Immigration New Zealand has improved the process for deciding student visa applications by giving their staff more efficient assessment tools. As a result, they can process student visa applications faster, and let applicants know the outcome of their application sooner.
There has been a 20% increase in student visa applications compared to the peak period in 2022/2023, and they are also anticipating high volumes of student visa applications from February to March 2024, as students who are already in New Zealand apply for second or subsequent visas. The cost of the New Zealand student visa starts from NZD $375. In 80% of cases, the processing time for a New Zealand Student Visa is within 6 weeks.
For students looking to study in New Zealand, there’s the Fee Paying Student Visa. One has to apply for a Student visa to study full-time in New Zealand. One will need to pay the full cost of their courses and enroll with an approved education provider.
With this visa you can study full-time at the course stated on your visa — this includes schools, tertiary (study after secondary school) and English language study. Student visa conditions require you to attend the place of study endorsed on your visa. You can also work part-time up to 20 hours a week while studying or full-time in the holidays, depending on your visa conditions.
If you want to bring your partner or children, they can apply for visas based on their relationship with you. Your student visa is normally for the same length as the study you have paid for. It may be issued for a shorter time if your passport expires before the end date of your study.
You can apply for this visa if you are a distance learning or correspondence student studying outside New Zealand and you must visit New Zealand for more than 3 months to attend your education provider, for example, to do practical study or sit exams. Your ability to speak or write English is not a student visa application requirement.