Student Visa — New Zealand

The Student Visa allows you to study full-time in New Zealand. Immigration New Zealand (INZ) reviews and decides all applications using specific forms and visa categories.

Who this visa is for

This visa is for international students wanting to complete full-time study in New Zealand. You must apply directly to INZ and meet the requirements set for student entry.

If you plan to enroll in a single program with one education provider, this visa is generally appropriate. For multiple programs with approved providers, the Pathway Student Visa may be a better fit.

Related visas might apply, depending on your situation:

INZ manages all categories and determines which visa matches your purpose. Common forms include Form INZ 1000 (Student Visa Application) and Form INZ 1017 (Application for a Temporary Entry Visa). Use the correct form based on your method of application.

What it lets you do

A Student Visa allows you to study full-time in New Zealand for the duration of your approved program. Visa conditions reflect the details of your study approval.

Depending on your circumstances and visa conditions, you may become eligible for other visas later, such as a Post-Study Work Visa or Essential Skills Work Visa.

Your visa does not grant residence or unrestricted work rights. You must comply with all conditions attached to your visa.

INZ evaluates your study intentions, the accuracy of your application forms, and your compliance with visa conditions. If your situation changes, you must apply for a new visa or a variation of conditions before acting outside your current visa terms.

You must submit clear evidence of your identity, course acceptance, funds, health, and character to INZ. Missing or outdated documents can delay a decision on your Student Visa, Pathway Student Visa, or related applications.

Identity and course evidence

You must prove who you are and confirm your place in an approved course.

Provide:

• A copy of your passport or certificate of identity
• Evidence of acceptance into an approved course
• Documents showing your previous performance, progress, and attendance (if requested)
• Information about course dates and holiday periods in a separate document if required

Your offer of place must clearly identify the course and confirm that the education provider has accepted you. INZ uses this information to assess whether you meet the conditions of the visa you apply for.

Use the following checklist to review your documents:

Ensure all documents are complete and consistent with the details in your application.

Health, character and financial evidence

You must show that you can support yourself and that you meet health and character standards.

Provide:

• Bank statements or other proof of funds to cover living expenses
• A completed Financial Undertaking for a Student form if someone is supporting you
• Police certificates as evidence of good character
• A medical certificate confirming good health
• Evidence of a chest X-ray or medical examination, issued less than 3 months before INZ receives it

You may need to submit forms such as Form INZ 1000 (General Medical Certificate) or Form INZ 1017 (Chest X-ray Certificate) if INZ requires medical evidence.

Police certificates must be original documents. INZ will not assess your application without acceptable character evidence.

These requirements also apply when you later apply for visas such as a Post-Study Work Visa or an Essential Skills Work Visa, where relevant.

Translations and originals

You must submit original documents where required, especially for police certificates.

If any document is not in English, provide a full English translation along with a copy of the original document. INZ will assess both versions.

Do not alter or laminate original documents. Keep copies for your records before submitting them.

Incomplete translations or missing originals can result in processing delays or a request for further information.

You must pay a set application fee and plan for a defined processing window. INZ sets the cost and handles all timelines, but processing can vary by visa type and location.

Application fee

INZ charges NZ$375 for a Student Visa application (as of February 2026). You pay this fee when you submit your application.

The fee applies to standard Student Visa applications, including those submitted using forms such as Form INZ 1000 or Form INZ 1017, where applicable.

Other visa types—such as the Pathway Student Visa, Guardian of a Student Visitor Visa, Post-Study Work Visa, Working Holiday Visa, or Essential Skills Work Visa—have separate fees. Confirm the correct amount directly with INZ before you apply.

Payment of the fee does not guarantee approval. INZ will assess your eligibility and supporting documents before making a decision.

Standard processing times

INZ lists a standard processing time of 20 to 40 business days for Student Visa applications (as of March 2026).

Business days exclude weekends and public holidays. Calculate your timeline carefully, especially if your course start date is close.

processing times differ depending on the specific student visa category, where your application is processed, and the completeness of your documents.

Other visas, including the Pathway Student Visa or Post-Study Work Visa, may have different timeframes. You must check the current estimate for your exact visa type with INZ before submitting your application.

Variability and verification

Processing times are estimates, not guarantees. INZ may take less or more time depending on application volume and individual circumstances.

You can’t view accurate processing information until you provide your country details in the INZ system. This location-based factor directly affects how long your application may take.

Before applying, you should:

1. Confirm the current fee with INZ.

2. Check the latest processing time estimate for your visa category.

3. Ensure you submit a complete application using the correct form (such as INZ 1000 or INZ 1017, if required).

Your ability to work depends on the conditions printed on your visa label or approval from Immigration New Zealand (INZ).

You must follow those conditions exactly to avoid breaching your visa.

INZ sets work rights when it approves your Student Visa, Pathway Student Visa, or related application forms such as Form INZ 1000 and Form INZ 1017.

Term-time work limits

Most Student Visas include specific conditions that state whether you can work during your studies.

You can only work if your visa conditions explicitly allow it.

Check your visa approval for:

• Whether work is permitted
• Any limits on hours
• Whether work is restricted to certain periods (for example, while your course is in session)
• Whether you must be enrolled full-time

If your visa does not list work rights, you cannot work.

A Pathway Student Visa may cover multiple courses, but you must still meet the work conditions attached to that visa.

INZ determines these conditions at approval.

If you want full-time work rights instead of study-based work conditions, you may need a different visa, such as a Working Holiday Visa or an Essential Skills Work Visa, depending on your situation.

If you hold a Guardian of a Student Visitor Visa, your work rights differ from a standard Student Visa and depend on the conditions INZ grants.

Always confirm your specific conditions directly with INZ.

Practical training and internships

If your course requires practical training or an internship, INZ may allow you to complete it as part of your Student Visa conditions.

The training must form an official part of your approved programme.

You must:

• Be enrolled in the approved course
• Complete training required by that course
• Follow any work-related limits listed on your visa

INZ assesses your eligibility based on the information submitted in your application, including forms such as INZ 1000 or INZ 1017.

If you plan to stay in New Zealand after completing your qualification, you may consider a Post-Study Work Visa.

This visa is separate from your Student Visa and requires a new application to INZ.

Do not assume internship work automatically allows broader employment.

Your work must match the conditions INZ granted, and any change in employment conditions may require a different visa category.

Most refusals happen because you submit incomplete documents or fail to meet health and character requirements.

Immigration New Zealand (INZ) decides applications strictly on the evidence you provide, not on your intention to study.

Common documentation problems

INZ refuses many applications because required documents are missing, inconsistent, or invalid.

Filing a Student Visa, Pathway Student Visa, or Guardian of a Student Visitor Visa does not guarantee approval.

You must submit a complete and accurate application.

Common document issues include:

• Expired or invalid passport details
• Missing or incomplete offer of place from an approved education provider
• Financial documents that do not clearly prove you can cover living costs
• Failure to include required supporting evidence listed in the checklist
• Submitting forms such as Form INZ 1000 or Form INZ 1017 without all mandatory attachments

Use this checklist before you apply:

If you plan to later apply for a Post-Study Work Visa or transition to an Essential Skills Work Visa, your initial student application must still stand on its own.

INZ assesses each visa separately.

Health, character and eligibility gaps

INZ also refuses applications when you do not meet health or character standards.

You must provide required police certificates when applicable.

You must also show evidence of health and travel insurance if required.

Omitting this documentation can lead to refusal.

Common eligibility gaps include:

• Not completing all prerequisite steps before filing
• Failing to include police certificates when required
• Leaving sections incomplete on your application form
• Submitting evidence that does not match your personal details

INZ reviews your application based only on the documents you submit at the time of assessment.

If information is missing or inconsistent, the officer can refuse the visa without assuming your intent or future plans, including study pathways or working options such as a Working Holiday Visa.