U6.1 Courses of study lasting longer than 3 months (29/11/2010)

1. People who require a visa to visit New Zealand and who wish to come to New Zealand to study full-time for a period longer than 3 months, must hold a student visa.
2. Potential students who are nationals of countries to whom a visitor visa waiver applies (see E2.1.5) may enter New Zealand as visitors and apply for a student visa after their arrival.

U6.1.1 Definition of 'full-time study'

1. For private training establishments full-time study is generally considered to be enrolment in a course of study that requires attendance for a minimum of 20 hours per week.
2. For other tertiary institutions enrolment in at least 3 papers, or equivalent, per semester is indicative of full-time study.
3. Any course of study that does not meet (a) or (b) above is usually considered to be part-time (see U7.20).
4. The final decision on whether or not a student may be considered to be undertaking full-time study rests with immigration officers. If necessary, immigration officers should confirm whether or not the proposed course of study could be considered to be full-time or not by consulting the Ministry of Education, Wellington which has a qualifications database and/or the education provider itself.

Effective 29/11/2010