Student visa wait times
Find out how long it takes us to process student visas.
Wait times
Find out how long it takes us to process student visas. The wait times on this page are based on applications decided in March 2024.
80% of visas are processed within these times. Your visa application may take longer than what is shown here.
| Visa type | Wait time |
|---|---|
| Fee Paying Student Visa | 10 weeks |
| Dependent Child Student Visa | 8 weeks |
| MFAT-funded NZ Scholarship Student Visa | 4 months |
| Exchange Student Visa | 3 weeks |
Find other visa wait times
To find the wait time for a visa that is not listed on this page you can use our fees, decision times and where to apply tool.
Fees, decision times and where to apply
You can also find out online how long it takes to process visas for international students depending on the type of education provider.
Visa processing times for international students
Check your application status
To find out information on your visa application you can log in to your Immigration Online account and check your visa status.
Checking your visa application status
Some applications can take longer to process
Some visa applications may take longer to process than others. If your application is taking longer than what is shown on this page you can find out what factors may affect visa wait times.
Why some visa applications take longer to process than others