Visa Options for Studying in New Zealand – Students Visa

The beautiful country, New Zealand has now been considered as the land of opportunities by skilled workers and students alike. Many professionals decide to migrate to New Zealand because of its several job opportunities and a peaceful culture.

New Zealand also attracts many students from around the world to pursue their education at a New Zealand university.

New Zealand has been ranked as the world’s second most peaceful country. If you are an interested student willing to study in New Zealand, this article will address all your concerns. In this article, you will learn about the education system, courses, fees and visa options for international students in New Zealand.

Study Options in New Zealand

You can take up a bachelor’s degree, a certificate course, a diploma, a Doctoral degree, the English language, a Graduate degree, a Master’s degree, an MBA, a Foundation and a Postgraduate program at a University in New Zealand.

There are also many interesting study areas that you can choose according to your educational relevance or interest. Technology, agriculture, Engineering, Business and Management and Digital Design are some popular programs that students often opt for.

Places to Study in New Zealand

As an international student of New Zealand, you can study in Universities, institutes of Technology and Polytechnics (ITP), Private Training Establishments (PTEs), English language Program Providers and Schools.

Visa options for International Students

If you want to pursue a full-time course in New Zealand, you will need a student Visa with you while moving to the country.

Depending on your visa condition, you may be able to work full-time over the holidays.

To be eligible for the New Zealand Student Visa, you will need to meet the following eligibility:

• You must have an offer from the university or any other recognised educational provider. The offer states that you are welcome to the university as a student and can avail yourself of the education there.
• You will need to present evidence that you have enough funds to pay your tuition fees. Generally, this fee is much higher for international students than for New Zealand citizens.
• You must have your valid passport and a passport-size photograph.
• You will need to present proof of funds of at least $15,000 per year, which ensures that you will be able to cover your expenses while living in New Zealand.
• You will need to show a copy of your air ticket to your home and provide sufficient proof of funds to purchase one if necessary.
• You will need to provide a guarantee of your accommodation if you are below the age of 18.
• Present your Visa application fee.
• You may also be asked to provide medical and police clearance.

Pathway Student Visa

If you want to take up multiple courses in New Zealand, you may want to choose the Pathway Student Visa option. As a Pathway Student Visa holder, you can take up to three consecutive courses for up to five years with one or more education providers.

With the Pathway Student Visa, you can study up to 3 courses, one after the other, on a single student visa. You can also work part-time up to 20 hours per week while studying and full-time during holidays.

Things to Note about the Pathway Student Visa

In the Pathway Student Visa, you cannot include your dependent partner or children. However, they can apply for their visas with your relation. The Pathway student visa is enough to complete your educational plans in New Zealand.

Eligibility Criteria for Pathway Student Visa

Like all other Visa options, you will need to meet specific criteria to be eligible for the pathway Student Visa. These eligibility criteria are:

• Identity: You must provide a valid identification proof of yourself. This includes two photographs and a copy of your passport certificate.
• Health: You must be in sound health and prove this to the New Zealand government by providing your medical clearance certificate.
• Character: A police clearance certificate to prove that you have never had any criminal records earlier in your country of origin.
• The Offer Letter: You must show your offer letter, given to you by the institution where you are applying for education.
• Funds: You must provide proof of sufficient funds to ensure that you can sustain yourself in New Zealand and cover your expenses.

Pathway Student Visa Conditions

You need to have an entry permit from the New Zealand government to visit the country.

You may be refused entry to the country if:

• You do not meet the set character requirements.
• Your circumstances have changed since you were granted the visa.
• You refuse to let your photographs be taken or provide a fingerprint and iris scan when requested by the authorities.
• Unable to provide proof of funds.

Travelling

If you want to travel in and out of New Zealand on multiple bases, you must have multiple entry travel conditions to return to New Zealand.

Funds

You must demonstrate sufficient funds to prove that you can support yourself while living in New Zealand.

Medical and Travel Insurance

You must maintain your medical and travel insurance while travelling to New Zealand. The New Zealand government will not be responsible for your medical and travel insurance expenses.

Work

As a Pathway student visa holder, you can work up to 20 hours per week in New Zealand and full-time during holidays.

Expiry of Pathway Students’ Visa

Generally, the visa expiry dates are printed on the Visa label or included in a visa letter.

Post Study Work visa

Students typically apply for post-study work experience after completing their education and seek practical knowledge related to their professional field.

With a post-study work visa, you can work for any employer for up to one year. You can also apply for a two-year post-study work visa (employer-assisted) if you have full-time work in the same area as your qualification.

Things to know about the Post Study Work visa

The duration of a post-study work visa is 12 months. With this visa, you can work for any employer and work in almost any job in New Zealand. You can apply for this visa only once. You cannot include your dependent partner or children with this visa. However, they can file their visa with your relation.

Eligibility Criteria for Post Study Work visa

Like all other Visa options, you will need to meet specific criteria to be eligible for the Post Study Work Visa. These eligibility criteria are:

• Identity: You must provide a valid identification proof of yourself. This includes two photographs and a copy of your passport certificate.
• Health: You must be in sound health, and to testify to this, you need to provide your medical clearance certificate.
• Character: A police clearance certificate to prove that you have never had any criminal records earlier in your country of origin.
• Funds: You must provide proof of sufficient funds to ensure that you can sustain yourself in New Zealand and cover your expenses.
• New Zealand Education: You must have completed an accepted qualification in New Zealand.
• Work Visa Application: You must apply for the work visa within 3 months after the students’ visa expires or 6 months if you were granted a visa to complete your doctorate.

Pathway Post Study Work Visa Conditions

You need to have an entry permit from the New Zealand government to visit the country.

You may be refused entry to the country if:

• You do not meet the set character requirements.
• Your circumstances have changed since you were granted the visa.
• You refuse to let your photographs be taken or provide your fingerprint and iris scan if asked for them.
• Unable to provide proof of funds.

Study

You can study for up to 3 months in the 12 months.

Travelling

If you want to travel in and out of New Zealand on multiple bases, you must have multiple entry travel conditions to return to New Zealand.

Funds

You must demonstrate sufficient funds to prove that you can support yourself while living in New Zealand.

Medical and Travel Insurance

You must maintain your medical and travel insurance while travelling to New Zealand. The New Zealand government will not be responsible for your medical and travel insurance expenses.

Work

As a post-study work visa holder, you can work in almost any job for any employer in New Zealand.

Expiry of Pathway Students’ Visa

Generally, the visa expiry dates are printed on the Visa label or included in a visa letter. You must leave New Zealand before your Visa expires.

Cost of Study for International Students in New Zealand

The cost of studying in New Zealand for international students is pretty high, and there are different fee structures for various courses.

• Fees for arts or social sciences range from NZ$20,000 a year.
• Courses in science and engineering can cost between NZ$25,000 and NZ$30,000 per year.
• Dentistry and medicine tend to be the most expensive degrees – NZ$75,000 per year.

Unfortunately, there are few scholarships available for international students studying in New Zealand, and those that are offered are typically for PhD students.

Limitations of a Student’s Visa

• Students can work in New Zealand while on a study permit for only 40 hours per fortnight.
• There are no medical or social benefits. You will need to obtain an overseas health cover.
• After completing the course, the government offers a work permit but only for one or two years, depending on the pursued course.
• Individuals with a study permit or a work permit cannot apply directly for citizenship.
• The pay scale is not as high as that of holders of permanent residence status.
• Some educational programs are mainly run for New Zealand citizens and permanent residents only.
• Cannot avail of any loan from the New Zealand government
• Individuals are to pay the international student tuition fee, which is very high as compared to New Zealand citizens or permanent residence status holders
• Individuals on a study permit can bring their dependents with them, but the dependents cannot work, but only study 20 hours per week
• Individuals will have to secure an IELTS overall band score of 5.5, 46 in TOEFL and 42 in PTE-Academic

Other Visa Option

Suppose you are an experienced worker who has pursued an occupation for one or two years that is relevant to your education. In that case, you may be eligible to apply for permanent residence. Permanent residence is the most sought-after entry to New Zealand by many skilled workers and eligible students.

You are required to meet the permanent residence criteria to be eligible for a permanent residence status. After being a permanent resident status holder, you are given all the rights that a normal New Zealand citizen enjoys. This includes the exemption of international students’ fees from your tuition fee. This is one of the best Visa options for studying in New Zealand.

Benefits of Permanent Residency

• As a permanent residence status holder, you can study in New Zealand without limitation as if you were on a study permit visa.
• You are entitled to all medical and social benefits except for voting rights until you choose to apply for New Zealand citizenship.
• After completing your course, you can choose your work location. You can hunt for jobs for yourself and work and live for an indefinite period in New Zealand.
• After completing 3 years of stay in New Zealand, you can easily apply for New Zealand citizenship.
• Since you are already skilled and hold experience in your profession, you will be earning anywhere between NZD8,000 and NZD12,000 as your monthly income.
• As a permanent resident, you can participate in or take up any educational programs run by the New Zealand government.
• You can request a loan from a New Zealand bank at 0% interest.
• You do not have to pay for any international student fees for the course you pursue. You will be paying the regular tuition fee as a New Zealand citizen would.
• As a permanent resident, you can bring your spouse and children along with you. Moreover, if your spouse meets the eligibility criteria, she or he can also work in New Zealand on a full-time basis.