What you need before you apply

To qualify for a student visa, you'll need:

• to have been accepted into a course at an education institute approved by the Ministry of Education or NZQA
• money for your tuition fees, or proof that they’ll be covered by a scholarship
• proof you have enough money to live on while you’re in NZ
• a ticket out of NZ, or enough money to buy one.

Find institutions or schools

Supporting yourself financially

To support yourself while you study in NZ, you need to show you have one of the following:

• NZD$1,250 for each month if your programme of study is less than 9 months
• NZD$15,000 for each year if your programme of study is longer than 9 months
• a scholarship, such as a New Zealand Aid Programme scholarship, or
• a sponsor or family member who's agreed to accept financial responsibility for you while you're in NZ.

New Zealand Aid Programme Scholarships

Insurance and health

You'll also need:

• approved medical and travel insurance, and
• to be healthy and of good character.

Contact your education provider to get help with arranging medical and travel insurance.

Students under 13

If you're under 13, you need to have a parent or legal guardian with you while you're here.

Guardian of a Student Visitor Visa

Fees for domestic and international students

Most people who come to NZ to study are classed as international students and need to pay full fees.

If you qualify as a domestic student, your fees are usually less — but you'll still need a student visa. You're considered a domestic student instead of an international student if, for example:

• you're a PhD student who enrolled after April 2005
• you're studying at primary or secondary school under a government-approved exchange programme
• you're studying at primary or secondary school in NZ because your parent or legal guardian is here on a Work visa.

Definition of a domestic student — in schools or at tertiary level