New Zealand Student Visa: Funds, Documents and How to Apply

New Zealand's Fee Paying Student Visa is for students who pay international tuition fees themselves, including those supported by family, a loan or a partial scholarship. This guide covers the funds you must show, the other requirements and how to apply, based on Immigration New Zealand (INZ) pages.

Fee Paying Student Visa at a glance

**Cost:** INZ lists the fee as "from NZD $850". The page gives no effective date, so confirm the amount when you apply.

**Processing time:** INZ lists 80% of applications within 7 weeks.

**Length of stay:** up to 4 years. The visa is normally issued for the period of paid study, or until your passport expires if that is sooner.

**When to apply:** INZ advises applying at least 3 months before you travel, because processing is busiest from October to March.

Eligibility and requirements

**Offer of place:** you need an offer from an approved education provider. Applicants outside New Zealand can apply with a conditional offer, but an unconditional offer is needed before approval.

**Insurance:** travel and health insurance from the start of your course until your visa expires, meeting your provider's requirements.

**Passport:** valid for at least 3 months after the date you plan to leave New Zealand.

**Health:** you must be in good health. Full fee-paying students do not usually need a medical certificate, but a chest X-ray may be required for stays over 6 months from certain countries.

**Character:** police certificates are required if you are 17 or older and will spend 24 months or more in New Zealand. They must be less than 6 months old.

**Onward travel:** a fully paid ticket out of New Zealand, or enough extra funds to buy one.

How much money you must show

Your funds evidence must cover both tuition and living costs. They are separate requirements.

Living costs

| Study type | Amount |

|---|---|

| Tertiary, English language or other non-compulsory study, 1 year or more | NZD 20,000 per year |

| Same, shorter than 1 year | NZD 1,667 per month |

| School students (years 1 to 13) | NZD 17,000 per year, or NZD 1,417 per month for shorter study |

Prepaid accommodation, such as a school homestay fee, can be deducted. You must evidence any remaining shortfall.

Tuition fees

You must meet one of these:

full payment for 1 year or 1 programme, whichever is shorter;

funds available for tuition if you apply from outside New Zealand under approval in principle (AIP);

your provider confirms you are exempt from fees.

Accepted tuition evidence is a payment receipt, or provider confirmation of payment or expected payment. Bank transfer screenshots and education agent receipts are not accepted.

Where the money can come from

Funds must be verifiable and genuinely accessible to you in New Zealand. They can be your own money, an acceptable sponsor, or a guarantor/third party. You can combine these.

**Sponsors:** a sponsor must cover all your living costs. Organisations must be registered in New Zealand. Individuals must be a New Zealand citizen or resident and a family member or friend. You cannot change sponsors.

**Financial undertaking:** a guarantor outside New Zealand completes form INZ 1014 using their own non-loaned funds.

Required documents

Primary funds evidence INZ accepts:

bank statements in the account holder's name covering the last 3 months of transactions;

term deposit certificates held for at least 3 months;

a scholarship award letter;

education loan disbursal and sanction letters from a nationalised or multinational bank;

provident fund evidence, if the funds can be withdrawn.

INZ may also ask for secondary evidence. Large deposits (over NZD 2,000) or many smaller ones need an explanation and supporting documents. Recently opened accounts need evidence of how the money got there. Loans may need a repayment plan.

Students from China, India, Nepal, the Philippines, Sri Lanka and Vietnam may be asked to use the Funds Transfer Scheme run by ANZ Bank New Zealand. Using it does not guarantee approval.

How to apply

1. Secure a place on a course.

2. Gather your documents.

3. Apply online at apply.immigration.govt.nz and pay the fee.

4. Wait for a decision and check your status online.

Approval in principle

If you apply from outside New Zealand you can ask for approval in principle and pay tuition afterwards. A tuition receipt is then required for the visa to be granted. INZ says AIP deadlines are usually 10 days (15 days for the Funds Transfer Scheme). Missing the deadline will likely lead to a decline.

Working while you study

Depending on your visa conditions, you can work up to 25 hours a week during study and full-time during scheduled holidays. Students aged 16 to 17 at tertiary level, or in Years 12 to 13 at school, need written permission from a parent or guardian and the education provider. Students aged 15 or younger cannot work.

FAQ

Do I have to pay all my tuition before I apply?

Not necessarily. Applicants outside New Zealand can request approval in principle and pay after it is issued. A tuition receipt is then required before the visa is granted.

Is a bank transfer screenshot enough to prove I paid tuition?

No. INZ does not accept bank transfer screenshots or receipts from education agents.

Can a family member support me?

Yes, through an acceptable sponsor or a guarantor using form INZ 1014. Individual sponsors must be a New Zealand citizen or resident.

Is the visa fee fixed at NZD 850?

INZ lists it as "from NZD $850" with no effective date. Check the current fee on the INZ site before you pay.

Does INZ publish an application deadline?

The visa pages do not state a fixed deadline. INZ advises applying at least 3 months before you travel. Check your provider's own course start and enrolment dates.