New Zealand Student Visa

You can apply for a New Zealand student visa both online and offline. It will be beneficial for you to know the New Zealand student visa application fee. As such, we have tabulated the application fee for all types of student visas below. It should be noted that the student visa fee includes the application cost and visa handling fee.

The visa handling fee for Indian students is NZD 14.

If you plan to study in New Zealand, you will need to learn about the visa requirements. We have given below the criteria you need to satisfy to be granted a student visa. It is also advisable to visit the official website to get updated information.

1. A valid passport.
2. Documents of travel history.
3. Letter of Acceptance from a recognised New Zealand university.
4. All academic documents.
5. Application fee payment receipt.
6. Tuition fee payment receipt.
7. Passport-size photographs.
8. Fully-filled student visa application form.

All international students who wish to pursue their studies abroad will have to prove their proficiency in the English language. This requirement remains for most countries, and New Zealand is no exception. You have to attempt English proficiency tests like IELTS and get an acceptable score. The IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is one of the most preferred English proficiency tests, the score of which is accepted by all institutions worldwide. The IELTS test, taken for study, work and migration purposes, is accepted by around 140 countries. You need a minimum band score of 5.5 in each IELTS test section to obtain a New Zealand student visa.

You will be asked to submit a few documents when you apply for the New Zealand student visa. It is essential that you have a clear idea about these documents so that you can apply easily when you arrange all of them beforehand. We have provided a list of documents below. You should also refer to the official website to ensure whether you need to submit all of them or add more.

• A valid passport that has a validity of at least three months beyond your period of stay.
• Receipt of application fee payment.
• Health and Character certificates.
• A duly filled out student visa application form.
• Offer of Acceptance from a recognised New Zealand university.
• Health insurance receipt.
• Passport-size photographs.
• Academic documents.
• English proficiency test scorecards.
• Proof of sufficient funds in the home country.

We know that it will be beneficial for you to learn about the application process for the New Zealand student visa. If you submit your application online, you can visit the official website of NZ Immigration Online and submit your application. If you wish to submit your application offline, you can send the same through post. The steps to be followed for applying for the New Zealand student visa are outlined below.

• Apply for your preferred course at your favourite university and get admission.
• Get a medical fitness certificate and a clean criminal record certificate.
• Submit the application online/offline.
• Pay the tuition fee for your first year.
• Wait for the final outcome.

The New Zealand student visa application can be submitted both online and offline. The online method is preferred as it is less time-consuming and inexpensive. You should have scanned copies of all the documents in PDF format. Also, the file size should be within the prescribed limit. You can submit the application using NZ Immigration Online. 

Don’t let all these confuse you! Contact AECC and get expert guidance on how to apply for your student visa.

The average time taken to process the New Zealand student visa application is 8-10 weeks or 63 calendar days. As such, it is essential that you arrange all the documents beforehand and apply early. You should apply for the visa at least three months before the commencement date of your study program. We have attached a table below that helps you get a rough idea of how long it takes to get your student visa application processed.

A Statement Of Purpose (SOP) is one of the important documents that you need to submit when you apply for a New Zealand student visa. It is essential to have a well-written SOP so that your application stands out from the rest of the students. It is ideal to finish your essay within two pages. We thought it would be helpful for you to get a rough idea of how to write an SOP for a New Zealand student visa. We have given the same below. You can take reference from it and prepare a good SOP.

• Start with an introduction.
• Explain your academic, professional and family background.
• Write the reason behind your choosing the particular course.
• Explain why you chose to study in New Zealand.
• State the reasons behind your choice of the particular university.
• Explain your career goals and professional plans.
• Mention your financial capabilities in your home country.
• End with a conclusion.

Want to know more about how to write a good SOP? Read our blog!

The overall acceptance rate of the New Zealand student visa has increased recently from 85% to 88%. Though this is a positive change, there are reasons for your application getting rejected as well. The ultimate decision on the same will be taken by the New Zealand Immigration office and your university. It is essential that you apply the right way so that there is no chance of rejection. A few common reasons for visa rejections are given below.

1. Not preparing well for the interview.
2. Not having good English proficiency test scores.
3. Having low academic grades.
4. Not having a strong financial backup.
5. Having an invalid or damaged passport.

However, you need not worry, as your application will definitely be accepted if you apply right.

In most cases, you will be required to renew your student visa. This can be done online or by paper. Before you apply for this renewal, you must show evidence of the following.

1. The progress you made while studying.
2. Your academic performance.
3. Your attending of classes regularly.

The process of renewing a student visa is the same as applying for a new student visa. The only exception to this is for the Pathway Student Visa. With the Pathway Student Visa, you can study for up to five years and study three different courses, one after the other. You need not renew your visa if you meet all the requirements of the course you are pursuing.

AECC can be your perfect companion to help you study in New Zealand from India. We can assist you in the following ways.

1. AECC can give you free counselling to clear all your doubts related to studying abroad.
2. AECC offers IELTS coaching at nominal fees, and the classes are handled by experts in the field.
3. You can get free guidance on applying for a New Zealand student visa.
4. You can get recommendations on the best courses you can choose based on your academic record.

You would, by now, have gathered at least a rough idea of the application process, visa rejection, processing time etc., of the New Zealand student visa. If you need further clarification on it, you can contact AECC so that our counsellors can guide you through the process for FREE.