Visa Guidelines - New Zealand
The guidelines below apply to U.S. citizens studying in New Zealand for a period of a semester up to a total of 6 months. If you are studying in New Zealand for more than 6 months or are not a U.S. citizen, your visa requirements and application process may be different. Please contact Education Abroad if you have any questions.
Important Notes | List of Requirements | Application Process | Visa Application Centers
Important Notes | List of Requirements | Application Process | Visa Application Centers
Important Notes about the New Zealand Student Visa
- New Zealand student visas are valid from the time they are issued, so you should not apply more than 2 months prior to departure.
- You will not be able to apply for a student visa until you have received your “confirmation of place” by e-mail from your host university.
- Visa processing can take from 2-4 weeks.
- Make a copy of all materials necessary for your visa application before you submit them. Take a copy of the submitted materials with you when you travel to New Zealand.
- Students on the UMD- or ENGR-exchange program at U of Auckland will apply for a student visa as “exchange students”
- Students on USAC, TEAN or direct-enroll programs will apply as “Foreign fee-paying students”
- Cost:
- Visa application fee: $0 - no visa application fee for U.S. passport holders due to fee waiver
- Passport handling fee: $28 (for online applications that are sent to a Visa Application Center (VAC) for processing).
- VAC Processing fee: $40 (for paper applications only)
- Courier fee: $30 (recommended if having your passport returned to you by mail)
- See website for current fees.
- US Students must first apply online, and then mail their passport to TTS, the Visa Application Center (VAC) designated by New Zealand Immigration. Once your visa is processed, it will be affixed in your passport. Your passport will be returned to you by mail, unless you choose to pick it up in person. NOTE: Your passport will remain at the VAC until the process is complete. You will not be able to travel out of the country during this time.
List of Requirements
The list below includes the standard requirements for U.S. passport holders applying for a student visa. Always review the Student Visa Requirements page on the Immigration New Zealand (INZ) website for up to date information as requirements are subject to change.- Current passport that is valid for at least three (3) months beyond your intended return date. You will submit your actual passport with your application.
- Visa application fee - This fee does not apply to US passport holders. If you are not a US citizen, refer to the fees on the INZ website.
- Applications that are completed online and then further processed through a TTS VAC are subject to the passport handling fee of $28. Refer to the Immigration New Zealand website for fee information.
- Offer of Place from a New Zealand university – this will be sent via e-mail to you directly.
- Approved education provider - All approved programs in MyEA are with New Zealand approved education providers.
- Health & character requirements – You have to meet our health and character requirements. Read through these carefully.
- Evidence of funds – you MUST prove you have access to spendable funds to support your stay in New Zealand. This is typically in the amount of $1,250 NZD per month.
- Proof that you plan to leave New Zealand – You must demonstrate proof that you will leave New Zealand at the end of your term of study. This is typically shown through proof of purchase of airfare or proof of enough funds to cover the purchase of travel from New Zealand.
- Photo – refer to the acceptable photos page of INZ for details on photo requirements
- Online application (see instructions below)
- Students studying in New Zealand for more than six months may also need to provide a completed Temporary Entry X-ray Certificate (1096) to show you have been screened for tuberculosis (TB).
Application Process
To apply for a student visa, US Passport Holders must first submit the Immigration ONLINE application and then mail their passport to TTS, the Visa Acceptance Center (VAC) designated by New Zealand Immigration. Once your visa is processed, it will be affixed in your passport. Your passport will be returned to you by mail, unless you choose to pick it up in person. NOTE: Your passport will remain at the VAC until the process is complete. You will not be able to travel out of the country during this time.
- Review all information on the Immigration New Zealand (INZ) website and Student Visa Guide INZ1013
- Prepare all supporting documentation. For online applications, this should be provided in PDF format.
- Visit Immigration ONLINE
- Create a RealMe login by clicking on the blue login box.
- On the next screen, click “Create your RealMe login now
- After you create your RealMe login, you will be redirected to Immigration New Zealand’s Immigration Online website. There you will create your profile. Once you have done this, you will be sent an e-mail with an embedded link that you will need to verify your account.
- Access the e-mail from Immigration Online and click on the “Verification Link”
- Click on “view my account”
- In your account homepage, click on “create new student visa application”
- Follow the prompts for the screening questions to verify if you are eligible to apply for an online application. Reply to the questions as they pertain to your situation. If eligible, click on “Start my Application”.
- Complete each section of the application accordingly. Suggestions and additional clarification for some questions are included below but individual responses will vary. Always answer questions honestly and provide as much detail as possible when requested.¿
- Section 1: Identity and Contact
- Section 2: Study Details
- Are you coming to New Zealand as an exchange student?
- Yes – if you are participating on a UMD or ENGR exchange program at the University of Auckland
- Type of exchange: Tertiary exchange
- No - if you are participating on a USAC, TEAN or direct enroll program
- Yes – if you are participating on a UMD or ENGR exchange program at the University of Auckland
- Do you have a scholarship to study in New Zealand? - If you have been awarded a scholarship from EA or another funding source, answer “yes” and select “Other” for type of scholarship. Write in as much detail about this scholarship funding source, including the amount.
- When does your programme of study start and finish?
- Start Date: Use start date provided to you by program/host university – should include orientation
- End Date: Use the program end date on academic calendar from host institution
- Date Entering NZ: date you plan to enter NZ – if you plan to arrive ahead of your orientation, be sure to include this date.
- Are you exempt from program fees
- Yes - if you are participating on a UMD or ENGR exchange program at the University of Auckland
- No - if you are participating on a USAC, TEAN or direct enroll program
- Date to which your program fees have been paid:
- August 20 – if on exchange, TEAN or USAC program for fall semester
- January 20 - if on exchange, TEAN or USAC program for spring semester
- Billing date as provided by program provider or host institution if not on one of the above mentioned programs
- Provide details about your programme of study
- Type of Study: Undergraduate
- Education Provider: Enter the NZ University you will be attending
- Qualification/Programme: Certificate of Proficiency
- Education Provider Nominated you for Streamlined Visa Processing?: Yes (only if you have streamline processing number). If you answer 'YES' to this question, you will need to enter in your Streamlined Processing Number which should be listed at the bottom of your offer letter or an additional document sent via email.
- Is your programme of study 120 credits of more in total?: No
- Are you coming to New Zealand as an exchange student?
- Section 3: Financial Support
- How will you be financially supported? - Check all that apply.
- What arrangements have you made for outward travel from New Zealand?
- If you have booked a flight with a return date you can tick: 'I have pre-purchased travel'
- If you aren't planning on booking a round trip ticket, you will need to provide evidence of funds to purchase outward travel and should tick 'I have sufficient funds to purchase travel'
- Section 4: Health Details - Please answer these questions as they pertain to you. Note: You can agree with the declaration at the bottom of the page as insurance will be organized through the New Zealand University you're attending.
- Section 5: Character Details - Please answer these questions as they pertain to you.
- Section 6: Education and Work History - you can leave this section blank.
- Section 7: Other Details
- Do you have any contacts in New Zealand - you can answer 'no' to this question.
- Section 8: Upload Documents: Upload all relevant documents in PDF form unless specified otherwise. Some notes on what those documents might be are here:
- Passport Style Photo
- Copy of your Passport
- Offer Letter from University
- Evidence that you have sufficient funds
- Evidence from your education provider that you are exempt from fees –this is a letter that the NZ university provided for students on exchange indicating no fees are due
- Completed Financial Undertaking for a Student (INZ1014) if you indicated you or another person will be responsible for the cost of your stay in New Zealand
- Evidence of Pre-purchased outward travel
- Section 9: Declaration - Sign off electronically in this section
- Section 10: Payment - US Passport holders applying outside of New Zealand do not need to pay the visa fee. If you’ve completed the online application, you should only need to pay the passport handling fee of $28.¿
- After you’ve submitted your Immigration ONLINE application, submit your passport to the designated VAC via an overnight, tracked delivery service (such as Fed Ex). Please be sure you send your passport to the location that is specified on the confirmation you receive after submitting your online visa application (VAC contact information included below). Include the following items:
- Passport
- Credit Card authorization form - For online applications, you will owe the $28 passport handling fee and it is recommended to pay for the Return Courier fees (Fed Ex) of $30.
- Printout of the ONLINE confirmation page or your ONLINE application reference number if available.
- Your Contact information: Phone and Email and return courier address (if applicable) so the VAC can contact you if required
Immigration New Zealand Visa Application Centers (VAC)
Washington DC Visa Application Centre Branch:
Visa Application Centre
1120 19th Street NW
Suite No. – 415
Washington, DC 20036
USA
Phone: 202-223-3400
Fax: 202-223-3900
Hours: M – F 9:00AM – 4:00PM EST
Information from Immigration New Zealand (http://www.immigration.govt.nz/), USAC and The Education Abroad Network.Visa Application Centre
1120 19th Street NW
Suite No. – 415
Washington, DC 20036
USA
Phone: 202-223-3400
Fax: 202-223-3900
Hours: M – F 9:00AM – 4:00PM EST
Updated December 2016