If a person has been studying with an educational institution through distance learning, it may be that the institution requires them to come to New Zealand to undertake practical study, sit exams, or to meet some other requirement.

If the overseas student needs to stay longer than three months for these purposes they’ll need a student visa.  If their stay is for less than three months they can instead apply for a visitor visa. 

 

For either application we’ll need to see proof that the student:

• is a distance education student
  and
• has an offer of a place at an educational institution if they are in New Zealand for more than three months
  and
• has paid the course fees.