A student visa specifies the amount of time a student from overseas can stay in New Zealand.  In most cases we grant a one-year, renewable visa.  Foreign students on courses longer than one year will need to reapply for each year of study.

If their course is based on the New Zealand academic year, and the student has paid their fees for the year, we may grant them a student visa that expires the following year.  For example, if they’re:

• a tertiary student we may grant a visa to 31 March of the following year
• a primary or secondary student we may grant a visa to 28 February of the following year.

The length of time partners and/or children of someone living either temporarily or permanently in New Zealand are able to stay depends on factors such as whether the partner or parent is a New Zealand citizen or residence class visa holder, or a temporary visa holder.

In all cases the student must first meet our general student requirements to study here. 

Students on a course that runs for less than three months can instead apply for a visitor visa. 

Can overseas students stay longer?

In some circumstances students from overseas can stay a little longer in New Zealand.  But they need to apply for permission to change their visa.  For example:

• if a student wants to undertake further study so they can meet the requirements for membership to a professional association,
  or
• if a student is about to complete their course of study and they’d like to remain in New Zealand for their graduation,

they need to apply for a new student visa, or where they’re not undertaking further study, either a visitor or work visa. 

Studying in New Zealand in particular skill areas may help students from overseas gain points that count towards qualifying for residence in New Zealand under our Skilled Migrant Category.