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Student Visa Info

• WHAT IS A STUDENT VISA?
• WHAT IS A STUDENT PERMIT?
• WHO NEEDS A STUDENT VISA?
• WHO NEEDS A STUDENT PERMITS?
• WHAT COURSE MAY I STUDY?
• CAN I STUDY PART TIME?
• WHO DOES NOT NEED A PERMIT OR VISA TO STUDY IN NEW ZEALAND?
• HOW DO I APPLY FOR A STUDENT VISA OR PERMIT?
• DO I NEED A MEDICAL CERTIFICATE?
• MEDICAL INSURANCE
• CAN I BE REFUSED A VISA OR PERMIT?
• CAN MY VISA OR PERMIT BE REVOKED?
• WHERE CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION AND ADVICE?

Immigration

Full details of visa and permit requirements, advice on rights to employment in New Zealand while studying, and reporting requirements are available through New Zealand Immigration Service, and can be viewed on their website at www.immigration.govt.nz.

All students wishing to take a New Zealand education programme lasting longer than 12 weeks need a student visa to travel here. The following information has been taken from the New Zealand Immigration Service, and explains who needs a visa and how to obtain one.

What Is A Student Visa?

A Student Visa is:

• an endorsement you need in your passport to facilitate your travel to New Zealand for the purpose of study; and
• an endorsement you need in your passport if you are in New Zealand and wish to travel overseas and return to New Zealand for the purpose of study; and
• an endorsement showing you have permission to travel to New Zealand and may be granted a Student Permit when you arrive; and
• able to be issued for a single (one journey) or multiple (more than one journey) entry.

What Is A Student Permit?

A Student Permit is:

• an endorsement in your passport, which allows you to study in New Zealand. It will state the expiry date and give the conditions of your permit.

The conditions of your Student Permit will include details about:

• your course of study; and
• the educational institution; and
• the location of the institution in New Zealand; and
• any other restrictions (such as not being allowed to work).

Who Needs A Student Visa?

You will need to apply for a Student Visa if:

• you are outside of New Zealand, and are coming to New Zealand to study full time for longer than three months (Your spouse or partner and children who wish to accompany you may apply for a Visitor or Student Visa).

Potential students entering as visitors to New Zealand from visa free countries may apply for a Student Permit once an educational institute has accepted them.

Who Needs A Student Permit?

You may apply for a Student Permit if:

• you are a visitor or a worker in New Zealand and wish to study full time; or
• you need to extend your Student Permit for further study or training; or
• your spouse is in New Zealand on another type of temporary permit i.e., Work Permit; or
• you are a child and wish to study while your family is in New Zealand.

What Courses May I Study?

Your course of study and educational institution must be approved for foreign students.

The educational institution will advise you if their courses are approved.

If you have any queries you will need to contact the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA).

Can I Study Part Time?

If you are a visitor or worker in New Zealand and wish to study part time, you may apply for a Variation of Conditions to study.

You will need to show evidence that you:

• are enrolled in the course; and
• have paid the fees for non New Zealand students; and
• have paid the Variation of Conditions fee.

Who Does Not Need A Permit Or Visa To Study In New Zealand?

You do not need a visa or permit to study in New Zealand if you are:

• a New Zealand citizen or a New Zealand Resident Permit holder; or
• an Australian citizen or an Australian resident who holds a current Australian resident return visa; or
• one of a group of people who are exempt from the requirement to hold a permit to be in New Zealand; or
• studying a course of no more than three months (while on a valid visitor permit); or
• a holder of a Limited Purpose Permit granted for the express purpose of attending a course of study or training; or
• a holder of another type of temporary permit of which you have varied the conditions of your permit to allow you to undertake your course of study or training.

How Do I Apply For A Student Visa Or Permit?

Student Visa and Permit requirements are found on the Application to Study in New Zealand form found at http://www.immigration.govt.nz/

Do I Need A Medical Certificate?

You must be of an acceptable standard of health. This is to ensure that you are:

• not likely to be a danger to public health; and
• not likely to be a burden on the health services; and
• fit for the purposes of entry.

Studying in New Zealand for between six months and one year?

You may also need to provide a completed Temporary Entry X-ray Certificate (NZIS 1096) to show you have been screened for tuberculosis (TB).

Studying in New Zealand for more than one year?

You will need to complete a medical examination and a medical and X-ray certificate.

Pregnant women and children under the age of 11 years are not required to submit X-ray certificates unless a special report is required.

For full details on immigration health requirements, see the Health Requirements Leaflet (NZIS 1121).

Medical Insurance

Most students are not entitled to publicly funded health services while in New Zealand unless they are a:

• resident or citizen of Australia; or
• national of the United Kingdom in New Zealand; or
• holder of a temporary permit that is valid for two years or more.
• For advice on eligibility and/or entitlements, please refer to the Ministry of Health web site.

If you do not belong to one of these special categories and you receive medical treatment during your visit, you will be liable for the full costs of that treatment.

It is compulsory that you have medical insurance for the duration of your stay in New Zealand.

Can I Be Refused A Visa Or Permit?

You can be refused a visa or permit if:

• you do not meet the entry requirements; or
• you are not a genuine applicant for a study visa or permit; or
• you are a person to whom Section 7 of the Immigration Act 1987 applies and you do not have an exemption.

Can my Visa or Permit be Revoked?

Student permits are issued to enable a person to undertake a particular course of study at a specified institution. Failure to do this may constitute a breach of the permit conditions, in which case the permit may be revoked. Educational institutions wishing to report students who have breached these conditions can do so using the formprovided.

Where Can I Get More Information And Advice?

You can get more information from:

• New Zealand Immigration Service Application Forms
• National Contact Centre
• New Zealand Diplomatic and Consular Offices
• New Zealand Immigration Service Branch Offices
• New Zealand Immigration Service Operational Manual

You can get more information about education in New Zealand from:

• The Ministry of Education
• TeachNZ
• New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA)
• Education New Zealand