We grant visas for a given purpose and each one specifies the conditions the visa holder must meet.  Generally, people here on a work visa can’t study, and people here on a student visa can’t work.

However, people here on a visitor or work visa who want to undertake a course that’s longer than three months can apply to have a visa granted to allow them to study.  But they must not undertake that study before we grant them a student visa or vary the conditions of their existing visa.  Want to know how to apply?

To make an application…

We’ll need to see that the prospective student has:

• an offer of a place from a New Zealand education provider. Find out what this involves
  and
• paid the course fees.

They will also need to pay a fee when they apply for a change to their existing visa. Go to the fee finder to find out what they’ll need to pay.

A change of visa is not required…

Where a person is here on a work or visitor visa and wants to undertake just one course of study or training of not more than three calendar months’ duration in total per stay, or in each 12 month period if the visa to stay is valid for less than 24 months. They can undertake this study while still here under their visitor or work visa.