Your Student Visa in New Zealand
New Zealand gives students no separate residence permit. Your student visa (the Fee Paying Student Visa) is an eVisa: an electronic visa, with no sticker in your passport. It is your permission to live and study here. This page shows how to keep it valid and what to do after.
New ZealandNEW ZEALAND STUDENT VISA
Type: Student
ID#: Example
ID: Example
Status: Student
Example: Master's course
Example: University of Auckland
Example card only.
How Your Student Status Works in New Zealand
Your student visa conditions (rules) say how long you can stay, whether you can work, what and where you can study and whether you can travel in and out.
Visa Words Explained
The last day you can stay in New Zealand.
The last day you can enter New Zealand on this visa.
With multiple entries, you can come back as often as you like before this date.
Where Your Visa Is Recorded
You can see your eVisa and its conditions in Immigration Online, on the INZ website. Banks and health care providers can view it too, only if you give them permission.
Key Documents to Keep
eVisa
Your student visa, recorded electronically by INZ. Print the letter and carry it when you travel.
Offer of place
The letter from your school or university that your visa is based on.
IRD number
Your New Zealand tax number, from the tax office (Inland Revenue). You need it if you work.
Insurance policy
Proof of the cover your school or university accepts.
Breaking Your Visa Conditions
Student Visa Conditions
Study your course
Attend the course on your visa, unless you have a good reason to be away.
Make progress
Pass your courses. Keep good marks.
Work only as allowed
Most students can work up to 25 hours a week while classes run, if their visa allows.
Keep insurance
Keep medical and travel insurance that your school or university accepts until your visa ends. PhD students do not need insurance.
Keep your passport valid
If your passport is due to end sooner, your visa ends sooner too. Renew your passport early and tell INZ.
Leave or renew on time
Leave before your visa expires, or apply for a new visa first.
Visas You May Apply For
During and after your studies, these are the visas most students apply for.
Key Time Limits
Check your visa end date
Get your new offer or finish your course
Apply online before expiry
Wait legally
Application Types
Post-Study Work Visa
A visa to work after you finish your studies. You can stay and work for up to 3 years. How long depends on what you studied.
Key Requirements:
- A degree at level 7 or higher (a bachelor's degree or above), studied full-time in New Zealand for at least 30 weeks
- At least NZD 5,000 (New Zealand dollars) for your stay
- Good health and good character
- The visa fee starts at NZD 1,670
New Fee Paying Student Visa
For a new course or more years of study.
Key Requirements:
- A new offer of place, or proof you are still enrolled
- Proof of your marks and attendance
- Course fees and living money, as for your first visa
Short-Term Graduate Work Visa
A visa that opens on 16 November 2026. Eligible graduates get up to 6 months of open work rights (the right to work for any employer) to look for work.
Change of visa conditions
You cannot change your course or place of study without asking INZ first.
Steps for Your New Visa
Check your visa end date
Visa Expiry is the last day you can stay in New Zealand.
Get your new offer or finish your course
A new course needs a new offer of place. After study, check if you can get a Post-Study Work Visa (a visa to work after you finish).
Apply online before expiry
Apply in Immigration Online while your visa is still valid.
Wait legally
If your visa ends while you wait, INZ normally gives you a short visa to stay legally.
How to Apply Again
You apply for every new visa online.
Main Steps
Check your conditions and dates
Know when your visa ends.
Look at Visa Expiry and Expiry Date Travel on your eVisa.
Gather your documents
Collect what the new visa needs.
Medical documents must be under 3 months old. Police certificates must be under 6 months old.
Apply in Immigration Online
Apply before your visa expires.
Upload your documents and pay the fee.
Stay legally
Keep following your visa conditions.
INZ normally gives an Interim Visa if your visa ends while you wait.
Get your new eVisa
INZ emails you its decision.
Check the new conditions carefully.
Applying for Another Student Visa
Confirm your new study
Get a new offer of place, or confirmation that you are still enrolled.
Gather your documents
Marks, attendance, tuition receipt and money proof.
Apply online before expiry
Apply in Immigration Online while your visa is valid.
Common New Visas
| From Status | To Status | Requirements | Processing Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student Visa | Post-Study Work Visa | Eligible New Zealand qualification, applied in time, at least NZD 5,000 in your bank account | 8 in 10 decisions within 3 weeks | Level 7 degree or higher: any job, anywhere in New Zealand. |
| Student Visa | Short-Term Graduate Work Visa | Eligible graduates | - | Opens 16 November 2026. |
| Student Visa | New Student Visa | Offer of place, marks and attendance, money proof | 8 in 10 decisions within 7 weeks | For a new course or more years. |
Documents for Your New Student Visa
When you apply again from inside New Zealand, INZ asks for these.
New Student Visa
Passport
Valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave New Zealand.
Offer of place or confirmation of enrolment
Returning students give confirmation of enrolment.
Marks and attendance
Transcripts, attendance records or a letter from your school or university.
Tuition receipt
Proof you paid course fees for 1 year, or for the whole course if it is shorter than 1 year.
Living money
NZD 20,000 (New Zealand dollars) for each year of study.
Post-Study Work Visa
Passport
A copy of your passport.
Proof of your qualification
Your qualification, your transcript, or a letter from your school or university saying you finished.
Bank statements
In your name, showing at least NZD 5,000 in total for your stay.
Photo
1 photo if you apply online.
Visa Decision Times
These are how long decisions usually take.
Steps of a New Application
Prepare
Gather your documents before your visa ends.
Key Activities:
- New offer of place or proof of enrolment
- Marks and attendance records
- Money proof
Submit
Apply online while your visa is still valid.
Key Activities:
- Apply and pay in Immigration Online
Review
INZ checks your documents.
Key Activities:
- INZ may ask for more documents
Interim Visa
You can stay legally while INZ decides.
Key Activities:
- Normally given if your visa ends while you wait
Decision
You get your new eVisa.
Key Activities:
- INZ emails you
- Your new eVisa shows your conditions
What Can Slow Your Application
Missing documents
Applications without all documents take longer.
Poor attendance or progress
You must explain it. INZ can still decline.
Health or police checks
INZ may ask for a chest X-ray or police certificate after you apply.
Decision Times
Fastest Cases
Typical Cases
Tips to Keep Your Visa Safe
A few habits help you keep your visa safe.
Good Habits
Check your eVisa
Know your conditions and dates.
Visa Expiry is your last day in New Zealand.
Attend and progress
Your new visa needs good attendance and marks.
If you are sick, ask your doctor for a medical certificate to show why you missed class.
Work within the rules
Check your visa conditions.
Most students: up to 25 hours a week while classes run.
New passport
Tell INZ when you get a new passport.
INZ sends a new eVisa letter.
Online Tools
Immigration New Zealand
- Immigration Online: see your eVisa and conditions
- Let a bank or health care provider view your visa, if you allow it
Common Mistakes
Plan Ahead
Apply for your new visa well before your visa expires.
Common Questions About Your Student Visa in New Zealand
Short answers about keeping your student visa valid.
Frequently Asked Questions
Useful Links
Need More Help?
Ask your university's international office first, or contact Immigration New Zealand (INZ).
Emergency Contacts in New Zealand
For urgent help, contact your university first.
- Your university's international student support team
- Healthline in New Zealand (free health advice, open all day and night): 0800 611 116
- Immigration New Zealand, through its online contact page
Complete Guide to New Zealand
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