A Comprehensive Guide to Student Visa In New Zealand

To ensure a successful application for a New Zealand Fee-paying Student Visa, you’ll need to submit a comprehensive set of documents and supporting information. Here’s a document checklist for a student visa in New Zealand:

Mandatory Documents:

1. Student Visa Application Fee: Payment confirmation for the visa application fee of NZ$ 375 (INR 19,163 ) is mandatory.

2. Proof of Identity: 1 photograph if you apply online and 2 photographs if applying in paper format along with your passport.

3. Student Visa Application Form: Ensure all sections of the application form are carefully completed and accurate.

4. Offer Letter: An official acceptance letter from a recognised New Zealand university outlining your chosen programme and tuition fees is required. 

• Course Information: Clearly state the name of your programme and its total duration.
• Tuition Sponsorship: You must confirm that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) will cover your tuition fees. This is only valid for those students who have been rewarded with scholarships.
• Study Mode: Specify whether your studies will be undertaken full-time, part-time, or through distance learning/correspondence.
• Course Schedule: If your programme extends beyond one academic year, a detailed schedule showing all scheduled holidays is required.
• Accommodation Verification: For students under 18, a confirmation that your accommodation follows the established “Code of Pastoral Care for International Students” is essential.

Your university must also include a signed declaration within the offer of place, confirming that they have conducted a thorough assessment and are satisfied with the following:

• Programme Suitability: The offered programme aligns with your academic goals and expectations.
• Language and Academic Skills: You possess the necessary English language proficiency and academic capabilities to complete the programme successfully.

5. Passport Copy: Submit a clear photocopy of the identification page from your current passport.

6. Evidence of Tuition Fees:

If applying from outside New Zealand, you can either:

• Pay tuition fees after receiving an Approval in Principle (AIP) visa decision and submit the receipt.
• Provide evidence of sufficient funds to cover tuition fees if opting for the AIP process.

7. Financial Support Documentation: You must demonstrate access to sufficient funds to support your living expenses while studying in New Zealand. The minimum required amount depends on your study duration:

• Thirty-six weeks or more: Evidence of at least NZ$20,000 per year is mandatory.
• Less than 36 weeks: Proof of at least NZ$ 1,667 per month of study is required.
• Bank Statements: Bank statements for the past 6 months. If the bank account has been opened recently or the statements show any large deposits, you need to explain where this money has come from and provide evidence to support this (e.g. provide evidence to show the transfer of funds from one bank account to the other, proof that you have sold one of your assets, etc.).
•  Copies of relevant bank deposit statements or certificates.
•  Statements/certificates showing fixed deposits at least 6 months old. 
•  Education loan sanction letter from an acceptable financial institution. 
•  Tax returns showing income and saving patterns. 
•  Stock transaction reports. 
•  Sale of property agreements.

1. Outward Travel Evidence: Demonstrate your planned departure from New Zealand with either a fully paid outward travel ticket or evidence of sufficient funds to purchase one (including funds held by a guarantor or sponsor). Additional requirements may apply depending on your intended stay duration and travel history.
2. Medical Certificate: A chest X-ray certificate and a medical certificate from an INZ-approved doctor may be required, depending on your circumstances. 
3. Police Certificate: A police certificate demonstrating good character is mandatory. To get a police certificate, you must:

• make sure the police certificate is less than six months old when you submit your visa application
• provide an English translation if it is not in English.

Acceptable Forms of Financial Evidence Include:

• Personal or held funds in your name.
• Notice of a total scholarship award.
• “Financial Undertaking for a Student” form (INZ 1014) from an acceptable guarantor.
• “Sponsorship Form for Temporary Entry” form (INZ 1025) from an acceptable sponsor.

Acceptable Sources of Funds:

Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has specific requirements regarding evidence of financial support for your student visa application. To ensure your documents are accepted, please adhere to the following guidelines:

• Ownership: Funds must be held in your name or that of your financial guarantor.
• Guarantors: Only immediate family members (spouse, parents, siblings, grandparents, or parents-in-law) can act as financial guarantors. You’ll need to provide documented proof of your relationship.
• Verifiable Documentation: INZ prioritises verifiable evidence of financial resources. Specific instruments are difficult to verify and are therefore not accepted, including:
  • Gold loans, KCC loans, chit funds
  • Post office held funds.
  • Volatile/mutual funds, bonds
  • Property sales proceeds
  • Agricultural income

• Education Loans: Only education loans from nationalised or multinational banks are acceptable, with the following conditions:
  • The loan must be secured against fixed assets belonging to you or your guarantor.
  • Provide a loan sanction letter outlining the security details, moratorium period, interest rates, repayment schedule, and a copy of the offered loan security.
  • Include documentation demonstrating your ability to repay the loan.

• Public/Employee Provident Funds: Evidence from these accounts is only accepted when accompanied by documents verifying your employment status, such as income tax returns, salary statements, or an employer reference letter.

Evidence of Identity:

• Acceptable forms of identification for yourself include your passport (photo identification page) or a Pan Card/Aadhar Card (India-specific).
• If relying on a financial guarantor, provide their passport (photo identification page, birth certificate, or Aadhar Card (India-specific) as proof of your relationship.

Unacceptable Relationship Documentation:

Please note that INZ will not accept Voter ID cards, Ration Cards, academic documents, or driving licenses as evidence of your relationship with a financial guarantor.

Supporting Information:

While not mandatory, providing additional information can strengthen your application and demonstrate genuine intentions. Here are some recommended items:

1. Cover Letter/Statement of Purpose: Explain your motivations for studying in New Zealand, outlining your academic background, future career aspirations, and reasons for choosing the specific education provider and programme. Additionally, address any gaps in your recent education or work history and detail your study funding plan.
2. Passport Travel History: If your current passport lacks travel history, provide a copy of your previous passport or a summary of your international travel history (if recorded only).
3. Verifiable Supporting Evidence: Supplement your application with documents that corroborate the information provided, such as academic transcripts, employment references, or scholarship documentation.