Pathway Student Visa
You can study up to 3 courses, 1 after the other, on this visa. You must have a Pathway Student Visa offer of place and the funds to pay for your tuition fees and living costs.
Apply online-
Length of stay
Up to
5 years
-
Cost
From
NZD $750
-
Processing time
80% within
4 weeks
To apply you must:
- be offered a valid study pathway by a pathway education provider or providers
- have an offer of place from an
- have enough money to pay your tuition fees, or have a scholarship
- have enough money to live on, or be sponsored
- have full medical and travel insurance
- meet the other requirements of this visa.
This visa lets you:
- study up to 3 courses, 1 after the other, on a single visa
- complete your qualification plan
- work part-time up to 20 hours a week while studying, and full-time in holidays, depending on your course.
You cannot include your partner or dependent children in your visa application, but they can apply for visas based on their relationship to you.
You will need to meet the pre-requisites for any second and third courses on your study pathway to stay in New Zealand on a Pathway Student Visa.
How long you can stay
This visa allows you to stay in New Zealand for up to 5 years.
It may be issued to expire no more than 3 months after you complete your final pathway programme of study, within the maximum stay of 5 years. The length of your stay may be shorter if your passport expires before the end date of study.
Who can apply
To apply for this visa you must:
- be offered a valid study pathway by a pathway education provider or providers
- be offered a place on a course by an
- have enough money to pay your tuition fees
- be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian and live with that person while studying if aged 9 or younger and not living in an approved school hostel
- provide evidence that practical work experience is part of your course, where required
- provide information about your holidays and your course, and have written permission, if you plan to work
- show that you are passing your course and meeting attendance requirements, if you already have a student visa
- be in good health
- be of good character
- have a genuine reason for coming to New Zealand
- have enough money to pay your living expenses during you stay, or have an acceptable sponsor
- have full medical and travel insurance for the length of your stay
- have plans to leave New Zealand at the end of your stay.
Study pathway
You must be offered a valid study pathway by a pathway education provider.
Not all education providers can offer courses for this visa. Check the list of pathway education providers.
The Pathway Student Visa is a pilot project, which allows international students to study up to 3 courses, one after the other, on a single student visa for up to 5 years. The visa is only available for study with approved Pathway Education Providers and for some courses of study. There is no date set for when the Pathway Student Visa will be reviewed, or when new education providers will be able to be added. Existing Pathway Student Visa providers can continue to support applications for a Pathway Student Visa. We realise that the Pathway Student Visa is a popular product, and that many providers are eager to join. We will update this page when we have more information. Students can: Pathway Student Visas are given for up to 5 years, long enough for students to complete their planned qualifications. To stay in New Zealand on a Pathway Student Visa, students still need to meet the pre-requisites for any second and third courses on their study pathway. The Pathway Student Visa: At this time, Immigration New Zealand is not accepting new education providers for this visa. You can only apply for a Pathway Student Visa if you have an offer from one or more pathway education providers taking part in the Pathway Student Visa pilot. The pilot is available to selected primary, secondary and tertiary providers.
Pathway Student Visa information
A Pathway Student Visa is for international students who want to study up to 3 programmes of study, one after the other, on a single visa.
Pathway Student Visa for international students
Current status of this pilot
What students can do on this visa
How it works for students
Benefits for education providers
Pathway education providers
Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics
Private Training Establishments
Schools
Universities
You will need to get a letter of support from your pathway education provider or a joint letter if your study is with more than 1 provider. The letter must:
- set out the courses that make up your study pathway, and
- include the start and end dates for each course.
Place on a course
You must have been offered a place on a course by an
The evidence must include:
- the name of your course
- how long it will last
- whether your study will be full-time, part-time, or as a distance-learning or correspondence student
- if your course is for more than 1
, the dates of all of the course’s scheduled holidays.
Note
You can provide information about the dates of holidays in a separate document.
An offer of a place must also include a declaration signed by your education provider to say they have assessed, and are satisfied that:
- the course they offer is appropriate to your expectations, and
- you have the English language ability and academic capability to pass the course.
If children are going to be studying for more than 2 weeks, their education provider must be a signatory to the Education (Pastoral Care of Tertiary and International Learners) Code of Practice 2021.
Find out if an education provider is a signatory, and how the code protects international students.
Alert
If your study pathway is with more than 1 pathway education provider, you will need to provide a separate offer of place from each education provider.
Tuition fees
You must provide documents that show you have paid the tuition fees for your first course or first year of study — whichever is shorter — and evidence that you are able to pay for the next years of study with your pathway education providers.
Paying for your first year or first course
Depending on your situation, provide:
- evidence of savings, such as bank statements, you can use to pay for your tuition fees
- a letter from your approved education provider showing you have paid your fees, or that you do not have to pay fees
- documents that show you have applied for a government loan in your home country together with a letter from your education provider confirming they expect to receive the fees, or
- documents that show you have applied for a government loan in your home country and that you are enrolling in a bachelor degree programme or higher at a private training establishment (PTE)
- a letter confirming you have a scholarship that covers your tuition fees.
Paying for the rest of your pathway courses
Documents you can provide to show you can pay for all your courses can include:
- bank statements showing savings or family income you can access while in New Zealand
- confirmation that you have a scholarship that covers the fees for all your study here.
Note
If we process your application outside New Zealand, you do not need to send these documents until we let you know that we have approved your application in principle.
Parent or legal guardian
If the applicant is aged 9 or younger and not going to live in a New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA)-approved school hostel, they must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian and live with that person while studying.
The parent or legal guardian must provide proof that they care for, and have the legal right to care for, the applicant in their home country.
Evidence of this can include:
- the parent or guardian’s passport or residence document showing the applicant has been living with them in their home country
- documents that show the parent or guardian paid for and are responsible for the applicant's education.
Evidence the parent or legal guardian has the legal right to provide care for the applicant can include:
- the applicant's birth certificate or adoption papers, if an adoptive parent
- court documents, if a court-appointed guardian
- relevant legal documents, if a testamentary guardian (named as guardian in the applicant's parents’ will if the parents have died).
Note
The parent or legal guardian must apply separately for the type of visa they need.
Permission to work
If you are aged 16 or 17, or in years 12 or 13 of secondary school, you must have permission to work.
You can work up to 20 hours a week, and
- parents or legal guardian, and
- approved education provider.
If you are coming to New Zealand as an exchange student, you will also need a letter from the organiser of the exchange.
Note
If you are older than 18 you do not need written permission to work during the summer holidays. Students aged 15 or younger cannot work on a student visa.
Working full-time in your holidays
If you can work full-time in your holidays, you must provide information about your course and holidays.
You will need to show:
- your course has a value of 120 credits — this information may be on your fee receipt or invoice, or other correspondence provided by your approved education provider
- when holidays are scheduled during your course — you can usually find this in your education provider's offer of place letter.
Practical work experience
If you will be doing practical work experience as part of your course, you must provide evidence that it is a requirement of your studies.
Evidence can include:
- a letter from your approved education provider confirming that you must complete work experience as part of your study
- a course outline that shows you must do practical work experience — this information may be in your offer of place document.
Note
Any time you spend doing practical work experience is in addition to the hours you are allowed to work under the conditions of your visa.
If you already have a student visa
If you already have a student visa, you must provide photocopied evidence of your student performance, progress and attendance. This can include:
- academic transcripts
- a letter from your
- attendance records.
Health
You must be in good health.
We may ask you to have a chest X-ray, a medical examination or both as proof of your health.
If you are staying less than:
- 6 months, you do not normally need a chest X-ray
- 12 months, you do not normally need a medical certificate.
When you apply, you must answer questions about your health. This will help to decide whether you need to provide evidence of a chest X-ray or medical examination. Even if you do not need these when you apply, we may ask for them when we process your application.
Check the situations where we may ask you to have a chest X-ray or medical examination.
Who needs an X-ray or medical examination
Visa health requirements, which we call the acceptable standard of health criteria, help us to decide if we should approve or decline your application. We check if: Ongoing Resource Scheme — Ministry of Education When we decide if you meet the visa's health requirements, we cannot consider: Note If you, or someone else in your visa application, need to enter New Zealand for medical treatment or consultation, the visa health requirements may not apply. You may need to get a medical examination as part of your application. We will use this to determine if you meet the visa's health requirements. Who needs a chest X-ray or medical examination Your medical examination results may mean we either: If we ask the medical assessor for their opinion, we may then: We may decline your temporary visa application if we think during your stay you are likely, because of your health, to need: We may also decline your temporary visa if you are assessed as having a severe developmental or cognitive condition that will need significant support. The conditions include, but are not limited to: The visas this requirement applies to: Child of a Worker Visitor Visa Child of Military Visitor Visa Child of a Student Visitor Visa You are included in the additional health requirement if you are under 20 and applying for a student or visitor visa as the dependent of a work, student or military visa holder. We may decline your application for a resident visa if you, or somebody else in your application, have any of these conditions: We may also decline your visa application if the medical assessor thinks that your health services costs are likely to be more than NZ$81,000 (NZ$41,000 if you applied for a visa before 4 September 2022).
Why you may need to provide evidence you are in good health
Before we can approve your visa application, we check that you meet the visa's health requirements.
Health requirements for visas
How we assess your health
Meeting health requirements for temporary visas
Meeting health requirements for resident visas
Note You can check the situations where you need an X-ray or medical examination, and the different types of examinations. Who needs an X-ray or medical examination If you need a medical examination, you normally get a 'general medical examination' unless you need a limited medical examination. A general medical examination is sometimes called a 'full medical examination'. For some visas, you must have a chest X-ray, a medical examination or both before you apply. For an Accredited Employer Work Visa or a Visitor Visa, we will let you know after you submit your application if you need a chest X-ray or medical examination. If you need a chest X-ray or medical examination, you must visit a doctor or radiologist from our list of 'panel physicians' — unless there are no panel physicians in your country. Panel physicians are doctors and radiologists approved to complete chest X-rays and medical examinations for New Zealand visa applications. Check if there is a panel physician in your country. Doctors who can do examinations You must visit a panel physician. You can use any registered doctor. You must visit a panel medical clinic who will refer you to a panel radiology clinic. Note If there are other people on your application, they will each need an appointment. If you are menstruating (having a period), you need to wait until your period finishes before having your medical examination. You cannot have your medical examination during your period because the blood can affect your urine test. For an Accredited Employer Work Visa or Visitor Visa, if we need you to have a chest X-ray or medical examination, we give you an Immigration New Zealand health case reference number (NZHR). Give the NZHR to the clinic when you make your appointment. Finding your eMedical and INZ health case reference numbers You can bring a family member, support person or interpreter to your appointment. Let the clinic know when you make your appointment if you are bringing someone with you. If you are having a physical examination, you can ask the clinic for a chaperone. The clinic must have chaperones available. Have the following ready to bring to your appointment: Identity documents for X-rays and medical examinations Note If you are 17 years or under, you need your parent or legal guardian to come with you. If you are visiting any registered doctor because there are no panel physicians in your country, you need to also bring: Get the medical certificate form you need:
You need to also bring a completed 'Immigration Adviser Details' form to give to the clinic.
At your medical appointment, you must sign a form to allow the doctor to send your medical information to us. If you are 17 or younger, your parent or guardian must sign the form for you. If your doctor is using eMedical, they will give you an eMedical client consent and declaration form to sign. You can read the form before your appointment:
There are 3 parts to the medical examination: The doctor checks your height, weight, mental state, hearing and vision, listens to your heart and lungs, feels your abdomen and checks your reflexes and other parts of your nervous system. A nurse or health care assistant may complete parts of the examination. You will need to: You must pay any costs related to your X-ray and medical examinations. Note Ask the clinic about the costs when you make your appointment. In your visa application, you need to provide evidence of your X-ray or examination results. To show you had an examination you can either: To get a copy of your results you can ask the doctor when you have your examination, or any time afterwards. You can ask for email notifications. If you do, you will receive an email when your physician sends us your results. You cannot reply to this email. If you have any questions about your results, discuss these with your doctor. You can ask the clinic for a copy of your medical examination results. Once we receive your results you can also contact us if you want a copy of them. If you have an immigration adviser, and would like them to be able to see and ask questions about your medical information, you need to:
The panel physicians who use eMedical must agree to protect your personal information to meet New Zealand privacy laws. Your information is sent to us using a secure online channel and is available only to us and the clinic where you were examined. If you have any privacy concerns, you can contact us.
How to get an X-ray or medical examination
If you need a chest X-ray or medical examination for your visa application, you will need to make a doctor's appointment and take any relevant documents with you. You will need to provide evidence of your medical results in your application.
Process overview
Your chest X-ray and medical examination results must be no more than 3 months old when we get your application.
1. Check if you need a chest X-ray or medical examination
2. Make an appointment
If there is a panel physician in your country
If there is no panel physician in your country
If you are in New Zealand and only need a chest X-ray
Bringing someone with you to the appointment
3. Get what you need for your appointment
If you are visiting a doctor that is not a panel physician
If you are using a licensed immigration adviser
4. Go to your appointment
Authority to collect medical information
What happens at the medical examination
Paying for your medical examination
5. Provide evidence of your results in your application
6. How to get your results
If you need a copy of your results
Sharing your medical information with an immigration adviser
Your privacy
Note
Evidence of a chest X-ray or medical examination must be less than 3 months old when we receive them.
If staying for more than 6 months
If you will be staying in New Zealand for more than 6 months, you must have a chest X-ray if you:
- are a citizen of a country that does not have a low incidence of tuberculosis (TB), or
- have spent more than 3 months in the last 5 years in a country that does not have a low incidence of TB.
You must provide a new chest X-ray certificate, even if you have provided one to us previously, if you:
- have spent 6 months in a row in a country that does not have a low incidence of TB since the date of your last X-ray certificate, and
- are now coming to New Zealand for more than 6 months — if you are in New Zealand this includes any time you have already spent here.
If you are applying for a visa to come to New Zealand for 6 months or longer, you must have a chest X-ray if you: You may not need to have a chest X-ray if you: Countries with a low incidence of TB Aland Islands Albania American Samoa Andorra Anguilla Antarctica Antigua and Barbuda Argentina Armenia Aruba Australia Austria Bahamas Bahrain Barbados Belarus Belgium Belize Bermuda Bonaire Bosnia and Herzegovina Bouvet Island British Indian Ocean Territory British Virgin Islands Bulgaria Cabo Verde Canada Cayman Islands Chile Christmas Island Cocos (Keeling) Islands Colombia Comoros Cook Islands Costa Rica Croatia Cuba Curacao Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Egypt Estonia Falkland Islands Faroe Islands Finland France French Guiana French Polynesia Germany Gibraltar Greece Grenada Guadeloupe Guam Guatemala Guernsey Heard and McDonald Islands Honduras Hungary Iceland Iran (Islamic Republic of) Iraq Ireland Isle of Man Israel Italy Jamaica Japan Jersey Jordan Kuwait Latvia Lebanon Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Maldives Malta Martinique Mauritius Mayotte Mexico Monaco Montenegro Montserrat Netherlands New Caledonia New Zealand Norfolk Island North Macedonia Norway Occupied Palestinian Territory Oman Panama Pitcairn Islands Poland Portugal Puerto Rico Qatar Reunion Saint Barthelmy Saint Eustatius & Saba Saint Helena, Ascencion and Tristan da Cunha Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Samoa San Marino Saudi Arabia Serbia Seychelles Sint Maarten Slovakia Slovenia South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Spain Suriname Svalbard and Jan Mayen Sweden Switzerland Syrian Arab Republic Togo Tonga Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkey Turks and Caicos United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United States of America United States Virgin Islands Uruguay Vanuatu Vatican City Wallis and Futuna Islands
Countries with a low incidence of tuberculosis
You must have a chest X-ray if you have been living in a country that does not have a low incidence of tuberculosis (TB).
When you need to have a chest X-ray
Check the list of countries with a low incidence of TB
Character
You must be of good character.
You may need to provide police certificates as proof of your good character.
If you have a criminal conviction, or are a security risk to New Zealand, we might not give you a visa.
Anyone applying for a New Zealand visa must meet the character requirements. When you apply, you must tell us about any issues or activities, both current and in your past, that could affect our decision, including whether you have been: If there is an issue, we may: You can request a character waiver or special direction when you apply. If your request is approved, we can give you a visa if your application meets all other requirements. Visas are given by special direction only in rare circumstances. You may need to provide us with police certificates to show your good character. Whether you need to give these certificates depends on how long you plan to stay in New Zealand and the visa you are applying for.
Character requirements for New Zealand visas
To be given a New Zealand visa, you must be of good character. If you have a criminal history, have provided false or misleading information, or could be a risk to New Zealand, we can decline your application.
Being of good character
Providing police certificates
You must provide police certificates that are less than 6 months old when you apply, if:
- you are aged 17 or older, and
- your total time in New Zealand will be 24 months or longer — this includes time you spent in New Zealand in the past on other visas.
Police certificates must be obtained from countries:
- you are a citizen of, and
- you have spent more than 5 years in since you turned 17.
You do not need to provide police certificates if you provided them with an earlier visa application and they were issued in the last 24 months.
If we ask for a new police certificate when processing your application, you will need to send us a new one.
Depending on the visa you want, and how long you plan to stay in New Zealand, you may need to provide a police certificate as evidence of your good character. Police certificates are documents issued by the police or a government agency. They: If we ask you to provide a police certificate, you must: Providing English translations supporting documents You must provide police certificates if your total time in New Zealand will be 24 months or longer across all visits. This includes any time you have spent in New Zealand in the past on other visas, even if you have been out of the country since then. Provide police certificates from any country you: If you are aged 16 or younger, you do not need to provide police certificates. If you have a criminal record, we may still be able to grant you a visa. You can provide an explanation of your criminal record when you apply, and we will decide if you meet our good character requirements. You must provide police certificates if you are aged 17 or older. Provide police certificates from: Police certificates must show any criminal records you have had at any time in any of these countries — not only in the last 10 years. If you have a criminal record, we may still be able to give you a visa. You can provide an explanation of your criminal record when you apply, and we will decide if you meet our good character requirements. If you apply for a visa as the partner of a New Zealander or a New Zealand visa holder, your partner is known as the 'supporting partner'. Your supporting partner must be able to show us they are of good character. They may need to provide police certificates for proof. If your supporting partner is a New Zealand citizen or has a resident visa, they: If your partner needs to provide police certificates, the police certificates must be from countries where they have spent 12 months or more over the last 10 years, since they turned 17 — even if the 12 months were not all in one stay. Police certificates must show any criminal records they have had at any time in any of these countries — not only in the last 10 years. Note Your partner does not need to provide a New Zealand police certificate, as we will get one directly from the authorities. If your supporting partner has a work or study visa, we may ask your partner to provide police certificates, if you are applying for a temporary visa. Your partner will not meet our character requirements if they have any convictions for
If your supporting partner cannot prove they are of good character, we may give them a
If your partner has any convictions for domestic violence or sexual offences, they cannot support your application. For all types of visa applications, we still may request police certificates from your partner to make sure they meet our character requirements. You may not need to provide police certificates if you have provided them in a previous visa application. Check the character requirements of the visa you are applying for. Some of the authorities that issue police certificates (the police and other government agencies) may require a set of fingerprints when you request a police certificate. If you do need a set of fingerprints to get a police certificate, check in your region for a fingerprinting service. There are many private businesses who offer fingerprinting services. If you cannot find a fingerprinting service in your region, you can contact the New Zealand Police to see if they can help. They only offer this service in some regions and on specific days. Contact them to check availability before going to a police station.
Police certificates
When you apply for a visa, you may need to provide us with a police certificate to show that you are of good character.
About police certificates
Find out how to get a police certificate
If your supporting partner has a temporary visa to work or study
If your partner cannot prove good character
If you have provided police certificates before
Fingerprinting for police certificates
Genuine intentions
You must genuinely intend to study in New Zealand and to leave at the end of your stay.
When we decide if your intentions for coming to New Zealand are genuine, we will consider all the information that:
- you provide to support your application
- we have about your personal circumstances
- you have previously provided to us.
When you travel to New Zealand on a temporary visa, your intentions must be genuine. This means that you: We use all the information we have, including the information you give us in your application, to confirm that you have genuine intentions. Alert You must answer truthfully when you complete your visa application or NZTD. If you are travelling on a visitor visa or visiting from a
If you have a visitor visa for a specific reason, you must be coming to New Zealand for that reason. For example, if you have a Medical Treatment Visitor Visa, your reason for visiting must be getting medical treatment. If you are travelling on a student visa, you must have genuine intentions to study in New Zealand. You can only work if the conditions of your student visa allow you to. If you are travelling to New Zealand to work, you must have a visa that will allow you to. Unless your visa allows you to work in any job, you must plan to work in the job, for the employer, and in the location specified in your visa. You may be asked to provide evidence of your genuine intentions: Here are some examples of evidence to show that you have genuine intentions in coming to New Zealand. To show your travel history, you could show a copy of your current and recent passports, including: If you live in a country that is not your country of citizenship, provide a copy of the visa allowing you to live in that country. If you have ever had a visa application declined by any other country, provide: If you plan to visit family or friends in New Zealand, provide their: Evidence of your travel plans while in New Zealand could include copies of: You may also need to show that you have plans to leave New Zealand at the end of your stay. This evidence could include: If you are applying for a student visa, you could provide evidence that you have: If you do not need to pay tuition fees, or if you can pay by instalment — where you make smaller payments over a period of time — you must provide confirmation from your education provider. You can also write a cover letter or statement of purpose explaining why you want to study in New Zealand. This will help us decide if you are a genuine student. If you are using an education agent or licensed immigration adviser, they cannot write the letter for you. Examples of things you could write about in your letter or statement include: If you plan to apply for another visa — for example, a work visa — after you finish your studies, include this in your cover letter or statement of purpose.
To show that you have genuine intentions to work, you will in most cases need to provide: If your visa requires you to have enough money to live on during your stay, you will need to provide evidence. This could include: Depending on your situation, you may need to provide: We consider each application based on the information and evidence we receive. If you do not provide enough evidence, it may take us longer to process your application, or we may decline your application. You must provide genuine evidence. If you or your agent provide evidence that is false or misleading, we may also decline your application. False, misleading or withheld information in visa applications Check the translation requirements for the visa you are applying for. All non-English documents must be translated when you apply for visitor and resident visas. Providing English translations of supporting documents If you are applying online, make sure your evidence is in an acceptable file format. To decide if your intentions are genuine, we look at: We look at evidence you provide with your application to check that it: When we consider information about your personal circumstances, we look at: We also look at information from your previous applications and travel to New Zealand. This can show us if you have: We might not give you a visa or allow you to enter New Zealand if we:
Genuine intentions to visit, study or work in New Zealand
Before you can get a visa or enter New Zealand to visit, work or study, we check that your reasons for coming here are genuine.
What it means to have 'genuine intentions'
Visitor visas
Student visas
Work visas
Evidence to show you have genuine intentions
Evidence of your travel history
If you live in a different country to your citizenship
Declined visa applications
Evidence you are visiting family or friends
Evidence of your travel plans
Evidence of your study plans
Evidence of your work plans
Evidence you have enough money
Evidence of your home country circumstances
evidence of your relationships with close relatives in your home country
Providing good-quality evidence
How we decide if your intentions are genuine
Evidence you provide with your application
Your personal circumstances
Your previous applications
If we decide your intentions are not genuine
Enough money to live on
You must have enough money to live on while you are in New Zealand, or have an acceptable sponsor.
The evidence you send us can include:
- bank statements or credit card statements
- bank drafts
- traveller's cheques
- documents that show your living costs have been paid — for example, receipts for a school homestay where you will live with a local family while you study
- a Sponsorship Form for Temporary Entry, completed by an acceptable sponsor
- a Financial Undertaking for a Student Form, completed by an acceptable guarantor.
If you are paying for yourself
If your studies are tertiary level, English language or other non-compulsory study, you must have:
- NZD $20,000 for each year if you are studying for 1 year or more
- NZD $1,667 for each month if your study is shorter than 1 year.
If you are studying in compulsory education — for example, at a school in Years 1 to 13 — you must have NZD $17,000 for each year or NZD $1,417 for each month.
If you study for more than 1 year, you must also show how you will pay your living costs for the following years. Provide evidence, such as savings or family income, to show how you will get access to the money you need while you are in New Zealand.
Note
Depending on what city you live in while you are in New Zealand, you might need more than NZD $17,000 each year.
If you have a sponsor
Your sponsor is responsible for your accommodation and living costs while you are in New Zealand. They can be an organisation or an individual. Individual sponsors must be a family member or friend.
Your responsibilities as a sponsor
Sponsorship process for a visa
Your sponsor must complete a Sponsorship Form for Temporary Entry. They can provide supporting documents including:
- recent bank statements
- pay slips
- their employment agreement
- ownership papers for your accommodation or receipts for rent payments.
You submit the form and evidence with your application to show us how they will pay your living expenses.
If you have a guarantor
Before you arrive in New Zealand, a third party or guarantor can agree to provide you with financial support while you are in New Zealand. The guarantor can be an organisation or an individual — if an individual, they must be a relative or friend of the child.
The guarantor must:
- complete a Financial Undertaking for a Student form
- provide evidence that they have money that is their own and not loaned, such as recent bank statements or confirmation from the bank.
Paying for health care
You or your sponsor will need to pay for any health care or medical assistance you receive while in New Zealand.
If you are pregnant, there are additional requirements.
Depending on the visa you are applying for and your nationality you may be eligible for publicly funded health care during and after your pregnancy. If you are not eligible you must cover the costs of your own maternity care — when you apply for your visa, you need to provide evidence of how you will pay. Maternity care includes looking after you: Some women can get maternity care no matter what visa they have for New Zealand. You are eligible if you: Pregnancy services — Te Whatu Ora — Health New Zealand Who can get public health care Note If you have a Limited Visa, you cannot get publicly funded maternity care. If you are not eligible for public health care and have a temporary visa to visit, study or work in New Zealand, you must show you have a minimum of NZD $9,000 to pay for your maternity care. You can: With your visa application, you must include evidence you have: You can include evidence such as: Your sponsor or guarantor must be able to show they: Who can sponsor a visa applicant Your sponsor or guarantor must complete a form to send in with your visa and provide evidence of how they will meet the cost of your maternity care.
If you are pregnant
If you are pregnant and apply for a temporary visa to visit, study, or work in New Zealand, you must tell us how you will pay for your maternity care while you are here.
Covering the cost of your maternity care
Who can get publicly funded maternity care
Paying for your maternity care
Evidence that you can pay for your care
If you have a sponsor or guarantor
Citizens of Samoa or Tonga
The only evidence you must provide is a written guarantee of maintenance from a relative in New Zealand. This relative must be a New Zealand citizen or resident.
Citizens of India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal or Bhutan applying from any of those countries
If you are applying in South Asia, only immediate family are able to sponsor you or provide a financial undertaking. Immediate family are your partner, parents, siblings, grandparents and parents-in-law.
You also need to provide acceptable evidence you can comfortably afford to study in New Zealand.
Medical and travel insurance
You must agree to have insurance for travel and any health care you need from the date that you arrive in New Zealand to the day you leave.
Note
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) students do not need to hold insurance.
Your insurance policy must cover you for:
- travel — this includes travel to and from New Zealand, within New Zealand, and outside New Zealand if you travel as part of the course
- medical care in New Zealand, including diagnoses, prescriptions, surgery and stays in hospital
- transport out of New Zealand if you suffer a serious illness or injury, including travel for family members assisting you
- death, including funeral expenses, transport to your home country and travel to and from New Zealand for family members.
Your education provider can give you more information about what your policy must cover or arrange insurance for you.
Note
Some people may be eligible for public health care.
Who can get public health care
Leaving New Zealand
You must be able to show that you plan to leave the country at the end of your stay.
If you are paying for yourself, you will need to provide:
- your ticket for travel out of New Zealand at the end of your stay to a
, or - documents, such as bank or credit card statements, that show you have enough money to buy a ticket.
Note
The money for your ticket must be in addition to what you have to live on.
If you are being sponsored and you do not have a return ticket, your sponsor can provide recent bank statements to show they have enough money to buy you a ticket out of New Zealand.
A guarantor can also decide to cover the costs of leaving New Zealand.
Documents you need
When you apply
When you apply, you will need to provide:
- a copy of your passport or
— if you apply on paper, you can provide a , but we will usually process your visa application faster if you provide the original - 1 acceptable photo if you apply online, or 2 photos if you apply on paper
- a letter of support from your pathway education provider or providers
- evidence you have been offered a place by an approved education provider
- evidence you have paid tuition fees, can do so, or do not need to
- evidence that practical work experience forms part of your study, where applicable
- if accompanied by a parent or legal guardian, proof that they are responsible for you in your home country
- permission from your parent or legal guardian, as well as from the approved education provider, if you will be working during your stay
- information about your course and holidays, if you plan to work full-time in your holidays
- a copy of the completed Sponsorship Form for Temporary Entry, if you have a sponsor
- a completed Financial Undertaking for a Student Form, if you have a guarantor
- evidence of a chest X-ray, if required
- evidence of a medical examination, if required
- police certificates, if required
- proof you plan to leave New Zealand at the end of your stay
- evidence of medical and travel insurance
- certified English translation of all documents that are not in English.
If your photo does not meet all of our requirements we will ask you for a new photo. If you are applying for a visa, we will stop processing your application until we receive an acceptable photo. If you are requesting an NZeTA, your request may be delayed or refused. Use the photo examples on this page to check your photo is correct and meets our requirements. Alert Do not use the New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs website or other online tools to check your photo as those tools are for passport photos only. Your photo is more likely to be accepted if you use a professional photographer or business that takes passport photos. Give the photographer our instructions to make sure you get a photo that meets our requirements.
The photo you submit with a paper application must be 35 mm wide and 45 mm high. Further instructions are on the paper application forms. Note You can only apply for an NZeTA online. The photo you submit with an online application must be: Alert We are unlikely to accept your photo if it is not the right size. If you request an NZeTA using the web app, you can either upload an existing photo or take one using your device's camera. If you use the mobile app, you can only take a photo using your device's camera. Your photo must be: If you take a photo with your device, the camera must have a minimum resolution of 540 x 720 pixels. Large photos will be automatically formatted. If there is an issue with your photo you will receive an error message when you submit your visa or NZeTA photo online. To help you, we have provided a list of online errors and how to fix them. Your photo must: It may be easier to remove them.
Visa and NZeTA photos
Your photo must be less than 6 months old and clearly identify you. It must also meet all of our technical requirements.
Meeting our photo requirements
Visa and NZeTA photos are not passport photos
Using a professional photographer
Paper applications for visas
Online applications for visas
Online requests for NZeTAs
Online photo error messages
Taking your visa photo
Be in portrait, not landscape
Be of you, not a photo of a photo or your travel document
Have even lighting with minimal shadowing
Be in colour, showing natural skin tones
Be in focus, not blurry
Not contain red-eye
Be an original photo, not changed by photo-editing software
Not be a selfie
Be taken 1.5 metres from the face
Be taken against a plain, light-coloured — but not white — background with no patterns or objects
Only contain plain clothing patterns
Be of one person
We need to clearly see your face
Face the camera and keep your head straight
Keep your eyes open and mouth closed
Do not smile or frown
Show your face clearly and that long hair is tucked behind your ears
Position yourself in the middle of the photo
Remove sunglasses and hats
If you wear prescription glasses
Make sure your eyes show clearly through the lenses, with no reflected light
If you wear a head covering for religious or medical reasons
Make sure that your face and hairline can be seen in the photo
You do not need to send us a physical copy. You must send us a high-quality scan of your passport. Provide a scanned copy of your current and recent passports, including: File formats for uploading documents and photos If you are including your partner or dependent children in your application, you must send us high-quality scans of their passports too. If you are applying for a: You must upload a high-quality scan of your current passport or travel document information page when you start your application. This is the page with your photo, name, date of birth and document details like passport number, expiry and issuing authority. Make sure your scan also includes the MRZ code — the string of characters on the bottom of the information page of your passport. If you are including a partner or dependent children in your application, you will also need to upload a high-quality scan of their passport information page. Immigration Online will read the identity and document details in your scanned copy and fill in these fields for you on the form. Check the details in the form are correct and fix any mistakes. If all the information is correct you do not need to do anything and can continue with your application. If Immigration Online could not upload your document, rescan your document and try again. Make sure the document: You can upload any other pages with visa records, entry and exit stamps in the 'Identity evidence' fields in the 'Supporting documents' section of your application form. If you are applying for another type of visa online, we will email you if we need your physical passport to confirm your identity. You may not need to send us your passport if you are: If you renew your passport before you travel, you must transfer your eVisa or the visa label to your new passport. Transferring a visa to a new passport You may not be able to come to New Zealand if your visa and passport do not match in our system. If we need to see your physical passport to confirm your identity, we will: Most people do not need to provide their physical passport. If you are not sure if you need to send your passport, check the final page of your completed visa application in your Immigration Online account. Warning If you do not send your passport within the time we specify, we may delay processing your application or decline it. If you are applying from outside New Zealand, send your passport to your nearest Visa Application Centre (VAC) or Immigration New Zealand (INZ) office. We must receive it within 20 working days from when we ask for it. Most people use a courier or postal tracking service to send us their passports. Offices outside of New Zealand (Visa Application Centres) Postal addresses for sending paper documents We will contact you with instructions about where and how to send your passport if you: Check our postal addresses page for where to send your passport in New Zealand. Use a signature-required courier service so it arrives quickly. Postal addresses for sending paper documents You may have to pay a fee to send your passport to a VAC. You can find the handling fee on the website of your nearest VAC. Fill in the filters and select the tab called ‘Passport handling for online application’. VFS Global for individuals — VFS Global If you sent your passport to a VAC, they contact you with the tracking details after they send your passport back to you. If you have any questions or concerns about the return of your passport, contact the VAC directly. Note The VAC may not send your passport back to you until after we have made a decision about your visa application. If you sent your passport to an INZ office, you receive a tracking number after we send it back to you. Contact the courier company if you have any questions about delivery. For any other questions or concerns, contact us. If you need your passport urgently, contact the INZ officer processing your application. When you contact them, include:
Providing your passport for an online application
How to provide a digital copy of your passport or send us your original passport so we can verify your identity.
If you are applying for a visitor, student or work visa
Resident and transit visas
You must upload a high-quality scan of your passport or travel document when you apply online. You do not need to send us a physical copy.Upload the passport or travel document information page
File formats for uploading documents and photosUpload other passport or travel document pages
Other online applications
Transfer a visa to a new passport
Providing your physical passport
Sending your passport from outside New Zealand
Countries that cannot use a VAC
Sending your passport in New Zealand
Sending your passport to a VAC
Getting your passport returned from a VAC or INZ office
Urgent return of passports
Your passport or certificate of identity must be valid for at least 3 months after the date you plan to leave New Zealand.
Alert
You may not be allowed to check in to your flight if your passport is close to expiring. Check that it will not expire while you are in New Zealand or close to when you plan to leave New Zealand.
- a passport from Hong Kong
- a Hong Kong document of identity
- a Hong Kong British National Overseas passport (HKBNO)
- a passport from Macao
- copies of their passports
- a copy of your livret de famille.
If you are 17 or older, you must also provide a completed supplementary form giving more details of your background and intentions.
You may also provide your Hukou — household registration book as an additional form of identity.
If you are 17 or older, and applying within China, Hong Kong or Macao, you must also provide a completed supplementary form if you are applying with:
You must also provide a copy of your identity card.
If you are a citizen of Indonesia, also provide your
If you are not a French national, also provide a copy of your carte d’assuré.
Also provide a copy of your livret de famille.
Even if your partner and children are not coming with you, also provide:
After you apply
After you apply, we may contact you and ask for police certificates as proof of your good character.
Anyone applying for a New Zealand visa must meet the character requirements. When you apply, you must tell us about any issues or activities, both current and in your past, that could affect our decision, including whether you have been: If there is an issue, we may: You can request a character waiver or special direction when you apply. If your request is approved, we can give you a visa if your application meets all other requirements. Visas are given by special direction only in rare circumstances. You may need to provide us with police certificates to show your good character. Whether you need to give these certificates depends on how long you plan to stay in New Zealand and the visa you are applying for.
Character requirements for New Zealand visas
To be given a New Zealand visa, you must be of good character. If you have a criminal history, have provided false or misleading information, or could be a risk to New Zealand, we can decline your application.
Being of good character
Providing police certificates
When you arrive
When you arrive, you will need to have:
- a ticket to leave New Zealand at the end of your stay, proof you have enough money to buy one, or agreement that a sponsor will pay for one
- proof you have enough money to live on during your stay in New Zealand.
How to apply online
Follow these steps to complete your application online.
Note
An application containing all the documents we need will help prevent delays.
-
1
Step 1: Have a study pathway and offer of a place
Before you can apply, you will need to have been offered a valid study pathway by a pathway education provider or providers, and a place on a course by an
. Pathway Student Visa information
A Pathway Student Visa is for international students who want to study up to 3 programmes of study, one after the other, on a single visa.Pathway Student Visa for international students
The Pathway Student Visa is a pilot project, which allows international students to study up to 3 courses, one after the other, on a single student visa for up to 5 years. The visa is only available for study with approved Pathway Education Providers and for some courses of study.
Current status of this pilot
There is no date set for when the Pathway Student Visa will be reviewed, or when new education providers will be able to be added.
Existing Pathway Student Visa providers can continue to support applications for a Pathway Student Visa. We realise that the Pathway Student Visa is a popular product, and that many providers are eager to join. We will update this page when we have more information.
What students can do on this visa
Students can:
- stay for up to 5 years
- study up to 3 courses, one after the other on a single student visa
- work part time for up to 20 hours a week while they are studying and full time in the holidays, depending on their course of study.
How it works for students
Pathway Student Visas are given for up to 5 years, long enough for students to complete their planned qualifications.
To stay in New Zealand on a Pathway Student Visa, students still need to meet the pre-requisites for any second and third courses on their study pathway.
Benefits for education providers
The Pathway Student Visa:
- reduces cost and hassle
- provides certainty for students and their families
- lets students concentrate on their studies rather than having to worry about visa applications, and
- makes the transition between courses of study smoother.
At this time, Immigration New Zealand is not accepting new education providers for this visa.
Pathway education providers
You can only apply for a Pathway Student Visa if you have an offer from one or more pathway education providers taking part in the Pathway Student Visa pilot. The pilot is available to selected primary, secondary and tertiary providers.
Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics
- Ara Institute of Canterbury
- Otago Polytechnic
- Unitec Institute of Technology
- Universal College of Learning (UCOL)
- Waikato Institute of Technology
- Wellington Institute of Technology
Private Training Establishments
- ABC College of English
- Air Hawke's Bay Ltd
- Air New Zealand Aviation Institute
- Airways Training Centre
- Alpha Educational Institute
- Ardmore Flying School
- Aspiring Language Institute
- Auckland Edinburgh College
- Auckland English Academy
- Bay of Plenty English Language School
- Bridge International College Limited
- Canterbury International College
- Christchurch College of English Limited
- Coromandel Outdoor Language Centre
- Dominion English Schools
- Duke Institute of Studies Limited
- Eagle Flight Training Limited
- Eastwest College of Intercultural Studies
- EcoQuest Education Foundation
- EF International Language Schools Limited
- English Advantage
- English Teaching College
- Freedom Institute of Higher Education
- Good Shepherd College - Te Hepara Pai
- International Aviation Academy of New Zealand Limited
- IPU New Zealand
- Kaplan International Colleges
- Kingston Institute of Business and Technology
- Kiwi English Academy Limited
- Language Schools New Zealand
- Languages International Limited
- Media Design School
- Mount Maunganui Language Centre
- Nelson Aviation College Limited
- Nelson English Centre Ltd
- New Horizon College of English
- New Zealand College of Business
- New Zealand College of Chiropractic
- New Zealand Drama School (Toi Whakaari)
- New Zealand Languages Centres
- New Zealand School of Dance
- New Zealand School of Food and Wine Limited
- New Zealand School of Tourism
- New Zealand Tertiary College
- North Shore Language School
- NZ School of Acupuncture & TCM
- Pacific International Hotel Management School Limited
- Premier Institute of Education
- Queenstown Resort College
- Rotorua English Language Academy
- Seafield School of English Limited
- Southern Lakes English College
- St John's Theological College
- Stellaris PTE Ltd
- Taylors College and Embassy CES
- Te Wananga o Aotearoa (DynaSpeak)
- The Campbell Institute - Capital Language Academy
- The International Travel College of New Zealand Limited
- UCIC
- Unique New Zealand
- Whitecliffe College of Arts and Design
- Worldwide School of English
- Yoobee Colleges Limited
Schools
- ACG Parnell College
- ACG Strathallan
- ACG Sunderland
- ACG Tauranga (Tauranga)
- Aquinas College (Tauranga)
- Ashburton College (Ashburton)
- Auckland Girls' Grammar School
- Auckland Grammar
- Avondale College (Auckland)
- Bayfield High School
- Bethlehem College (Tauranga)
- Botany Downs Secondary College (Auckland)
- Brookfield School
- Burnside High School
- Cambridge High School (Cambridge)
- Carmel College
- Cashmere High School (Christchurch)
- Cashmere Primary School (Christchurch)
- Christchurch Boys' High School
- Christchurch Girls' High School
- Cobham Intermediate
- Columba College
- Craighead Diocesan School (Timaru)
- Darfield High School
- Diocesan School for Girls
- Farm Cove Intermediate
- Freyberg High School
- Garin College (Nelson)
- Gisborne Girls' High School
- Gladstone School (Auckland)
- Glendowie College
- Glendowie School
- Glenfield College
- Greenpark School (Tauranga)
- Halswell School (Christchurch)
- Hamilton Boys' High School
- Hastings Girls' High School (Hastings)
- Hillcrest High School
- Hillmorton High School
- Hobsonville Point Secondary School (Auckland)
- Howick College
- Hutt Valley High School (Wellington)
- Iona College
- John Paul College (Rotorua)
- Kaipara College
- Kamo High School (Whangarei)
- Kapiti College
- Katikati College (Katikati)
- Kerikeri High School
- King's High School (Dunedin)
- Kingsway School (Auckland)
- Kirkwood Intermediate (Christchurch)
- Lincoln High School
- Lincoln Primary School (Christchurch)
- Lindisfarne College (Hastings)
- Lynfield College
- Middleton Grange School
- Mount Hutt College
- Mt Maunganui College (Mt Maunganui)
- Mt Roskill Grammar
- Napier Boys' High School
- Nayland College
- New Plymouth Boys' High School (New Plymouth)
- New Plymouth Girls' High School (New Plymouth)
- Newlands College
- Northcote College
- Northcross Intermediate
- Onehunga High School
- Onslow College
- Otago Boys' High School (Dunedin)
- Otago Girls' High School
- Otaki College (Otaki)
- Otumoetai Intermediate
- Pakuranga College
- Palmerston North Boys' High School (Palmerston North)
- Palmerston North Girls' High School (Palmerston North)
- Papanui High School
- Pillans Point School (Tauranga)
- Pinehurst School (Auckland)
- Pukekohe High School (Pukekohe
- Queen Charlotte College
- Queen Margaret College
- Queens High School
- Rangi Ruru Girls' School (Christchurch)
- Rangiora High School (Rangiora)
- Rangitoto College
- Rathkeale College
- Rodney College
- Roncalli College
- Rosehill College
- Rotorua Boys' High School
- Rotorua Lakes High School
- Sacred Heart College (Auckland)
- Sacred Heart Girls' College (Hamilton)
- Samuel Marsden Collegiate School (Wellington)
- Scots College
- Selwyn College
- Somerville Intermediate School (Auckland)
- Southland Girls' High School (Invercargill)
- Southwell School (Hamilton)
- Spotswood College (New Plymouth)
- St Andrew's College
- St Bede’s College
- St Catherine's College (Wellington)
- St Cuthbert's College (Auckland)
- St Dominic's College (Auckland)
- St Hilda’s Collegiate
- St Kevin’s College (Oamaru)
- St Mary's College (Ponsonby)
- Taranaki Diocesan school for Girls (Stratford)
- St Patrick's College (Wellington)
- St Paul's Collegiate (Hamilton)
- St Peter's School (Cambridge)
- Tahatai Coast School (Papamoa)
- Takapuna Grammar School
- Taradale High School (Napier)
- Tauhara College
- Tauranga Boys' College (Tauranga)
- Tauranga Intermediate (Tauranga)
- Tauriko School (Tauranga)
- Te Akau Ki Papamoa Primary (Tauranga)
- Te Puke High School (Te Puke)
- Timaru Boys' High School (Timaru)
- Timaru Girls' High School (Timaru)
- Trinity Catholic College (Dunedin)
- UP International College New Zealand
- Upper Hutt College
- Waiheke High School (Waiheke Island)
- Waihi College
- Waikato Diocesan School for Girls (Hamilton)
- Waimea College
- Wairarapa College (Masterton)
- Waiuku College
- Wakatipu High School
- Wellington East Girls' College (Wellington)
- Wellington Girls' College
- Wellington High School
- Western Heights High School (Rotorua)
- Western Springs College (Auckland)
- Westlake Boys' High School (Auckland)
- Westlake Girls' High School
- Westland High School
- Whakatane High School (Whakatane)
- Whanganui High School (Whanganui)
- William Colenso College
Universities
- Auckland University of Technology
- Lincoln University
- Massey University
- University of Auckland
- University of Auckland - English Language Academy
- University of Canterbury
- University of Otago
- University of Waikato
- Victoria University of Wellington
-
2
Step 2: Gather your documents
The section 'Who can apply' explains the requirements for this visa and what you will need as proof.
Our Student Visa Guide can also help. This is available in languages other than English.
Get documents translated
For you application you must provide:
- certified translations of police and medical certificates that are not in English
- scanned copies of the original documents.
Note
If your other evidence is not in English, you can provide a translated copy to help prevent delays with processing.
Documents must be translated by someone who meets our requirements for providing English translations.
Providing English translations of supporting documents
Check the requirements of the visa you are applying for. Provide certified translations of your documents to avoid delays processing your application.Check the visa application requirements
Residence visa applications
All supporting documents submitted with your resident visa application must be provided in English or include an English translation.
Visitor visa applications
Visitor visa requirements are changing
From 26 May 2025, supporting document translations for visitor visa applications will no longer need to be certified.
Changes to certification requirements for translations of visitor visa supporting documentsExamples of documents that require full translation include:
- proof of funds — such as bank statements, pay records (proof of funds must be fully translated, partial translations may not be accepted)
- flight itineraries including return tickets
- proof of employment in your home country
- leave of absence documentation
- identity documents other than passports — for example, Hukou for Chinese nationals.
All other visa applications
You must provide us with full certified English translations of all medical and police certificates. This includes police certificates that record no convictions.
Note
If your other evidence is not in English, you should provide a translated copy, as this will help us to process your application faster.
Our requirements for translated documents
Immigration New Zealand does not translate documents on behalf of visa applicants. You must pay for certified translations.
Who can complete a certified translation
You can provide certified translations completed by:
- reputable private or official translation businesses
- community members known for their accurate translations.
We do not accept translations completed by the applicant, family members, or the immigration adviser assisting with your application.
We will accept translations from a licensed immigration adviser (LIA) who is:
- a trustworthy person within the community
- known to translate documents accurately
- not an adviser on the application.
Using the English spelling of the name in your passport
Check your passport to see if it has your name written in English. Ask your translator to use this spelling when they translate your documents.
If a translator used a different spelling of your name in your translated documents, then include this spelling of your name in the 'other names' section of the visa application form.
Include your 'other names' in the application form
We need to know if you have used other names that are in your translated documents.
For example, if:
- you have a different birth name, or name from a marriage or adoption
- you have other passports with a different name
- the translator used a different name or spelling when translating your documents into English.
In your visa application form, enter all other names that you have used in the section called 'other names'.
Check your translated document
Each translation must:
- be on the translation business’s official letterhead, if possible
- certified as a correct translation by the translator
- stamped or signed by the translator or translation business.
Submitting your original foreign language documents
When you apply for your visa, the supporting documents that you provide us are the:
- original document in a foreign language, and
- a certified English translation of the document.
How you provide the documents depends on if you are applying online or on a paper form.
If applying online, make sure all scanned copies are clear and readable.We may not need an original document or its certified copy in the following situations:
- if we asked for uncertified copies in our form or guide
- if you submitted a legible scan of the original document in the online form
- if you submitted a legible copy of the original document for a temporary entry visa.
When we process your application, we will contact you if we need you to send us a document.
File formats for uploading documents and photos
All documents uploaded must be PDFs and all images must be JPEG or JPG.Documents must be in PDF format
All documents you upload must be in a PDF format and as a single file. For example, if your bank statement is 4 pages, it must be uploaded as a single file and not 4 separate files. Try to avoid uploading multiple copies of the same document.
To merge pages, you can paste documents into a Microsoft Word document and save it as a PDF or use an online PDF merging tool.
Alert
Password protected or compressed files will be rejected by Immigration Online.
Creating PDF documents — wikihow.com
Reducing PDF document file size — wikihow.com
Merging PDF documents — wikihow.com
Passports and travel documents
If you are uploading a copy of your passport or travel document, it should clearly show your information page. This is the page with your photo, name, date of birth and document details such as your passport number and issuing location.
If you are applying for a Permanent Resident Visa, Second or Subsequent Resident Visa, Transit Visa or a variation of travel conditions for a resident visa
Each person included in your application will be asked to upload a scan of the information page of their passport or travel document at the beginning of the application.
The scan should only include the passport information page. You can upload a separate scan of any other required passport pages in the 'Supporting documents' section of the application.
Make sure the scan of the passport information page:
- is high-quality
- can be easily read including all your personal details
- includes the MRZ code - the string of characters on the bottom of the information page of your passport
- does not have any glare or discolouration.
Document size
Check the document file size requirements in the form you are completing. Make sure the documents you upload are not larger than what is allowed.
Photographs must be in JPG or JPEG format
You need to upload a photo of yourself showing a full-front view of your face as part of your application. Visa photos have specific requirements such as no smiling and no hair covering your face.
Face image
You are required to upload a photo showing a full-front view of your face as part of the application.
If you need to convert your photo to the JPG or JPEG format before you upload it, read the instructions on the wikiHow website.
Organise proof you have a study pathway, an offer of a place, and can pay your tuition fees
Gather the documents to show that you have been offered a study pathway by a pathway education provider, and a place on a course by an approved education provider.
If you are a returning student, you will need to provide confirmation of enrolment.
You will also need to show that you have either paid your tuition fees, have the ability to do so, or are not required to pay tuition fees.
Organise work-related information and permissions
Where applicable, gather the documents you will need to show that:
- practical work experience is part of your course of study
- you have permission to work while in New Zealand
- you can work full-time in your holidays.
Organise proof of identity, citizenship and age
If you need a new passport, allow yourself enough time to get it.
When you apply, make sure you enter your identity details exactly as they appear on your passport or certificate of identity.
Alert
If there are any mistakes in your identity details, your application may be delayed. We may also decline your application or refuse you entry to New Zealand.
Make sure your photos are acceptable for a New Zealand visa.
Visa and NZeTA photos
Your photo must be less than 6 months old and clearly identify you. It must also meet all of our technical requirements.Meeting our photo requirements
If your photo does not meet all of our requirements we will ask you for a new photo.
If you are applying for a visa, we will stop processing your application until we receive an acceptable photo. If you are requesting an NZeTA, your request may be delayed or refused.
Visa and NZeTA photos are not passport photos
Use the photo examples on this page to check your photo is correct and meets our requirements.
Alert
Do not use the New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs website or other online tools to check your photo as those tools are for passport photos only.
Using a professional photographer
Your photo is more likely to be accepted if you use a professional photographer or business that takes passport photos. Give the photographer our instructions to make sure you get a photo that meets our requirements.
Paper applications for visas
The photo you submit with a paper application must be 35 mm wide and 45 mm high. Further instructions are on the paper application forms.
Note
You can only apply for an NZeTA online.
Online applications for visas
The photo you submit with an online application must be:
- between 500 KB and 3 MB
- between 900 x 1,200 pixels and 2,250 x 3,000 pixels, and
- a JPG or JPEG file.
Alert
We are unlikely to accept your photo if it is not the right size.
Online requests for NZeTAs
If you request an NZeTA using the web app, you can either upload an existing photo or take one using your device's camera.
If you use the mobile app, you can only take a photo using your device's camera.
Your photo must be:
- less than 10 MB, and
- a JPG or JPEG file.
If you take a photo with your device, the camera must have a minimum resolution of 540 x 720 pixels. Large photos will be automatically formatted.
Online photo error messages
If there is an issue with your photo you will receive an error message when you submit your visa or NZeTA photo online. To help you, we have provided a list of online errors and how to fix them.
Taking your visa photo
Your photo must:
Be in portrait, not landscape
Be of you, not a photo of a photo or your travel document
Have even lighting with minimal shadowing
Be in colour, showing natural skin tones
Be in focus, not blurry
Not contain red-eye
Be an original photo, not changed by photo-editing software
Not be a selfie
Be taken 1.5 metres from the face
Be taken against a plain, light-coloured — but not white — background with no patterns or objects
Only contain plain clothing patterns
Be of one person
We need to clearly see your face
Face the camera and keep your head straight
Keep your eyes open and mouth closed
Do not smile or frown
Show your face clearly and that long hair is tucked behind your ears
Position yourself in the middle of the photo
Remove sunglasses and hats
If you wear prescription glasses
Make sure your eyes show clearly through the lenses, with no reflected light
It may be easier to remove them.
If you wear a head covering for religious or medical reasons
Make sure that your face and hairline can be seen in the photo
Book medical appointments, if required
If you have determined that you need a chest X-ray or medical examination, book an appointment.
How to get an X-ray or medical examination
If you need a chest X-ray or medical examination for your visa application, you will need to make a doctor's appointment and take any relevant documents with you. You will need to provide evidence of your medical results in your application.Process overview
- Prepare your visa application as much as you can — check if you need an X-ray or medical examination and when.
- If you need an X-ray or examination, make an appointment.
- Get all the things you need for your appointment ready.
- Go to your appointment. The doctor may need you to take other tests — that can take more time.
- Provide evidence of your X-ray or medical examination results in your application.
- Get your results. You can share them with your immigration advisor.
Note
Your chest X-ray and medical examination results must be no more than 3 months old when we get your application.1. Check if you need a chest X-ray or medical examination
You can check the situations where you need an X-ray or medical examination, and the different types of examinations.
Who needs an X-ray or medical examination
If you need a medical examination, you normally get a 'general medical examination' unless you need a limited medical examination. A general medical examination is sometimes called a 'full medical examination'.
For some visas, you must have a chest X-ray, a medical examination or both before you apply.
For an Accredited Employer Work Visa or a Visitor Visa, we will let you know after you submit your application if you need a chest X-ray or medical examination.
2. Make an appointment
If you need a chest X-ray or medical examination, you must visit a doctor or radiologist from our list of 'panel physicians' — unless there are no panel physicians in your country.
Panel physicians are doctors and radiologists approved to complete chest X-rays and medical examinations for New Zealand visa applications.
Check if there is a panel physician in your country.
Doctors who can do examinations
If there is a panel physician in your country
You must visit a panel physician.
- Contact a panel physician to make an appointment for your chest X-ray or medical examination.
- Tell them it is for an Immigration New Zealand application and what visa you are applying for.
- Tell them the type of medical examination you need.
- You can ask the clinic about the costs when you make your appointment.
If there is no panel physician in your country
You can use any registered doctor.
- Contact your doctor to make an appointment for your X-ray or medical examination.
- Tell them it is for an Immigration New Zealand application.
- Tell them the type of medical examination you need.
- You can ask them about the costs when you make your appointment.
- Make sure you have a printed medical certificate form for the examination you need, and 3 passport sized photos.
If you are in New Zealand and only need a chest X-ray
You must visit a panel medical clinic who will refer you to a panel radiology clinic.
- Find a panel medical clinic from the list of approved panel physicians.
- Tell the clinic what type of visa you are applying for, and that you need a chest X-ray only.
- You will normally need to visit the clinic. Bring an identity document.
- The clinic will create a case for you and refer you to a panel radiology clinic.
Note
If there are other people on your application, they will each need an appointment.
If you are menstruating (having a period), you need to wait until your period finishes before having your medical examination. You cannot have your medical examination during your period because the blood can affect your urine test.
For an Accredited Employer Work Visa or Visitor Visa, if we need you to have a chest X-ray or medical examination, we give you an Immigration New Zealand health case reference number (NZHR). Give the NZHR to the clinic when you make your appointment.
Finding your eMedical and INZ health case reference numbers
Bringing someone with you to the appointment
You can bring a family member, support person or interpreter to your appointment.
Let the clinic know when you make your appointment if you are bringing someone with you.
If you are having a physical examination, you can ask the clinic for a chaperone. The clinic must have chaperones available.
3. Get what you need for your appointment
Have the following ready to bring to your appointment:
- an identity document
- your glasses or contact lenses if you use them
- a list of any medication you are taking, including dosage
- any relevant medical reports or X-rays
- other documents you need if you are not visiting a panel physician, or if you are using an immigration adviser.
Identity documents for X-rays and medical examinations
Note
If you are 17 years or under, you need your parent or legal guardian to come with you.
If you are visiting a doctor that is not a panel physician
If you are visiting any registered doctor because there are no panel physicians in your country, you need to also bring:
- 3 recent passport-sized photos less than 6 months old — you only need 1 photo if you are having a chest X-ray and not a medical examination, and
- a printed copy of the required medical certificate form for your doctor to complete and send to us.
Get the medical certificate form you need:
If you are using a licensed immigration adviser
You need to also bring a completed 'Immigration Adviser Details' form to give to the clinic.
4. Go to your appointment
Authority to collect medical information
At your medical appointment, you must sign a form to allow the doctor to send your medical information to us.
If you are 17 or younger, your parent or guardian must sign the form for you.
If your doctor is using eMedical, they will give you an eMedical client consent and declaration form to sign. You can read the form before your appointment:
What happens at the medical examination
There are 3 parts to the medical examination:
- medical history and physical examination
- urine and blood tests
- chest X-ray, if required.
The doctor checks your height, weight, mental state, hearing and vision, listens to your heart and lungs, feels your abdomen and checks your reflexes and other parts of your nervous system.
A nurse or health care assistant may complete parts of the examination.
You will need to:
- remove some items of clothing for the physical examination
- provide a urine sample during the medical examination
- get blood tests, and possibly a chest X-ray or other tests if needed — the clinic will tell you if you need these, and you may need to go to different places to get some tests done.
Paying for your medical examination
You must pay any costs related to your X-ray and medical examinations.
Note
Ask the clinic about the costs when you make your appointment.
5. Provide evidence of your results in your application
In your visa application, you need to provide evidence of your X-ray or examination results.
To show you had an examination you can either:
- tell us the eMedical reference code from your panel physician — we will get your results electronically (this is the quickest way)
- tell us the name of the clinic where you had the medical examination, or
- give us a copy of the completed medical certificate, if you did not visit a panel physician — the doctor will normally send your medical certificate to us, but you can ask them for a copy.
6. How to get your results
To get a copy of your results you can ask the doctor when you have your examination, or any time afterwards.
You can ask for email notifications. If you do, you will receive an email when your physician sends us your results. You cannot reply to this email.
If you have any questions about your results, discuss these with your doctor.
If you need a copy of your results
You can ask the clinic for a copy of your medical examination results.
Once we receive your results you can also contact us if you want a copy of them.
Sharing your medical information with an immigration adviser
If you have an immigration adviser, and would like them to be able to see and ask questions about your medical information, you need to:
- complete an ‘Immigration Adviser Details’ form and take it with you to your medical examination
- ask for copies of your results at your examination and give these to your immigration adviser when you receive them.
Your privacy
The panel physicians who use eMedical must agree to protect your personal information to meet New Zealand privacy laws.
Your information is sent to us using a secure online channel and is available only to us and the clinic where you were examined.
If you have any privacy concerns, you can contact us.
For your application, you will need to provide the:
-
reference code from the clinic submitting your health information - name of the clinic submitting your health information, if there is no eMedical reference code, or
- medical certificate, chest X-ray certificate, or both if the clinic gave these to you.
Note
Evidence of a chest X-ray or medical examination must be less than 3 months old when we receive it. Allow yourself enough time to get this.
Apply for police certificates, if required
Check if you will need to include police certificates with your visa application.
Character requirements for New Zealand visas
To be given a New Zealand visa, you must be of good character. If you have a criminal history, have provided false or misleading information, or could be a risk to New Zealand, we can decline your application.Being of good character
Anyone applying for a New Zealand visa must meet the character requirements.
When you apply, you must tell us about any issues or activities, both current and in your past, that could affect our decision, including whether you have been:
- involved in criminal or human rights abuse activities, or
- removed or deported from another country.
If there is an issue, we may:
- decline your application, or
- give you a
or a which waive (remove) the requirements.
You can request a character waiver or special direction when you apply. If your request is approved, we can give you a visa if your application meets all other requirements.
Visas are given by special direction only in rare circumstances.
Providing police certificates
You may need to provide us with police certificates to show your good character. Whether you need to give these certificates depends on how long you plan to stay in New Zealand and the visa you are applying for.
If you do, use the tool to find out how to get police certificates in different countries.
How to get a police certificate
Police certificates
When you apply for a visa, you may need to provide us with a police certificate to show that you are of good character.About police certificates
Depending on the visa you want, and how long you plan to stay in New Zealand, you may need to provide a police certificate as evidence of your good character.
Police certificates are documents issued by the police or a government agency. They:
- provide information about any criminal record you have
- are based on official records and checks
- are also sometimes called criminal checks, police clearance certificates or penal records.
If we ask you to provide a police certificate, you must:
- make sure the police certificate is less than 6 months old when you submit your visa application
- provide us with a translation, if it is not in English.
Providing English translations supporting documents
Find out how to get a police certificate
- are a citizen of, and
- have lived in for more than 5 years since you turned 17.
- any country you are a citizen of
- any other country where you spent 12 months or more over the last 10 years — even if those 12 months were not all in one stay.
- must provide police certificates, if you are applying for a resident visa
- may be asked to provide police certificates, if you are applying for a temporary visa to work or visit.
Applying for a visitor, student or work visa You must provide police certificates if your total time in New Zealand will be 24 months or longer across all visits. This includes any time you have spent in New Zealand in the past on other visas, even if you have been out of the country since then.
Provide police certificates from any country you:
If you are aged 16 or younger, you do not need to provide police certificates.
If you have a criminal record, we may still be able to grant you a visa. You can provide an explanation of your criminal record when you apply, and we will decide if you meet our good character requirements.
Applying for a resident visa You must provide police certificates if you are aged 17 or older.
Provide police certificates from:
Police certificates must show any criminal records you have had at any time in any of these countries — not only in the last 10 years.
If you have a criminal record, we may still be able to give you a visa. You can provide an explanation of your criminal record when you apply, and we will decide if you meet our good character requirements.
Partners supporting your application If you apply for a visa as the partner of a New Zealander or a New Zealand visa holder, your partner is known as the 'supporting partner'.
Your supporting partner must be able to show us they are of good character. They may need to provide police certificates for proof.
If your supporting partner is a New Zealand citizen or has a resident visa, they:
If your partner needs to provide police certificates, the police certificates must be from countries where they have spent 12 months or more over the last 10 years, since they turned 17 — even if the 12 months were not all in one stay.
Police certificates must show any criminal records they have had at any time in any of these countries — not only in the last 10 years.
Note
Your partner does not need to provide a New Zealand police certificate, as we will get one directly from the authorities.
If your supporting partner has a temporary visa to work or study
If your supporting partner has a work or study visa, we may ask your partner to provide police certificates, if you are applying for a temporary visa.
Your partner will not meet our character requirements if they have any convictions for
or sexual offences in the last 7 years, whether in New Zealand or in other countries. If your partner cannot prove good character
If your supporting partner cannot prove they are of good character, we may give them a
. This would mean your partner would still be able to support your visa application. If your partner has any convictions for domestic violence or sexual offences, they cannot support your application.
For all types of visa applications, we still may request police certificates from your partner to make sure they meet our character requirements.
If you have provided police certificates before
You may not need to provide police certificates if you have provided them in a previous visa application. Check the character requirements of the visa you are applying for.
Fingerprinting for police certificates
Some of the authorities that issue police certificates (the police and other government agencies) may require a set of fingerprints when you request a police certificate.
If you do need a set of fingerprints to get a police certificate, check in your region for a fingerprinting service. There are many private businesses who offer fingerprinting services.
If you cannot find a fingerprinting service in your region, you can contact the New Zealand Police to see if they can help. They only offer this service in some regions and on specific days. Contact them to check availability before going to a police station.
Note
Your police certificates must be less than 6 months old when you submit your application. Allow yourself enough time to get these certificates.
Organise proof of guardianship
Where the student will be accompanied, have the necessary documents to prove the parent or legal guardian is responsible for the applicant in their home country.
Organise proof you have enough money to live on
Gather the documents you need to prove you have enough money to cover your living expenses while you are in New Zealand, or an acceptable sponsor or guarantor.
If you have a sponsor, make sure you get a copy of their completed 'Sponsorship Form for Temporary Entry'.
Sponsorship process for a visa
If you have a guarantor, make sure you get a copy of their completed 'Financial Undertaking for a Student’ form.
Organise proof you can leave New Zealand
Evidence can be a plane ticket, proof you have the money to buy one, or agreement that your sponsor will pay for any onward travel.
Organise proof of medical and travel insurance
Documents you can show us include:
- a copy of your insurance certificate
- a letter from your insurance company.
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Step 3: Submit your application and pay the fee
To apply online, log in to your account or set up an account if you do not have one already.
Apply online, upload your documents and pay the applicable fees.
Check the 'How to pay and submit' section for fees.
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Step 4: Wait for our decision
We will let you know if we need more information to process your application.
Check the 'How to pay and submit' section for timeframes.
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Step 5: Check your application status
Log in to your account to check the status of your application.
Checking your visa application status
We will email you when we make a decision.
If we approve your application, we will give you an eVisa and send you a copy.
Note
If you are already in New Zealand, you must have a valid visa. If your current temporary visa is going to expire while you are waiting for our decision, we will normally issue you an Interim Visa to let you stay in New Zealand lawfully.
Check the 'While you are in New Zealand' section to find out what you can and cannot do when you come to New Zealand.
How to apply on paper
Follow these steps to complete your application online.
Note
An application containing all the documents we need will help prevent delays.
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Step 1: Have a study pathway and offer of a place
Before you can apply, you will need to have been offered a valid study pathway by a pathway education provider or providers, and a place on a course by an
. Pathway Student Visa information
A Pathway Student Visa is for international students who want to study up to 3 programmes of study, one after the other, on a single visa.Pathway Student Visa for international students
The Pathway Student Visa is a pilot project, which allows international students to study up to 3 courses, one after the other, on a single student visa for up to 5 years. The visa is only available for study with approved Pathway Education Providers and for some courses of study.
Current status of this pilot
There is no date set for when the Pathway Student Visa will be reviewed, or when new education providers will be able to be added.
Existing Pathway Student Visa providers can continue to support applications for a Pathway Student Visa. We realise that the Pathway Student Visa is a popular product, and that many providers are eager to join. We will update this page when we have more information.
What students can do on this visa
Students can:
- stay for up to 5 years
- study up to 3 courses, one after the other on a single student visa
- work part time for up to 20 hours a week while they are studying and full time in the holidays, depending on their course of study.
How it works for students
Pathway Student Visas are given for up to 5 years, long enough for students to complete their planned qualifications.
To stay in New Zealand on a Pathway Student Visa, students still need to meet the pre-requisites for any second and third courses on their study pathway.
Benefits for education providers
The Pathway Student Visa:
- reduces cost and hassle
- provides certainty for students and their families
- lets students concentrate on their studies rather than having to worry about visa applications, and
- makes the transition between courses of study smoother.
At this time, Immigration New Zealand is not accepting new education providers for this visa.
Pathway education providers
You can only apply for a Pathway Student Visa if you have an offer from one or more pathway education providers taking part in the Pathway Student Visa pilot. The pilot is available to selected primary, secondary and tertiary providers.
Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics
- Ara Institute of Canterbury
- Otago Polytechnic
- Unitec Institute of Technology
- Universal College of Learning (UCOL)
- Waikato Institute of Technology
- Wellington Institute of Technology
Private Training Establishments
- ABC College of English
- Air Hawke's Bay Ltd
- Air New Zealand Aviation Institute
- Airways Training Centre
- Alpha Educational Institute
- Ardmore Flying School
- Aspiring Language Institute
- Auckland Edinburgh College
- Auckland English Academy
- Bay of Plenty English Language School
- Bridge International College Limited
- Canterbury International College
- Christchurch College of English Limited
- Coromandel Outdoor Language Centre
- Dominion English Schools
- Duke Institute of Studies Limited
- Eagle Flight Training Limited
- Eastwest College of Intercultural Studies
- EcoQuest Education Foundation
- EF International Language Schools Limited
- English Advantage
- English Teaching College
- Freedom Institute of Higher Education
- Good Shepherd College - Te Hepara Pai
- International Aviation Academy of New Zealand Limited
- IPU New Zealand
- Kaplan International Colleges
- Kingston Institute of Business and Technology
- Kiwi English Academy Limited
- Language Schools New Zealand
- Languages International Limited
- Media Design School
- Mount Maunganui Language Centre
- Nelson Aviation College Limited
- Nelson English Centre Ltd
- New Horizon College of English
- New Zealand College of Business
- New Zealand College of Chiropractic
- New Zealand Drama School (Toi Whakaari)
- New Zealand Languages Centres
- New Zealand School of Dance
- New Zealand School of Food and Wine Limited
- New Zealand School of Tourism
- New Zealand Tertiary College
- North Shore Language School
- NZ School of Acupuncture & TCM
- Pacific International Hotel Management School Limited
- Premier Institute of Education
- Queenstown Resort College
- Rotorua English Language Academy
- Seafield School of English Limited
- Southern Lakes English College
- St John's Theological College
- Stellaris PTE Ltd
- Taylors College and Embassy CES
- Te Wananga o Aotearoa (DynaSpeak)
- The Campbell Institute - Capital Language Academy
- The International Travel College of New Zealand Limited
- UCIC
- Unique New Zealand
- Whitecliffe College of Arts and Design
- Worldwide School of English
- Yoobee Colleges Limited
Schools
- ACG Parnell College
- ACG Strathallan
- ACG Sunderland
- ACG Tauranga (Tauranga)
- Aquinas College (Tauranga)
- Ashburton College (Ashburton)
- Auckland Girls' Grammar School
- Auckland Grammar
- Avondale College (Auckland)
- Bayfield High School
- Bethlehem College (Tauranga)
- Botany Downs Secondary College (Auckland)
- Brookfield School
- Burnside High School
- Cambridge High School (Cambridge)
- Carmel College
- Cashmere High School (Christchurch)
- Cashmere Primary School (Christchurch)
- Christchurch Boys' High School
- Christchurch Girls' High School
- Cobham Intermediate
- Columba College
- Craighead Diocesan School (Timaru)
- Darfield High School
- Diocesan School for Girls
- Farm Cove Intermediate
- Freyberg High School
- Garin College (Nelson)
- Gisborne Girls' High School
- Gladstone School (Auckland)
- Glendowie College
- Glendowie School
- Glenfield College
- Greenpark School (Tauranga)
- Halswell School (Christchurch)
- Hamilton Boys' High School
- Hastings Girls' High School (Hastings)
- Hillcrest High School
- Hillmorton High School
- Hobsonville Point Secondary School (Auckland)
- Howick College
- Hutt Valley High School (Wellington)
- Iona College
- John Paul College (Rotorua)
- Kaipara College
- Kamo High School (Whangarei)
- Kapiti College
- Katikati College (Katikati)
- Kerikeri High School
- King's High School (Dunedin)
- Kingsway School (Auckland)
- Kirkwood Intermediate (Christchurch)
- Lincoln High School
- Lincoln Primary School (Christchurch)
- Lindisfarne College (Hastings)
- Lynfield College
- Middleton Grange School
- Mount Hutt College
- Mt Maunganui College (Mt Maunganui)
- Mt Roskill Grammar
- Napier Boys' High School
- Nayland College
- New Plymouth Boys' High School (New Plymouth)
- New Plymouth Girls' High School (New Plymouth)
- Newlands College
- Northcote College
- Northcross Intermediate
- Onehunga High School
- Onslow College
- Otago Boys' High School (Dunedin)
- Otago Girls' High School
- Otaki College (Otaki)
- Otumoetai Intermediate
- Pakuranga College
- Palmerston North Boys' High School (Palmerston North)
- Palmerston North Girls' High School (Palmerston North)
- Papanui High School
- Pillans Point School (Tauranga)
- Pinehurst School (Auckland)
- Pukekohe High School (Pukekohe
- Queen Charlotte College
- Queen Margaret College
- Queens High School
- Rangi Ruru Girls' School (Christchurch)
- Rangiora High School (Rangiora)
- Rangitoto College
- Rathkeale College
- Rodney College
- Roncalli College
- Rosehill College
- Rotorua Boys' High School
- Rotorua Lakes High School
- Sacred Heart College (Auckland)
- Sacred Heart Girls' College (Hamilton)
- Samuel Marsden Collegiate School (Wellington)
- Scots College
- Selwyn College
- Somerville Intermediate School (Auckland)
- Southland Girls' High School (Invercargill)
- Southwell School (Hamilton)
- Spotswood College (New Plymouth)
- St Andrew's College
- St Bede’s College
- St Catherine's College (Wellington)
- St Cuthbert's College (Auckland)
- St Dominic's College (Auckland)
- St Hilda’s Collegiate
- St Kevin’s College (Oamaru)
- St Mary's College (Ponsonby)
- Taranaki Diocesan school for Girls (Stratford)
- St Patrick's College (Wellington)
- St Paul's Collegiate (Hamilton)
- St Peter's School (Cambridge)
- Tahatai Coast School (Papamoa)
- Takapuna Grammar School
- Taradale High School (Napier)
- Tauhara College
- Tauranga Boys' College (Tauranga)
- Tauranga Intermediate (Tauranga)
- Tauriko School (Tauranga)
- Te Akau Ki Papamoa Primary (Tauranga)
- Te Puke High School (Te Puke)
- Timaru Boys' High School (Timaru)
- Timaru Girls' High School (Timaru)
- Trinity Catholic College (Dunedin)
- UP International College New Zealand
- Upper Hutt College
- Waiheke High School (Waiheke Island)
- Waihi College
- Waikato Diocesan School for Girls (Hamilton)
- Waimea College
- Wairarapa College (Masterton)
- Waiuku College
- Wakatipu High School
- Wellington East Girls' College (Wellington)
- Wellington Girls' College
- Wellington High School
- Western Heights High School (Rotorua)
- Western Springs College (Auckland)
- Westlake Boys' High School (Auckland)
- Westlake Girls' High School
- Westland High School
- Whakatane High School (Whakatane)
- Whanganui High School (Whanganui)
- William Colenso College
Universities
- Auckland University of Technology
- Lincoln University
- Massey University
- University of Auckland
- University of Auckland - English Language Academy
- University of Canterbury
- University of Otago
- University of Waikato
- Victoria University of Wellington
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Step 2: Gather your documents
The section 'Who can apply' explains the requirements for this visa and what you will need as proof.
Our Student Visa Guide can also help. This is available in languages other than English.
Get documents translated
For you application you must provide:
- certified translations of police and medical certificates that are not in English
- copies of the original documents.
Note
If your other evidence is not in English, you can provide a translated copy to help prevent delays with processing.
Documents must be translated by someone who meets our requirements for providing English translations.
Providing English translations of supporting documents
Check the requirements of the visa you are applying for. Provide certified translations of your documents to avoid delays processing your application.Check the visa application requirements
Residence visa applications
All supporting documents submitted with your resident visa application must be provided in English or include an English translation.
Visitor visa applications
Visitor visa requirements are changing
From 26 May 2025, supporting document translations for visitor visa applications will no longer need to be certified.
Changes to certification requirements for translations of visitor visa supporting documentsExamples of documents that require full translation include:
- proof of funds — such as bank statements, pay records (proof of funds must be fully translated, partial translations may not be accepted)
- flight itineraries including return tickets
- proof of employment in your home country
- leave of absence documentation
- identity documents other than passports — for example, Hukou for Chinese nationals.
All other visa applications
You must provide us with full certified English translations of all medical and police certificates. This includes police certificates that record no convictions.
Note
If your other evidence is not in English, you should provide a translated copy, as this will help us to process your application faster.
Our requirements for translated documents
Immigration New Zealand does not translate documents on behalf of visa applicants. You must pay for certified translations.
Who can complete a certified translation
You can provide certified translations completed by:
- reputable private or official translation businesses
- community members known for their accurate translations.
We do not accept translations completed by the applicant, family members, or the immigration adviser assisting with your application.
We will accept translations from a licensed immigration adviser (LIA) who is:
- a trustworthy person within the community
- known to translate documents accurately
- not an adviser on the application.
Using the English spelling of the name in your passport
Check your passport to see if it has your name written in English. Ask your translator to use this spelling when they translate your documents.
If a translator used a different spelling of your name in your translated documents, then include this spelling of your name in the 'other names' section of the visa application form.
Include your 'other names' in the application form
We need to know if you have used other names that are in your translated documents.
For example, if:
- you have a different birth name, or name from a marriage or adoption
- you have other passports with a different name
- the translator used a different name or spelling when translating your documents into English.
In your visa application form, enter all other names that you have used in the section called 'other names'.
Check your translated document
Each translation must:
- be on the translation business’s official letterhead, if possible
- certified as a correct translation by the translator
- stamped or signed by the translator or translation business.
Submitting your original foreign language documents
When you apply for your visa, the supporting documents that you provide us are the:
- original document in a foreign language, and
- a certified English translation of the document.
How you provide the documents depends on if you are applying online or on a paper form.
If applying online, make sure all scanned copies are clear and readable.We may not need an original document or its certified copy in the following situations:
- if we asked for uncertified copies in our form or guide
- if you submitted a legible scan of the original document in the online form
- if you submitted a legible copy of the original document for a temporary entry visa.
When we process your application, we will contact you if we need you to send us a document.
Organise proof you have a study pathway, an offer of a place, and can pay your tuition fees
Gather the documents to show that you have been offered a study pathway by a pathway education provider, and a place on a course by an approved education provider.
If you are a returning student, you will need to provide confirmation of enrolment.
You will also need to show that you have either paid your tuition fees, have the ability to do so, or are not required to pay tuition fees.
Organise work-related information and permissions
Where applicable, gather the documents you will need to show that:
- practical work experience is part of your course of study
- you have permission to work while in New Zealand
- you can work full-time in your holidays.
Organise proof of identity, citizenship and age
If you need a new passport, allow yourself enough time to get it.
When you apply, make sure you enter your identity details exactly as they appear on your passport or certificate of identity.
Alert
If there are any mistakes in your identity details, your application may be delayed. We may also decline your application or refuse you entry to New Zealand.
Make sure your photos are acceptable for a New Zealand visa.
Visa and NZeTA photos
Your photo must be less than 6 months old and clearly identify you. It must also meet all of our technical requirements.Meeting our photo requirements
If your photo does not meet all of our requirements we will ask you for a new photo.
If you are applying for a visa, we will stop processing your application until we receive an acceptable photo. If you are requesting an NZeTA, your request may be delayed or refused.
Visa and NZeTA photos are not passport photos
Use the photo examples on this page to check your photo is correct and meets our requirements.
Alert
Do not use the New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs website or other online tools to check your photo as those tools are for passport photos only.
Using a professional photographer
Your photo is more likely to be accepted if you use a professional photographer or business that takes passport photos. Give the photographer our instructions to make sure you get a photo that meets our requirements.
Paper applications for visas
The photo you submit with a paper application must be 35 mm wide and 45 mm high. Further instructions are on the paper application forms.
Note
You can only apply for an NZeTA online.
Online applications for visas
The photo you submit with an online application must be:
- between 500 KB and 3 MB
- between 900 x 1,200 pixels and 2,250 x 3,000 pixels, and
- a JPG or JPEG file.
Alert
We are unlikely to accept your photo if it is not the right size.
Online requests for NZeTAs
If you request an NZeTA using the web app, you can either upload an existing photo or take one using your device's camera.
If you use the mobile app, you can only take a photo using your device's camera.
Your photo must be:
- less than 10 MB, and
- a JPG or JPEG file.
If you take a photo with your device, the camera must have a minimum resolution of 540 x 720 pixels. Large photos will be automatically formatted.
Online photo error messages
If there is an issue with your photo you will receive an error message when you submit your visa or NZeTA photo online. To help you, we have provided a list of online errors and how to fix them.
Taking your visa photo
Your photo must:
Be in portrait, not landscape
Be of you, not a photo of a photo or your travel document
Have even lighting with minimal shadowing
Be in colour, showing natural skin tones
Be in focus, not blurry
Not contain red-eye
Be an original photo, not changed by photo-editing software
Not be a selfie
Be taken 1.5 metres from the face
Be taken against a plain, light-coloured — but not white — background with no patterns or objects
Only contain plain clothing patterns
Be of one person
We need to clearly see your face
Face the camera and keep your head straight
Keep your eyes open and mouth closed
Do not smile or frown
Show your face clearly and that long hair is tucked behind your ears
Position yourself in the middle of the photo
Remove sunglasses and hats
If you wear prescription glasses
Make sure your eyes show clearly through the lenses, with no reflected light
It may be easier to remove them.
If you wear a head covering for religious or medical reasons
Make sure that your face and hairline can be seen in the photo
Book medical appointments, if required
If you have determined that you need a chest X-ray or medical examination, book an appointment.
How to get an X-ray or medical examination
If you need a chest X-ray or medical examination for your visa application, you will need to make a doctor's appointment and take any relevant documents with you. You will need to provide evidence of your medical results in your application.Process overview
- Prepare your visa application as much as you can — check if you need an X-ray or medical examination and when.
- If you need an X-ray or examination, make an appointment.
- Get all the things you need for your appointment ready.
- Go to your appointment. The doctor may need you to take other tests — that can take more time.
- Provide evidence of your X-ray or medical examination results in your application.
- Get your results. You can share them with your immigration advisor.
Note
Your chest X-ray and medical examination results must be no more than 3 months old when we get your application.1. Check if you need a chest X-ray or medical examination
You can check the situations where you need an X-ray or medical examination, and the different types of examinations.
Who needs an X-ray or medical examination
If you need a medical examination, you normally get a 'general medical examination' unless you need a limited medical examination. A general medical examination is sometimes called a 'full medical examination'.
For some visas, you must have a chest X-ray, a medical examination or both before you apply.
For an Accredited Employer Work Visa or a Visitor Visa, we will let you know after you submit your application if you need a chest X-ray or medical examination.
2. Make an appointment
If you need a chest X-ray or medical examination, you must visit a doctor or radiologist from our list of 'panel physicians' — unless there are no panel physicians in your country.
Panel physicians are doctors and radiologists approved to complete chest X-rays and medical examinations for New Zealand visa applications.
Check if there is a panel physician in your country.
Doctors who can do examinations
If there is a panel physician in your country
You must visit a panel physician.
- Contact a panel physician to make an appointment for your chest X-ray or medical examination.
- Tell them it is for an Immigration New Zealand application and what visa you are applying for.
- Tell them the type of medical examination you need.
- You can ask the clinic about the costs when you make your appointment.
If there is no panel physician in your country
You can use any registered doctor.
- Contact your doctor to make an appointment for your X-ray or medical examination.
- Tell them it is for an Immigration New Zealand application.
- Tell them the type of medical examination you need.
- You can ask them about the costs when you make your appointment.
- Make sure you have a printed medical certificate form for the examination you need, and 3 passport sized photos.
If you are in New Zealand and only need a chest X-ray
You must visit a panel medical clinic who will refer you to a panel radiology clinic.
- Find a panel medical clinic from the list of approved panel physicians.
- Tell the clinic what type of visa you are applying for, and that you need a chest X-ray only.
- You will normally need to visit the clinic. Bring an identity document.
- The clinic will create a case for you and refer you to a panel radiology clinic.
Note
If there are other people on your application, they will each need an appointment.
If you are menstruating (having a period), you need to wait until your period finishes before having your medical examination. You cannot have your medical examination during your period because the blood can affect your urine test.
For an Accredited Employer Work Visa or Visitor Visa, if we need you to have a chest X-ray or medical examination, we give you an Immigration New Zealand health case reference number (NZHR). Give the NZHR to the clinic when you make your appointment.
Finding your eMedical and INZ health case reference numbers
Bringing someone with you to the appointment
You can bring a family member, support person or interpreter to your appointment.
Let the clinic know when you make your appointment if you are bringing someone with you.
If you are having a physical examination, you can ask the clinic for a chaperone. The clinic must have chaperones available.
3. Get what you need for your appointment
Have the following ready to bring to your appointment:
- an identity document
- your glasses or contact lenses if you use them
- a list of any medication you are taking, including dosage
- any relevant medical reports or X-rays
- other documents you need if you are not visiting a panel physician, or if you are using an immigration adviser.
Identity documents for X-rays and medical examinations
Note
If you are 17 years or under, you need your parent or legal guardian to come with you.
If you are visiting a doctor that is not a panel physician
If you are visiting any registered doctor because there are no panel physicians in your country, you need to also bring:
- 3 recent passport-sized photos less than 6 months old — you only need 1 photo if you are having a chest X-ray and not a medical examination, and
- a printed copy of the required medical certificate form for your doctor to complete and send to us.
Get the medical certificate form you need:
If you are using a licensed immigration adviser
You need to also bring a completed 'Immigration Adviser Details' form to give to the clinic.
4. Go to your appointment
Authority to collect medical information
At your medical appointment, you must sign a form to allow the doctor to send your medical information to us.
If you are 17 or younger, your parent or guardian must sign the form for you.
If your doctor is using eMedical, they will give you an eMedical client consent and declaration form to sign. You can read the form before your appointment:
What happens at the medical examination
There are 3 parts to the medical examination:
- medical history and physical examination
- urine and blood tests
- chest X-ray, if required.
The doctor checks your height, weight, mental state, hearing and vision, listens to your heart and lungs, feels your abdomen and checks your reflexes and other parts of your nervous system.
A nurse or health care assistant may complete parts of the examination.
You will need to:
- remove some items of clothing for the physical examination
- provide a urine sample during the medical examination
- get blood tests, and possibly a chest X-ray or other tests if needed — the clinic will tell you if you need these, and you may need to go to different places to get some tests done.
Paying for your medical examination
You must pay any costs related to your X-ray and medical examinations.
Note
Ask the clinic about the costs when you make your appointment.
5. Provide evidence of your results in your application
In your visa application, you need to provide evidence of your X-ray or examination results.
To show you had an examination you can either:
- tell us the eMedical reference code from your panel physician — we will get your results electronically (this is the quickest way)
- tell us the name of the clinic where you had the medical examination, or
- give us a copy of the completed medical certificate, if you did not visit a panel physician — the doctor will normally send your medical certificate to us, but you can ask them for a copy.
6. How to get your results
To get a copy of your results you can ask the doctor when you have your examination, or any time afterwards.
You can ask for email notifications. If you do, you will receive an email when your physician sends us your results. You cannot reply to this email.
If you have any questions about your results, discuss these with your doctor.
If you need a copy of your results
You can ask the clinic for a copy of your medical examination results.
Once we receive your results you can also contact us if you want a copy of them.
Sharing your medical information with an immigration adviser
If you have an immigration adviser, and would like them to be able to see and ask questions about your medical information, you need to:
- complete an ‘Immigration Adviser Details’ form and take it with you to your medical examination
- ask for copies of your results at your examination and give these to your immigration adviser when you receive them.
Your privacy
The panel physicians who use eMedical must agree to protect your personal information to meet New Zealand privacy laws.
Your information is sent to us using a secure online channel and is available only to us and the clinic where you were examined.
If you have any privacy concerns, you can contact us.
For your application, you will need to provide the:
-
reference code from the clinic submitting your health information - name of the clinic submitting your health information, if there is no eMedical reference code, or
- medical certificate, chest X-ray certificate, or both if the clinic gave these to you.
Note
Evidence of a chest X-ray or medical examination must be less than 3 months old when we receive it. Allow yourself enough time to get this.
Apply for police certificates, if required
Check if you will need to include police certificates with your visa application.
Character requirements for New Zealand visas
To be given a New Zealand visa, you must be of good character. If you have a criminal history, have provided false or misleading information, or could be a risk to New Zealand, we can decline your application.Being of good character
Anyone applying for a New Zealand visa must meet the character requirements.
When you apply, you must tell us about any issues or activities, both current and in your past, that could affect our decision, including whether you have been:
- involved in criminal or human rights abuse activities, or
- removed or deported from another country.
If there is an issue, we may:
- decline your application, or
- give you a
or a which waive (remove) the requirements.
You can request a character waiver or special direction when you apply. If your request is approved, we can give you a visa if your application meets all other requirements.
Visas are given by special direction only in rare circumstances.
Providing police certificates
You may need to provide us with police certificates to show your good character. Whether you need to give these certificates depends on how long you plan to stay in New Zealand and the visa you are applying for.
If you do, use the tool to find out how to get police certificates in different countries.
How to get a police certificate
Police certificates
When you apply for a visa, you may need to provide us with a police certificate to show that you are of good character.About police certificates
Depending on the visa you want, and how long you plan to stay in New Zealand, you may need to provide a police certificate as evidence of your good character.
Police certificates are documents issued by the police or a government agency. They:
- provide information about any criminal record you have
- are based on official records and checks
- are also sometimes called criminal checks, police clearance certificates or penal records.
If we ask you to provide a police certificate, you must:
- make sure the police certificate is less than 6 months old when you submit your visa application
- provide us with a translation, if it is not in English.
Providing English translations supporting documents
Find out how to get a police certificate
- are a citizen of, and
- have lived in for more than 5 years since you turned 17.
- any country you are a citizen of
- any other country where you spent 12 months or more over the last 10 years — even if those 12 months were not all in one stay.
- must provide police certificates, if you are applying for a resident visa
- may be asked to provide police certificates, if you are applying for a temporary visa to work or visit.
Applying for a visitor, student or work visa You must provide police certificates if your total time in New Zealand will be 24 months or longer across all visits. This includes any time you have spent in New Zealand in the past on other visas, even if you have been out of the country since then.
Provide police certificates from any country you:
If you are aged 16 or younger, you do not need to provide police certificates.
If you have a criminal record, we may still be able to grant you a visa. You can provide an explanation of your criminal record when you apply, and we will decide if you meet our good character requirements.
Applying for a resident visa You must provide police certificates if you are aged 17 or older.
Provide police certificates from:
Police certificates must show any criminal records you have had at any time in any of these countries — not only in the last 10 years.
If you have a criminal record, we may still be able to give you a visa. You can provide an explanation of your criminal record when you apply, and we will decide if you meet our good character requirements.
Partners supporting your application If you apply for a visa as the partner of a New Zealander or a New Zealand visa holder, your partner is known as the 'supporting partner'.
Your supporting partner must be able to show us they are of good character. They may need to provide police certificates for proof.
If your supporting partner is a New Zealand citizen or has a resident visa, they:
If your partner needs to provide police certificates, the police certificates must be from countries where they have spent 12 months or more over the last 10 years, since they turned 17 — even if the 12 months were not all in one stay.
Police certificates must show any criminal records they have had at any time in any of these countries — not only in the last 10 years.
Note
Your partner does not need to provide a New Zealand police certificate, as we will get one directly from the authorities.
If your supporting partner has a temporary visa to work or study
If your supporting partner has a work or study visa, we may ask your partner to provide police certificates, if you are applying for a temporary visa.
Your partner will not meet our character requirements if they have any convictions for
or sexual offences in the last 7 years, whether in New Zealand or in other countries. If your partner cannot prove good character
If your supporting partner cannot prove they are of good character, we may give them a
. This would mean your partner would still be able to support your visa application. If your partner has any convictions for domestic violence or sexual offences, they cannot support your application.
For all types of visa applications, we still may request police certificates from your partner to make sure they meet our character requirements.
If you have provided police certificates before
You may not need to provide police certificates if you have provided them in a previous visa application. Check the character requirements of the visa you are applying for.
Fingerprinting for police certificates
Some of the authorities that issue police certificates (the police and other government agencies) may require a set of fingerprints when you request a police certificate.
If you do need a set of fingerprints to get a police certificate, check in your region for a fingerprinting service. There are many private businesses who offer fingerprinting services.
If you cannot find a fingerprinting service in your region, you can contact the New Zealand Police to see if they can help. They only offer this service in some regions and on specific days. Contact them to check availability before going to a police station.
Note
Your police certificates must be less than 6 months old when you submit your application. Allow yourself enough time to get these certificates.
Organise proof of guardianship
Where the student will be accompanied, have the necessary documents to prove the parent or legal guardian is responsible for the applicant in their home country.
Organise proof you have enough money to live on
Gather the documents you need to prove you have enough money to cover your living expenses while you are in New Zealand, or an acceptable sponsor or guarantor.
If you have a sponsor, make sure you get a copy of their completed Sponsorship Form for Temporary Entry.
Sponsorship process for a visa
If you have a guarantor, make sure you get a copy of their completed Financial Undertaking for a Student form.
Organise proof you can leave New Zealand
Evidence can be a plane ticket, proof you have the money to buy one, or agreement that your sponsor will pay for any onward travel.
Organise proof of medical and travel insurance
Documents you can show us include:
- a copy of your insurance certificate
- a letter from your insurance company.
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3
Step 3: Complete the application form
Complete the application form and attach all supporting documents.
Check the 'Who can apply' section and use our student visa guide to help you.
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Step 4: Submit your application and pay the fee
You can take your application to a Visa Application Centre (VAC) or post it to them.
Check the 'How to pay and submit' section for fees and where to submit your application.
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Step 5: Wait for our decision
If we need more information to process your application, we will let you know.
We will email you when we make a decision.
Checking your application status
Check the 'How to pay and submit' section for timeframes.
If we approve your application, we will give you an eVisa and email you a copy.
Note
If you are already in New Zealand, you must have a valid visa. If your current temporary visa is going to expire while you are waiting for our decision, we will normally issue you an Interim Visa to let you stay in New Zealand lawfully.
Check the 'While you are in New Zealand' section to find out what you can and cannot do when you come to New Zealand.
How to pay and submit
We cannot display any process or costs information until you have provided your country details.
Enter your details so we can show information that is relevant to you.
When you get your visa
Your visa is valid from:
- the date you enter New Zealand, if you are outside New Zealand when we approve your application, or
- the date you get your visa, if you are already in New Zealand.
You must leave New Zealand before your visa expires.
When you arrive
Entry permission
You must apply for permission to enter New Zealand. You do this by completing a New Zealand Traveller Declaration (NZTD) form.
You can start your digital declaration any time, but the earliest you can submit it is 24 hours before starting your travel to New Zealand.
A paper declaration form is available for travellers who cannot complete it online.
New Zealand Traveller Declaration
New Zealand Customs and Biosecurity also check that you meet their entry requirements.
Alert
You can be refused entry permission if you:
- are not a genuine visitor
- do not meet our character requirements
- have had a change in circumstances since we issued your visa
- refuse to let us take your photo, fingerprints or an iris scan
- cannot provide evidence of any onward travel or the money required to leave New Zealand.
When you travel to New Zealand on a temporary visa, your intentions must be genuine. This means that you: We use all the information we have, including the information you give us in your application, to confirm that you have genuine intentions. Alert You must answer truthfully when you complete your visa application or NZTD. If you are travelling on a visitor visa or visiting from a
If you have a visitor visa for a specific reason, you must be coming to New Zealand for that reason. For example, if you have a Medical Treatment Visitor Visa, your reason for visiting must be getting medical treatment. If you are travelling on a student visa, you must have genuine intentions to study in New Zealand. You can only work if the conditions of your student visa allow you to. If you are travelling to New Zealand to work, you must have a visa that will allow you to. Unless your visa allows you to work in any job, you must plan to work in the job, for the employer, and in the location specified in your visa. You may be asked to provide evidence of your genuine intentions: Here are some examples of evidence to show that you have genuine intentions in coming to New Zealand. To show your travel history, you could show a copy of your current and recent passports, including: If you live in a country that is not your country of citizenship, provide a copy of the visa allowing you to live in that country. If you have ever had a visa application declined by any other country, provide: If you plan to visit family or friends in New Zealand, provide their: Evidence of your travel plans while in New Zealand could include copies of: You may also need to show that you have plans to leave New Zealand at the end of your stay. This evidence could include: If you are applying for a student visa, you could provide evidence that you have: If you do not need to pay tuition fees, or if you can pay by instalment — where you make smaller payments over a period of time — you must provide confirmation from your education provider. You can also write a cover letter or statement of purpose explaining why you want to study in New Zealand. This will help us decide if you are a genuine student. If you are using an education agent or licensed immigration adviser, they cannot write the letter for you. Examples of things you could write about in your letter or statement include: If you plan to apply for another visa — for example, a work visa — after you finish your studies, include this in your cover letter or statement of purpose.
To show that you have genuine intentions to work, you will in most cases need to provide: If your visa requires you to have enough money to live on during your stay, you will need to provide evidence. This could include: Depending on your situation, you may need to provide: We consider each application based on the information and evidence we receive. If you do not provide enough evidence, it may take us longer to process your application, or we may decline your application. You must provide genuine evidence. If you or your agent provide evidence that is false or misleading, we may also decline your application. False, misleading or withheld information in visa applications Check the translation requirements for the visa you are applying for. All non-English documents must be translated when you apply for visitor and resident visas. Providing English translations of supporting documents If you are applying online, make sure your evidence is in an acceptable file format. To decide if your intentions are genuine, we look at: We look at evidence you provide with your application to check that it: When we consider information about your personal circumstances, we look at: We also look at information from your previous applications and travel to New Zealand. This can show us if you have: We might not give you a visa or allow you to enter New Zealand if we:
Genuine intentions to visit, study or work in New Zealand
Before you can get a visa or enter New Zealand to visit, work or study, we check that your reasons for coming here are genuine.
What it means to have 'genuine intentions'
Visitor visas
Student visas
Work visas
Evidence to show you have genuine intentions
Evidence of your travel history
If you live in a different country to your citizenship
Declined visa applications
Evidence you are visiting family or friends
Evidence of your travel plans
Evidence of your study plans
Evidence of your work plans
Evidence you have enough money
Evidence of your home country circumstances
evidence of your relationships with close relatives in your home country
Providing good-quality evidence
How we decide if your intentions are genuine
Evidence you provide with your application
Your personal circumstances
Your previous applications
If we decide your intentions are not genuine
If you have been refused entry to New Zealand and you still want to travel to here, contact the Customer Service Centre for advice. You may need to apply for a visa before you travel here again. Together with your airline or other carrier, we can stop you from travelling to New Zealand if you do not meet our entry requirements — for example, if you cannot provide evidence that you can meet the conditions of your visa. When you arrive we check your identity and other information again before we give you
Alert Having a visa does not guarantee that you will be allowed to enter New Zealand. Your airline or other carrier can be fined if they let you board an aircraft or ship after we have let them know that you cannot travel. We can stop you from travelling to New Zealand if: We can stop you travelling to New Zealand or entering the country if you: We can also refuse to let you travel to or enter New Zealand if you cannot show us evidence to support the conditions of your visa. For example, you cannot show us evidence that you: Genuine intentions to visit, study or work in NZ If your circumstances have changed and you can no longer meet the conditions of your visa we can also refuse to let you enter New Zealand. For example, if your work visa is based on a job offer that has since been withdrawn you will not be allowed to travel to New Zealand on that visa. You cannot come to New Zealand if you do not meet our health and character requirements. For example, you can be refused entry if: You could be refused entry to New Zealand if you:
What might stop you from being allowed to enter New Zealand
Together with your airline or other carrier, we can stop you from travelling to New Zealand if you do not meet our entry requirements. For example, if you cannot provide evidence that you can meet the conditions of your visa.
Why we stop you travelling to or entering New Zealand
Your identity and travel documents
Information you provide to us
Meeting the conditions of your visa
Your character and health
Arriving in New Zealand
While you are in New Zealand
Your visa conditions are recorded in your eVisa.
Attendance and progress
You must study full-time and attend the course at the approved education provider noted on your visa, unless you have a good reason for absences.
You must make satisfactory progress in your studies.
If you want to change your education provider or move to a lower level course, you will need to apply for a new student visa.
If you want to change the course of study at the same education provider, you will need to apply for a ‘variation of conditions’ to continue studying on your Pathway Student Visa.
Travel
If you want to travel in and out of New Zealand, you must have valid
If you are applying from inside New Zealand, we will normally give you multiple-entry travel conditions when we give you this visa.
If you do not have multiple-entry travel conditions and you leave New Zealand, your visa will expire.
Your travel conditions will be recorded on your eVisa.
Work
You may be allowed to work part-time for up to 20 hours a week and full-time during all scheduled holidays and/or the Christmas and New Year holiday period.
You are not allowed to be self-employed. You have to work as an employee with an employment agreement and not as an independent contractor.
You cannot provide commercial sexual services or operate a business that provides these services.
Note
If you are applying for a Pathway Student Visa and the first course of your study pathway gives you work rights, you will be allowed to work in New Zealand for the length of your visa.
If the first course on your study pathway does not give you work rights, but your second or third courses do, you can apply for a ‘variation of conditions’ to allow you to work in New Zealand.
Paying tax
Everyone who has a job in New Zealand pays tax on what they earn. To pay tax, you need an IRD number from Inland Revenue — the New Zealand Government department that collects tax.