Students who wish to change their course of study and/or education provider must first obtain a variation of conditions (or a further student visa).

Students who change their course of study and/or education provider before obtaining authority to do so, will be in breach of their visa conditions. Applicants who breach their visa conditions may not ordinarily be granted further visas (or a variation of conditions) and may be liable for deportation.

Requirements 

To be eligible the student must:

• meet student category requirements (see U3.1), including:
  • have an offer of a place of study,
  • be exempt or have paid course fees,
  • have a guarantee of accommodation
• meet the conditions of their visa (see U2.1), including:
  • have the means to maintain themselves in New Zealand,
  • evidence of outward travel,
  • attend the place of study or training endorsed on their student visa.
• remain a bona fide applicant (see E5.1).

To be granted a further student visa or a variation of conditions …

In addition to meeting the above requirements, an immigration officer must be satisfied that the original student visa would have been issued for the proposed course and/or education provider.

The student may be required to provide evidence to demonstrate that they meet the above student category requirements.

How does a student apply for a variation of conditions to their student visa?