How to apply to study in New Zealand

Students Applying From Overseas
If you want to study as a full-fee student at an educational institution in New Zealand you should consult the accredited New Zealand Government office in your country about available courses. Applications should be made either directly to educational institutions or through an agent or by contacting TradeNZ offices overseas.


The closing dates for applications to universities, polytechnics and colleges of education are available from prospectuses held at New Zealand Government Offices overseas, or you can visit the websites of the institutions.

How to Apply for a Student Visa From Overseas:
Step One:

Complete the ‘Application to Study in New Zealand’ (NZIS 1012) form available from New Zealand Immigration offices in New Zealand and overseas.

Step Two:

Along with your completed and signed application form, you will also need to provide all the information listed at the front of the application form and the correct application fee. If you do not submit the required information with your application it will not be able to be accepted for processing.

Step Three:

If you are overseas, your application must be made and approved before you are able to travel to New Zealand.


To be included with your application form:
1. General Requirements:

• Your passport or travel document (which must be valid to at least three months past the date you plan to leave New Zealand).
• A recent passport sized photograph.

2. Health Requirements:

• If you intend to be in New Zealand for more than six months, you may need to submit a ‘Temporary Entry X-Ray Certificate’ (NZIS 1096) to prove that you have been screened for tuberculosis (TB).
• If you intend to be in New Zealand for more than two years you must submit a ‘Medical and X-Ray Certificate’ (NZIS 1007).

Pregnant women and children under 11 years of age are not required to have an X-ray, unless a special report is required.


3. Character Requirements:

If you intend to be in New Zealand for more than two years and are aged 17 or over you must submit a Police Certificate from your country of citizenship (or satisfactory evidence that you have never lived in that country), and any country that you have lived in for five years or more since attaining the age of 17 years. 

4. Financial Details:

• You must provide one of the following as evidence of your ability to support yourself in New Zealand:
• A completed ‘Financial Undertaking for a Student’ (NZIS 1014) form.
• Evidence of sufficient funds to support yourself for the period you will be studying (if you are studying in New Zealand for less than 36 weeks, you need to provide evidence of NZ$1000 per month. If you are intending to study in New Zealand for more than 36 weeks you need to provide evidence of NZ$10,000 per year, as well as sufficient funds to purchase an outward ticket); AND a guarantee of accommodation.
• If you are a student from Tonga or Samoa intending to study for any length of time you may supply a ‘Sponsorship Form for Visiting New Zealand’ (NZIS 1025).

5. Enrolment Details:

• An offer of a place at a New Zealand education or training institute.
• Evidence that you have paid, or are exempt from paying, the course fees.

If you already have a student permit or visa and are applying for a further student permit or visa, you must provide copies of the following:

• Evidence of previous study performance.
• Evidence of attendance (excluding tertiary) showing satisfactory progress.