Improvements to the Pathway Student Visa to better support international students

The Government has made changes to the Pathway Student Visa (PSV). This gives 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

On Monday 20 July 2026, the following changes to the Pathway Student Visa (PSV) took effect.

• Year 12 and 13 students have more flexibility if their plans change. They still need to confirm their subject area, level and provider during their application, but their PSV conditions only specify the tertiary qualification and the education provider.
• There are more study pathways at lower levels. Students can use the PSV for study pathways that lead to, or move between, New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework ( ) levels 1 to 4. This includes English language study, foundation programmes, and vocational certificates.
• Students have more time to complete English language study. Some first-time PSV holders moving to NZQCF levels 1 to 8 can spend up to 30 weeks studying English before starting their next qualification. This is an increase from 20 weeks. 

Changes to Pathway Student Visa conditions

On Monday 20 July 2026, PSV conditions for students progressing from school to tertiary study became more flexible.

When applying, students still need to tell us:

• the subject area they plan to study, for example, science, health or engineering
• the level they plan to study, for example bachelor’s degree, and
• the education provider they intend to study with, for example the University of Otago.

However, their visa conditions only state the qualification type and education provider. For example, “Bachelor’s degree at University of Auckland”. This means students can change disciplines, with their provider’s approval, without needing to apply for a new student visa.

Before 20 July, PSV conditions specified both the qualification and the discipline a student intended to study, for example, “Bachelor of Science at University of Auckland”. 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.

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