To be eligible to come to New Zealand to study, there are a number of conditions students from overseas need to meet before they get here and others they must meet during their stay.

Before students get here…

To enter New Zealand students from overseas need:

• to have an offer of a place from a New Zealand education provider such as a school polytechnic or university
• to provide evidence that they’ve arranged accommodation through the education provider or through another person
• a guardian who is eligible to accompany them, if required 
• to have an acceptable standard of health and be of good character. And if their stay is longer than two years, they’ll need to provide police certificates and undergo health checks
• a passport that’s valid for at least three months past the date they are to leave New Zealand
• proof that they have the ability to leave New Zealand once they’ve completed their study
• proof that:
  • they’ve paid any course fees that they’re required to pay
    or
  • they’re exempt from paying fees
    or
  • they have a scholarship or an award that covers their fee 
• proof that they have enough money to support themselves during their stay
• to have the right visa for their visit.

While students are here…

If an overseas student is granted a student visa they need to meet certain conditions during their stay:

• they must attend the place of study noted in their visa. However, they may apply to us to change their course of study and/or education provider. Want to know more about changing courses and/or education providers?
• we’ll want to see the student is making progress in their study – that they’re passing the course
• they may only undertake work allowed by their student visa
• they must keep within New Zealand’s laws 
• they must only stay in New Zealand for the time allowed by their visa
• they must be accompanied by an eligible guardian, if required.

If a student from overseas breaks any of these conditions they may become liable for deportation.