Which New Zealand student visa do you need?
Most Indian students need a Fee Paying Student Visa — the standard visa for internationally paying students at universities, polytechnics, and private training establishments, covering full-time study for up to 4 years. If your study plan includes more than one course in sequence, a Pathway Student Visa can cover up to three consecutive courses on a single application, for up to 5 years, through approved Pathway Education Providers.
The 2026 fee: NZD $850 + $100 IVL
Both charges are non-refundable, even if your application is declined. Fees are set by Immigration New Zealand and reviewed periodically — always confirm the current figure before applying.
Financial requirements
On top of this, you need to show tuition fee payment (or availability of funds) and a return air ticket or proof of funds to buy one. Many Indian applicants use the Funds Transfer Scheme (FTS) — transferring living funds to an approved New Zealand bank account, released monthly — as straightforward proof of genuine, accessible funds.
Good to know: weak or unclear financial documentation is one of the most common refusal reasons. Funds should be genuinely available, held for a reasonable period, and clearly sourced.
English language requirements
INZ itself doesn't set a fixed English score for the visa — your education provider does, as a condition of your offer of place. In practice:
- Undergraduate/Diploma: IELTS 6.0 overall (no band below 5.5), or equivalent
- Postgraduate: IELTS 6.5 overall (no band below 6.0), or equivalent
Health, character & insurance
- Medical exam & chest X-ray: generally required for courses longer than 12 months
- Police clearance: typically required for applicants 17+ staying longer than 24 months
- Mandatory insurance: under the Education (Pastoral Care of Tertiary and International Learners) Code of Practice 2021, every international student must hold approved medical and travel insurance for their entire stay
Work rights while studying
📢 2025 Update: Work hours increased to 25/week
From 3 November 2025, students enrolled in a course at NZQF Level 7+ or 14 weeks or longer can work up to 25 hours per week during term time (up from 20 hours), and full-time during scheduled breaks.
2026 update: Post-Study Work Visa changes
📢 Effective 16 November 2026
Post-Study Work Visa eligibility is being extended to graduates who complete a Graduate Diploma at NZQCF Level 7 and hold a bachelor's degree, granted for the length of diploma study (up to 1 year). A new Short-term Graduate Work Visa also launches, offering 6 months of open work rights for eligible graduates at NZQF Level 5–7 who studied full-time for at least 24 weeks and aren't eligible for the standard route. Applications must be submitted within 3 months of your student visa expiring.
Frequently Asked Questions
NZD $850 (revised January 2026) plus the standard $100 IVL, both non-refundable.
Generally NZD $20,000 per year of study for courses a year or longer, or $1,667 per month for shorter courses.
Yes — up to 25 hours per week during term time (increased from 20 hours from 3 November 2025), and full-time during scheduled breaks.
The visa itself doesn't mandate a specific INZ-set score, but education providers typically require IELTS 6.0 (undergraduate) or 6.5 (postgraduate).
From 16 November 2026, eligibility extends to NZQCF Level 7 graduate diploma holders with a bachelor's degree, and a new Short-term Graduate Work Visa launches.