa processing time varies between 8-10 weeks.
If you have submitted application well then approval chances are high. The New Zealand student visa fee is NZD 850 for online applications.
- New Zealand Student Visa Details
- Who Can Apply for New Zealand Student Visa?
- New Zealand Student Visa Documents Required
- How to Apply for a New Zealand Student Visa
- Financials: The Funds Transfer Scheme (FTS) Guide
- Additional Information for NZ Study Visa
- New Zealand High Commission in India
- New Zealand Study Visa Processing Time
New Zealand Student Visa Details
Students who want to study in New Zealand need to apply and get NZ student visa. For any course more than 3 months. Check out some key requirements to get a New Zealand student visa:
- A letter of acceptance from a New Zealand university.
- Proof of funds to cover your living expenses. Also, proof of income.
- Students must have proof of full medical and travel insurance before applying for a student visa.
- A valid passport is the most important document which a student must have.
- Show any proof that you can speak, listen, write, and understand the English language well.
Who Can Apply for New Zealand Student Visa?
Check out eligibility to get New Zealand student visa for an international student:
- Confirmed Admission: Applicant must have confirmed their offer letter for a course registered under Ministry of Education of New Zealand or NZQA.
- Proof of Funds: Applicants must show proof of NZD 20,000 for a year to stay in New Zealand for study.
- Per Month Fund: An applicant must maintain NZD 1,667 per month to survive in New Zealand.
- A Ticket to Return: You must either provide a return ticket to your home country, or show that you have sufficient funds to buy one. This proves you have the means to leave New Zealand when your visa expires.
NZ Student Visa Application Fee
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Students who are submitting their Student Visa Application online are required to pay NZD 850, which is INR 42,857 (approximately).
New Zealand Student Visa Documents Required
Candidates looking to apply for their New Zealand Student Visa must have the following documents as part of their visa application process:
| Requirement | Details / Examples |
|---|---|
| Valid Passport | Must be valid for at least 3 months beyond the intended departure from New Zealand. |
| Offer of Place | From an approved New Zealand education provider. |
| Tuition Fees Proof | Receipt, payment confirmation, scholarship letter, or education loan letter. |
| Proof of Funds | Typically NZD $20,000 per year (or NZD $1,667/month for courses under a year). Evidence can include:
|
| Medical / Chest X-ray | Required if applicable (depends on length of stay and personal circumstances).
|
| Police Certificate | May be required depending on age and length of stay. |
| Visa Photograph(s) | One acceptable photo if applying online; two if applying on paper. |
| Proof of Onward Travel | Return ticket or evidence of funds to purchase one. |
| Certified Translations | Required for any non-English documents. |
| Insurance | Evidence of travel and health insurance that meets New Zealand requirements (through a provider or independently). |
| Parental / Guardian Consent | Needed if under 18, or under 10 and not living in an NZQA-approved hostel. |
| Work-related Documents | If planning to work, include parental and provider permission if under 18. |
| Additional Documents |
*Note: Additional documentation may be required. During the personal interview, additional documents may be requested by the interviewer. These may be documents to prove evidence of academic or financial status.
Note: As evidence of identity, INZ accepts only PAN card or Aadhar Card. Voter ID, Ration Card, academic documents or driving license are not acceptable as evidence of identity.
Related Reads:
How to Apply for a New Zealand Student Visa
The online method is not only less time-consuming but also less expensive than the post. Here is how to complete your application online using NZ Immigration Online.
- Secure admission and obtain an official offer letter from a New Zealand approved university.
- Prepare all your documents.
- Visit official NZ Immigration Online portal. Register for a new account.
- Choose correct student visa type.
- Fill out application accurately, upload all required documents, and pay the visa fee online.
- Monitor your New Zealand student visa application through your online account. Respond quickly if Immigration NZ requests.
- Once approved, you will receive an eVisa.
Financials: The Funds Transfer Scheme (FTS) Guide
For Indian students, proving you have enough funds is often the hardest part of this NZ study visa application. The Funds Transfer Scheme (FTS) is the "gold standard" method preferred by Immigration New Zealand (INZ) to solve this.
What is FTS?
The FTS allows you to transfer your living expenses (typically NZD 20,000 for one year) to a locked bank account in New Zealand before you arrive. This money is then released to you in monthly installments. To cover your rent and food.
Why choose FTS? (Pros & Cons)
| Benefits | The Catch |
|---|---|
| Faster Processing: INZ trusts this method 100%. It removes doubts about "fake" bank statements or borrowed money. | High Upfront Cost: You must have the full NZD 20,000 (approx. INR 10-11 Lakhs) ready to transfer immediately. |
| Guaranteed Budgeting: You get NZD 1,667 every month, ensuring you don't run out of money. | Locked Funds: You cannot withdraw the full amount at once to buy a car or pay tuition. |
Additional Information for NZ Study Visa
You can work part-time in New Zealand, for up to 25 hours per week on your student visa. Here are important details that you should know:
| Study Type | Work Rights |
|---|---|
| Any program (requirement) | Must complete within the duration stated in the offer letter. |
| Post-study work option | For students completing a Bachelor’s degree (Level 7) or higher (Master’s/PhD), the visa is valid for up to 3 years. |
| General courses | Work up to 25 hours/week if:
|
| Full-time program (≥ 1 year) | Work full-time during all vacations. |
| Full-time program (8+ months, 2 semesters, <120 credits) | Work full-time only during the Christmas & New Year holidays. |
| Master’s by research / PhD | No restrictions, can work unlimited hours. |
New Zealand High Commission in India
Provided below is the contact information of various New Zealand High Commissions located across the country.
| Office | Details |
|---|---|
| New Zealand High Commission, New Delhi | Sir Edmund Hillary Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 110 021, India
|
| New Zealand Consulate-General, Mumbai | Level 2, Maker Maxity, 3rd North Avenue, Bandra Kurla Complex, Mumbai 400 051, India
|
| New Zealand Honorary Consulate, Kolkata | Altius Sports & Leisure Pvt Ltd, 38A/2, Jyotish Roy Road, 700 053, Kolkata
|
| New Zealand Honorary Consulate, Chennai | 132 Cathedral Road, Maithri, 600086, Chennai, India
|
New Zealand Study Visa Processing Time
In order to study in New Zealand international, students can apply for a study visa of NZ after receiving their confirmation letters from the respective universities. International students should ideally apply 8 weeks before travelling to study in New Zealand. Applicants should keep some buffer time so that they are able to fulfil all formalities and furshish all documents as and when needed.
For New Zealand student visa, students must show proof of NZD20,000 per year for living expenses, and tuition fees. Funds must be accessible via bank statements or approved schemes. If students have scholarships or sponsor then letter issued by them are also accepted as financial proof.
On average a student visa application is processed within 20-30 days in New Zealand for international students:
| NZ Education Provider |
Average NZ Study Visa Processing Time |
|---|---|
| Te Pūkenga |
5 weeks |
| PTEs |
4 weeks |
| Universities |
1.5 weeks |
| Schools |
2 weeks |
Source: Official Website of NZ Government.
Candidates looking for assistance with universities in New Zealand can get in touch with our Shiksha Study Abroad Counsellors on our website. Readers with queries can get in touch with us in the comments section below.
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4 years ago
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5 years ago
Hell Priyanka. to know about the latest on University admission during the time of Covid, visit: https://studyabroad.shiksha.com/future-of-study-abroad-countries-consider-re-opening-to-international-students-amid-covid-19-crisis-articlepage-2537
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5 years ago
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5 years ago
Hello Ashish. There is obviously a lot of uncertainty looming over international travel for next year. While most universities are promoting students to do a semester or two at home via the remote method and then travel to the country once travel restrictions are lifted. you can get more updates he
Yes, IELTS is required for a New Zealand student visa. It is an eligibility to proove your English language proficiency if you're from a non-English-speaking country. Minimum IELTS scores vary by course level. However, there are some alterantives of IELTS scores TOEFL or PTE.