New Zealand · Student Visa
Student visa categories, eligibility, required documents, work rights, and application steps.
AI-drafted, editorially reviewed. Confirm specifics with the official authority.
International students need a student visa to study in New Zealand, based on an offer of place from an approved education provider plus proof of funds, and for longer courses health and travel insurance. The work rights are unusually clear: student visa holders can usually work part-time during term and full-time in scheduled breaks. Immigration New Zealand decides applications.
International students need a student visa to study in New Zealand, based on an offer of place from an approved education provider, proof of funds and (for longer courses) health and travel insurance. Student visa holders can usually work part-time during term and full-time in scheduled breaks. Immigration New Zealand (INZ) decides applications.
- A student visa is based on an offer of place from an approved provider, plus proof of funds.
- Student visa holders can usually work part-time in term and full-time in scheduled breaks.
- Longer courses generally require health and travel insurance.
- 1
Get an offer of place from an approved provider
The visa is built on an offer of place from an approved education provider. Confirm the provider's approval status before paying fees.
- 2
Prepare proof of funds
You must show funds to support yourself for the course. Prepare evidence in the form INZ accepts rather than an informal statement.
- 3
Arrange insurance for longer courses
Longer courses generally require health and travel insurance. Confirm what your course length triggers before you fly.
- 4
Apply to Immigration New Zealand
INZ decides student visa applications. Submit with your offer of place, funds evidence and insurance where required.
- 5
Use your work rights correctly
Student visa holders can usually work part-time during term and full-time in scheduled breaks. The break entitlement is what most students underuse — check the conditions on your visa.
- Provider confirmed as approved by INZ
- Offer of place received
- Proof of funds prepared in an accepted form
- Health and travel insurance arranged if the course requires it
- Application submitted to INZ
- Term-time and break work rights understood
- Conditions on the granted visa read
- Immigration New Zealand — study
Official student-visa information.
Frequently asked questions
How much can I work on a New Zealand student visa?
Student visa holders can usually work part-time during term and full-time in scheduled breaks. The full-time break entitlement is the part students most often overlook, so check the conditions printed on your own visa.
Do I need insurance for a New Zealand student visa?
Longer courses generally require health and travel insurance. Confirm what your specific course length triggers before travelling, since the requirement is tied to duration rather than applying uniformly.
What is an offer of place and who can issue one?
It is the document from an approved education provider confirming you have a place on a course, and it underpins the visa application. Confirm the provider is approved before paying fees, because an offer from a non-approved provider will not support a student visa.
Government portals
- govt.nz — New Zealand government services portal
- Immigration New Zealand — Visas, work/student visas, and residence
- Inland Revenue (IRD) — Income tax, GST, and the IRD number
- business.govt.nz — Company registration, employment, and compliance