Many New Zealand visa options will allow you to study in the country. Depending on the length of your study program, you may not even have to apply for a student visa. And, if you meet certain requirements, you may even work or study while on holiday in New Zealand. Get to know your New Zealand study visa options.
Your New Zealand Visa Options.
Visitor Visas.
You may visit New Zealand on a visitor’s visa, to see family, friends, tour or do business. Before deciding where they want to study, some people visit New Zealand to check for opportunities themselves.
So, depending on your plans, you may enter New Zealand and stay for up to nine months. And, you may be allowed to study short-term programs for up to three months while you are on a holiday or visiting friends and family.
Occupational Registration Visitor Visa. If your goal is to obtain New Zealand occupational registration, you should apply for this visa. File an application if you
- are already in New Zealand
- have applied for permanent residence, and need more time to obtain your occupational registration.
Sponsored Students.
Some incoming international students are recipients of scholarships or bursaries. If you belong to one of the following, these are the New Zealand visa options for which you may apply.
Foreign Government Supported Student Visa. This is the student visa for beneficiaries of a foreign government loan or scholarship. This visa will allow the student to remain in New Zealand for up to four years.
MFAT-funded NZ Scholarship Student Visa. If you are funded by a New Zealand scholarship administered by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), you can apply to study full time on this visa.
Vocational Trainee Student Visa. If This visa is for trainees who are awarded a New Zealand Short Term Training Scholarship, funded through the New Zealand scholarships that are administered by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. To apply, you need a paid place at Manukau Polytechnic or evidence of your New Zealand Short Term Training Scholarship.
Are you looking for other options? Despite this year’s setback, Canada accepts almost half a million international students each year. Learn how to study in Canada.
Student Visas.
A student visa is a limited visa, granted for the main purpose of studying for more than three months. Consider one of these New Zealand visa options if you are not going to study on a scholarship by your government or New Zealand.
Fee Paying Student Visa. You may be able to study in New Zealand full-time for up to four years. You may also be able to work while you are studying.
Pathway Student Visa. With this visa, you may be able to study up to three consecutive programs in New Zealand with a single student visa. You may remain in the country for up to five years while completing your studies. You may also work while studying.
Exchange Student Visa. You must stay for up to four-years, enrolled in a full-time program of study while in an approved student exchange scheme.
Student and Trainee Work Visa. This visa is for students who need to do practical work experience to meet a study requirement and travel to New Zealand to complete it. Students who can apply for a Student and Trainee Work Visa include medical and dental trainees, religious trainees and apprentice jockeys.
Working Holiday Visa.
This New Zealand visa option is for young citizens of some countries that will allow you to work or study for a limited period while you are on holiday in New Zealand. You must be a citizen of one of the following countries to apply for a working holiday visa.
| Argentina | Austria | Belgium | Brazil |
| Canada | Chile | People’s Republic of China | Croatia |
| Czech Republic | Denmark | Estonia | Finland |
| France | Germany | Hong Kong Special Administrative Region | Hungary |
| Republic of Ireland | State of Israel | Italian Republic | Japan |
| Republic of Korea | Latvia | Lithuania | Luxembourg |
| Malaysia | Malta | Mexico | Netherlands |
| Norway | Peru | Philippines | Poland |
| Portugal | Slovakia | Slovenia | Spain |
| Sweden | Taiwan | Thailand | Turkey |
| United Kingdom | Uruguay | USA | Vietnam |
Singapore Work Exchange Programme Visa. This visa is for young citizens of Singapore who want to get some New Zealand work experience either before completing a course of study with a Singapore university or polytechnic or after graduating.
In addition to these New Zealand visa options, you should also check out useful information on how to prepare for your move to New Zealand and how to settle into student life in the country.
Other Student Visa Options
The following are New Zealand visa options for people under special circumstances.
Guardian of a Student Visitor Visa. If you are the parent or legal guardian of a child studying in New Zealand, you may visit the country to live with and care for your child.
Dependent Child Student Visa. The dependent children of some work and student visa holders may apply for a student visa. If you fall under this category, your dependent child may be allowed to go to a primary or secondary school in New Zealand.
Child of a Refugee Claimant Student Visa. If you are a refugee or a claimant for protection status, your school-aged children may be granted this visa to study at a primary or secondary school in New Zealand.
Succeed at studying abroad. Get the correct information about the international student pathway and visa application.
