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Student visa for New Zealand
Money to show for the visa: NZD 20,000 for each year of study. Work while you study: 25 hours a week in term, full-time in scheduled holidays. Checked against the official pages on 24 September 2026.
The numbers
- Money you must show
- NZD 20,000 for each year of study
- Visa fee
- From NZD 850
- Work while you study
- 25 hours a week in term, full-time in scheduled holidays
- Stay after you graduate
- Post-Study Work Visa of up to 3 years
NZD 1,667 a month for courses under a year. This is in addition to tuition, which you must also show you can pay.
Immigration New Zealand, checked 2026-09-24
The exact fee depends on your nationality and where you apply.
Immigration New Zealand, checked 2026-09-24
Raised from 20 hours on 3 November 2025. Only if your course qualifies for work rights.
Immigration New Zealand, checked 2026-09-24
Open work rights for level 7 degree graduates and above. Fee from NZD 1,670. Apply no later than 3 months after your student visa expires.
Immigration New Zealand, checked 2026-09-24
Worth knowing: Tuition figures are University of Auckland 2026 undergraduate fees and living costs are only given as weekly figures, with the NZD 20,000 minimum equal to about NZD 385 a week. Living costs are the funds Immigration New Zealand asks tertiary students to show, NZD 20,000 a year.
The visa
You need a Fee Paying Student Visa. You apply online with an offer of place from an approved provider, evidence that you can pay the tuition (or that it is paid), and evidence of living funds. The visa can be granted for up to four years.
The fee: from NZD 850, depending on your nationality and where you apply.
The money: NZD 20,000 for each year of study, or NZD 1,667 a month for courses shorter than a year. This is separate from tuition. Acceptable evidence includes bank statements, a scholarship, or a sponsor's financial undertaking. The funds must be genuinely available to you, and Immigration New Zealand can ask where they came from.
Processing time: Immigration New Zealand reports that 80% of applications are decided within 8 weeks. Apply as soon as you have your offer and the funds in place, and before you book flights.
Where to apply
At the embassy or consulate of New Zealand that covers your country, or through the visa application centre it names. Book early: in the busiest months appointments can be weeks away. Apply only through the official website; nobody can sell you a faster place in the queue.
Official pages: immigration.govt.nz · immigration.govt.nz · immigration.govt.nz · immigration.govt.nz · auckland.ac.nz · auckland.ac.nz. Rules change: confirm on the official page before you apply.
Government scholarships to study in New Zealand
- Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships see the official page for dates
Which of these are open to your nationality
By nationality
From Algeria
From Armenia
From Azerbaijan
From Bangladesh
From Brazil
From Cameroon
From Canada
From China
From Colombia
From Egypt
From Ethiopia
From Georgia
From Ghana
From India
From Indonesia
From Iran
From Iraq
From Japan
From Jordan
From Kazakhstan
From Kenya
From Lebanon
From Malaysia
From Mexico
From Morocco
From Nepal
From Nigeria
From Pakistan
From Philippines
From Russia
From Saudi Arabia
From Senegal
From South Africa
From South Korea
From Sri Lanka
From Syria
From Tanzania
From Tunisia
From Türkiye
From Uganda
From Ukraine
From United Arab Emirates
From United States
From Uzbekistan
From Vietnam
From ZimbabweQuestions students ask
How much money do I need to show for a New Zealand student visa?
NZD 20,000 for each year of study. NZD 1,667 a month for courses under a year. This is in addition to tuition, which you must also show you can pay. (Immigration New Zealand, checked 2026-09-24).
How much is the student visa fee for New Zealand?
From NZD 850.
Can international students work in New Zealand?
25 hours a week in term, full-time in scheduled holidays.
Can I stay in New Zealand after I graduate?
Post-Study Work Visa of up to 3 years.
This page is general information from official sources, not immigration advice. For a decision about your own case, the official source or a regulated adviser is where that belongs.