Improvements to the Pathway Student Visa to better support international students

The Government is making new changes to the Pathway Student Visa (PSV). This will give international students more flexibility in their study plans.

The PSV lets international students study more than 1 course on the same visa, as long as the courses are part of a planned study pathway. For example, a student might move from school or English language study into further higher-level study. 

The current visa works well for students with clear study plans. These changes will give more flexibility to students planning their studies, especially those whose plans become clearer over time. This includes more:

• options for secondary school students
• study pathways at lower levels, and
• time to complete English language studies.

Together, these changes mean students can keep their options open for longer and choose from a wider range of study pathways.

What is changing

From Monday 20 July, there will be changes to the Pathway Student Visa (PSV).

• The PSV will provide secondary school students (Years 12 and 13) with more flexibility if their plans change. PSV conditions will only specify the tertiary qualification and the education provider, giving students more options if they change disciplines without having to apply for another student visa.
• The PSV will provide more study pathways at lower levels. Students will be able to use the PSV for study pathways that lead to, or move between, the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF) levels 1 to 4. This includes English language study, foundation programmes, and vocational certificates.
• The PSV will provide more time to complete English language study. Some first-time PSV holders moving to NZQCF levels 1 to 8 will be able to spend up to 30 weeks studying English before starting their next qualification. This is an increase from 20 weeks. 

Changing your specified discipline

Previously, PSV conditions specified both the qualification and the discipline a student intended to study, for example, “Bachelor of Science at University X”. This meant that if a student decided to change disciplines after finishing secondary school, like switching to a Bachelor of Arts, they would need to apply for a new student visa before they could begin their new course.

From 20 July, PSV conditions for students progressing from school to tertiary study will be more flexible. Instead of specifying a discipline, the visa will only state the qualification type and education provider, for example, “Bachelor’s degree at University X”. This means students can change disciplines, with their provider’s approval, without needing to apply for a new student visa. 

This change gives students greater flexibility, reduces the time and cost involved in changing study plans, and supports a smoother transition from secondary to tertiary education.

About the changes

These changes support the Government’s International Education Going for Growth work. This includes making the PSV easier to understand and helping maintain New Zealand’s attractiveness as a study destination. 

All international students still need to meet the Pathway Student Visa requirements, including:

• health and character requirements, and
• showing that they are genuine students. 

More information about the visa

For more information on the Pathway Student Visa, visit:

Pathway Student Visa