New Zealand Student Visa

Part-time work (English language students)

You may be allowed to work for up to 20 hours each week while you have a valid Student Visa, if your course meets certain conditions.

Terms of the Student Visa with work rights are as follows. Students can work part-time if all of the following conditions apply:

• Students must be studying on a full-time course
• Program of study must be a minimum of 6 months or longer
• We believe the main purpose of your study is to improve your English language
• Students hold an International English Language Testing System certificate with an overall band score of 5.0, that's no more than 2 years old - you'll need to provide this with your application
• Students may then work for 20 hours per week
• Application details and forms: http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migrant/stream/study/application

Travellers can study on a visitor visa only if they wish to stay in New Zealand for less than 3 months and the main intention for visiting is to have a holiday.

Certain countries are included on a visa-waiver list. Travellers from these countries are entitled to enter New Zealand without obtaining a visa if they are staying less than 3 months. They are also allowed to study within that period.

To view more information and to see if your country is on the visa-waiver list, please visit http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migrant/stream/visit/ 

You can apply for your New Zealand Student Visa online, please visit http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migrant/stream/study/application/

INZ has offshore offices, listed here: http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migrant/general/aboutnzis/contactus/

If you are not able to visit these offices you can also try the nearest New Zealand embassy to your country. For assistance refer to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: http://www.mfat.govt.nz/Embassies/1-NZ-representatives-overseas/index.php  

If you are applying for a student visa you should give yourself 1 - 2 months until your desired starting dates, the processing time for off-shore visa applications is between 4 - 6 weeks

Yes, we need to have a start date in order to process an application. Enough time should be given for your visa to be processed and accommodation secured.

You can't get a student visa without proof of a start and end date (to determine whether the length of your course is valid for the student visa).

No. All visas are issued by the New Zealand Immigration Service or Embassy/Consulate abroad

Estudyabroad does not issue your visa and therefore cannot confirm for how long it will be valid. Visas are typically given for the length of your course + up to 4 weeks. However this is dependent on providing the Immigration service with the proper documents. You should confirm this information with your local New Zealand Embassy/Consulate http://www.mfat.govt.nz

Estudyabroad is able to provide you with the documents to prove you are a confirmed student at our school (Letter of Acceptance and Receipt of paid tuition fees). However, prior to arrival, it is the student's sole responsibility to complete the visa application and provide the supporting documents.

Once you are at Estudyabroad, we will be glad to help you change your visa or apply for a visa extension if necessary.

If denied your visa, you should ask the Consular Officer for the reason of denial before you leave the Embassy. You have the right to request the denial in writing as well. If no reason or a reason due to your personal submission is stated, Estudyabroad will be unlikely to be able to assist you further. In most cases, the government's decision is final and there is little Estudyabroad can do to change their decision.

All fees paid will be refunded on receipt of written notification and proof of visa rejection prior to your start date.

Yes, if you would like to continue your studies with Estudyabroad, our Student Services team will be glad to assist you with your Student Visa extension. You should notify Student Services of your plans to extend at least 4 weeks prior to your last day of study or 4 weeks before your current visa expires.

New Zealand Bank accounts
A student can provide evidence that they have funds to support their own stay (Equivalent of NZD$1250/month for Student visa applicants and return flight ticket or evidence of funds available to pay for outward travel (additional NZD$1000).

The student will need to provide three months backdated bank statements, showing transactions of deposits and withdrawals. Please note any amounts over NZD$300 cash deposits will need to be explained.

Personal Overseas Bank accounts A student can provide evidence that they have funds to support their own stay.

The student will need to provide three months backdated bank statements, showing transactions of deposits and withdrawals. The bank statement needs to be translated into English. If using multiple accounts, a letter of explanation should also be provided and proof student has access to this account (usually a credit/debit card).

Estudyabroad recommends that all students arriving into the country carry with them proper documentation as stated on NZIS website: www.immigration.govt.nz.

You can change your start date any time before entering N.Z. Simply contact Estudyabroad to confirm your new start date as soon as you know about the change. Please note: If the start date changes it is important the end date does not exceed the expiry date of the student visa, otherwise a new visa will be required.

Estudyabroad will mail you a revised Letter of Acceptance to show new study dates. A failure to notify Estudyabroad about these changes can cause problems for you at the Port of Entry and/or New Zealand Embassy. If you want to begin before your start date, this is acceptable. Simply go to the school and let them know you want to start early.

The Student Visa issued to you by N.Z.I.S will notify you of the dates your Student Visa is valid. You should adhere to these dates.

If you travel to N.Z. after your start date, you will probably face problems at the Port of Entry, since it appears you failed to meet the requirement of reporting to the school by your start date. To prevent problems at the Port of Entry, you should contact Estudyabroad and ask that we postpone your start date if you are unable to arrive before your start date. At that time, Estudyabroad will mail you a revised Letter of Acceptance with a postponed start date.

Please note: If the start date changes it is important the end date does not exceed the expiry date of the student visa, otherwise a new visa will be required.

In general, you must show the Port of Entry Officer the following documents. If these documents are missing or incomplete, you may be detained, questioned or denied entry altogether:

A valid (non-expired) passport
A valid (non-expired) Student Visa (if applicable)
Bank statement
Proof of outbound travel (if arriving on a visitor's visa)
Documents from Estudyabroad:
    - Letter of Acceptance
    - Receipt

For more information checkout the NZIS website: http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migrant/stream/study/imacceptedtellmemore/arrivinginnewzealand/

Students on a Student Visa must study full time. Full time study is 21 hours of English tuition per week (Intensive English, English for Business, IELTS Supplementary, Cambridge Exam preparation courses).

If you do not meet eStudyabroad's full time study requirements while studying with a Student Visa, eStudyabroad will be obliged to notify NZIS of your status and you risk falling out of legal status with NZIS.

Working Holiday visas have different eligibility requirements depending on your country of origin, and yearly quotas.

To find out how many places are available and if you are eligible for the scheme, please visit http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migrant/stream/work/workingholiday/