To study in New Zealand, international students will require a student visa. Students may not need a visa if they are:

• a New Zealand citizen, or
• the holder of a New Zealand residence class visa, or
• the holder of a valid Australian passport, or
• the holder of a current Australian Permanent Resident Visa, or
• the holder of a current Australian Resident Return Visa.

People on short courses

If the course or courses of study are no more than a total of three calendar months duration, and are approved or exempted by the NZQA, the student does not need a student visa, and can apply for a visitor visa if outside New Zealand, or commence study on a visitor visa if they are already in New Zealand.

If the student holds a multiple-year temporary visa (eg 24 months or longer) they can study one or more courses up to a total of three months in each of the years their visa is valid without needing a student visa or a variation of conditions.

School-age children

School-age visitor visa holders can attend a primary, intermediate, or secondary school for a single period of study of up to three months per calendar year provided the study finishes within the calendar year. They are not permitted to study in Term One of a school year if they undertook a single period of study in Term Four of the previous year while on a visitor visa.

If they are planning to attend for more than two weeks, or are paying fees, they must attend a school that is a signatory to the Ministry of Education's Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students.

People who cannot get a visa

In some circumstances a student from overseas may not be able to get a visa, and in others they may need a limited visa to study in New Zealand.