Top 6 Requirements for New Zealand Student Visa in 2025

If you seek to study in New Zealand for more than six months and are above 18 years of age, an overview of different kinds of student visas is given below. The table below shows the types of New Zealand student visa and the time duration of the course.

To study in New Zealand, you should focus on acquiring a fee-paying student visa as an Indian student. It is equally important to maintain your status as a fee-paying student. This status is related to your purpose and reason for study in New Zealand.

After 12th, a student can apply for a bachelor's degree under level 7 of the NZQF or a diploma under level 5 and level 6 of the NZQF. The bachelor course duration is 03 years, and diploma courses are of 02-year duration. The minimum mark required for the bachelor and diploma programme is 55% in the board examination at the secondary level of education. This prerequisite may differ based on the subject you choose to pursue or the school district where you completed your secondary education.

If you have graduated, the course options are a graduate diploma at level 7 of NZQF, a postgraduate diploma (PG Diploma) at level 8 of NZQF, or a master's degree at level 9 of NZQF. Further, a four-year certification requires 60 percent or higher extent of grades in level 7 or more courses. However, the academic requirements vary depending on the course's unique requirements and the higher education institution chosen by the students. Students must ensure that the courses they apply for are related to their past studies when using a graduate diploma for their New Zealand student visa applications to be successful.

While you apply for a New Zealand student visa, the general requirements for New Zealand study visa are as follows:

• Proof of paying the tuition fee

• A valid passport

• Evidence of employment history

• Information about your financial guarantor

• Aadhaar or PAN card

• A scholarship program details

• Full medical examination

• Medical certificate from the approved board

New Zealand's primary language and the de facto official language is English. With almost 95 percent of the population using English daily, it is the most widely spoken language in the country. The other languages spoken in New Zealand are Maori (by 4.1% of the population) and New Zealand's Sign language (by 0.5 %).

Being an English-speaking country, a student must have an acceptable level of language proficiency while applying for a New Zealand student visa. You can prove your language proficiency with a good IELTS, TOEFL or PTE score. For levels 5 and 6, the required score is IELTS 6.0, at least 5.5 in any of the four modules or an equivalent score in TOEFL or PTE. For bachelor programs, the required score is 6.0, not less than 5.5 in any module and for postgraduate levels, an IELTS score of 6.5, not less than 6 in any module or its equivalent in TOEFL or PTE. However, the exceptions include a few courses requiring a higher IELTS score, such as teaching, where the IELTS requirement is 7.0 in each of the four modules to qualify.

When applying for a New Zealand student visa, students must have adequate funds to cover the tuition fees and living expenses that would be incurred throughout the course. That means if you are applying for a 02-year diploma course in New Zealand, you should have sufficient financial provisions to support both years of study.

Please note that the amount for first-year tuition fees and expenses should be readily available, whereas the corresponding cost for the second year can be shown as a payment plan. So for the first year, the required funds to be maintained are the amount towards tuition fees depending on your chosen course and the amount to meet the living expenses, which are currently pegged at New Zealand Dollar 20,000 per year.

 Apart from arranging funds, students must provide credible and accurate documents to substantiate the source of income, which is acceptable to New Zealand immigration. Proof of income is one of the most essential New Zealand student visa documents. Other important documents include savings bank account statements, income tax return proofs, fixed deposit receipts, educational loans, pay slips, business licences, current account statements, etc. 

Students must obtain a police clearance certificate (PCC) as part of the New Zealand student visa application process because any history of a previous ban from any other country can impede a New Zealand study visa.

To sum up, the New Zealand student visa opens doors to top-class education. There are different types of visas in New Zealand for various programs, as highlighted in the blog. Also, the Fee-paying New Zealand student visa is popular among the Indian students. Moreover, there are several documents and other student visa requirements for New Zealand. Keep all this information in mind while you apply for the New Zealand student visa.

Above in this blog, we have covered the New Zealand student visa requirements. If you look forward to study in New Zealand or seeking more information, contact our expert counsellors at Meridean Overseas Education Consultants (MOEC). You can also take free online counselling through our website. Our expert counsellors will provide you with the best support and guidance you need for admission and visa. For more information or any queries, contact application02@meridean.org or 1800-1230-00011.

Question: How much money must I make in New Zealand to get a student visa?

Answer: You must demonstrate that you have the financial resources to pay for your living expenses and tuition fees during your studies. Depending on the duration of your course and your study location in New Zealand, you will need to give evidence of a specific amount.

Question: How much time does it take to obtain a New Zealand student visa?

Answer: Depending on where you are applying from and the volume of applications being handled, the processing time for a New Zealand student visa application can change. Applying for the New Zealand student visa as soon as possible with correct documentation is advised because it may take weeks or even months to complete the process.

Question: Can I work in New Zealand while on a student visa?

Answer: Yes, you can often work full-time during specified breaks, such as the summer holidays, and part-time while you study. You may need to verify the terms of your particular visa, as there can be limitations on the kind of employment you can perform.