New Zealand is slowly but steadily gaining momentum and popularity as a student destination. Complemented by many other factors, the education provided in the country is also qualitative and of superior value.
To study in New Zealand, you will need a Student Visa. It is however required if the duration of course is more than 3 months. It is always helpful to know the visa requirements and the requirements of the institute where you have enrolled.
A student visa is not compulsory is you fulfill certain conditions. You should be a citizen of New Zealand or Australia, or have a NZ residence permit, or you are a holder of a current Australian permanent residence visa. You also do not need the visa if the course is a single short term one of less than 3 months, and the institute is approved or exempted by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA). However if you are going for more than one short term course, you need a student visa.
In case you are going for an exchange program, then you need one, and you also have to meet the health and character requirements. The institute of exchange should confirm that you are a bonafide exchange student, and provide you with a letter of acceptance as proof. You should also possess a proof of onward travel arrangement, so as to affirm that you shall leave as soon as the program ends.
To be eligible for a student visa in New Zealand, you have to confirm admission to an education institute in the country. Also the total fees of the course, and a mention whether it is a part time or full time course. The letter of acceptance from the institute should clearly mention the name of the course and its duration. The course and course provider should meet the New Zealand requirements for foreign students.
There are certain health and character requirements set down by the government of New Zealand that you have to fulfill. Also you have to be able to prove to the authorities that you have genuine intent and you shall leave as soon as the course gets over. New Zealand does not allow a visa to a person with a criminal background.
You have to be able to prove that you can meet the course and living expenses. This can be done by either proving that you have enough money held in the country by you or on your behalf, or by furnishing an undertaking by another person to bear your expenses or by a sponsor in New Zealand. You can also bear the expenses with the help of financial assistance by any aid program under any of the agencies of the government of New Zealand. For a course less than 9 months, you need to have NZ $ 1000 per month, and for a course of more than 9 months, you should have NZ $ 10,000 per year. Evidence of the expenses can either be in cash, or bank draft, recognized credit card or traveler’s cheque.
To apply for the Student Visa you first need to fill the ‘application for student visa’ form. You have to submit the form along with the requisite documents and visa fees. Depending on the duration of the course, you need to fulfill the minimum health requirements. And you should get the application approved before submitting.
The documents that need to be submitted along with the application form are – the letter of acceptance form the institute where you have taken admission; the receipt of payment of fees for the course, or a proof that you have been exempted from the fees; passport size photos; a guarantee of accommodation in New Zealand, which can either be provided by the educational institution or by a person; your valid passport, which does not expire within three months from the date of return; evidence of funds to meet expenses. If you are going to stay in the country for more than 24 months (dependent on the duration of the course), then you need a New Zealand immigration service medical and chest X-ray certificate and character clearance.
The condition for the student visa is that you have to enroll as a full time student, for a set and definite duration. The maximum period of the duration (after which it expires and needs re-application) of the visa is four years. You are allowed to work only part time if the course needs practical experience, or only on holidays (if course duration is more than a year), or if you agree to work only 20 hours a week (if course duration is at least two academic years). If the course is for a maximum period of 9 months, and you want to work part time, then the course should meet the NZ foreign student policy requirements, and you should have paid the full fees.
You are allowed to take dependents along with you on a student visa. However, they will require a visitor’s visa, or if they too are enrolling for a course there, need a student visa. And the dependents should possess current medical and travel insurance.
