New Zealand student visa — step by step

Fee Paying Student Visa (Immigration New Zealand). This is the standard route for Indian students who pay international tuition fees themselves, via family, a loan, or a partial scholarship. Related study routes include the Pathway Student Visa (up to 3 consecutive programmes on one visa) and scholarship-specific student visas.

Published as "From NZD $850" on the Immigration New Zealand Fee Paying Student Visa page. Separately, most student visa applicants must also pay the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) of NZD $100 ("excluding dependent child category"). INZ states visa charges are made up of a separate application fee and levy, and that the exact amount depends on your circumstances and citizenship — check the official "Fees, decision times and where to apply" tool for your case. VFS Global visa application centre service charges in India are additional and are not published by INZ.

Published by Immigration New Zealand as "80% within 8.5 weeks" for the Fee Paying Student Visa. INZ separately recommends: "We recommend applying for a student visa 3 months in advance of your intended travel, if possible."

For tertiary, English language or other non-compulsory study, as published: "NZD $20,000 for each year, if you are studying for 1 year or more, or NZD $1,667 for each month" if your study is shorter than 1 year. For compulsory education (school Years 1-13): "NZD $17,000 for each year... or NZD $1,417 for each month." These living-cost amounts are in ADDITION to tuition fees, and you must also show a return travel ticket or enough funds to buy onward travel. Indian students are among the nationalities (China, India, Nepal, the Philippines, Sri Lanka and Vietnam) who may be asked to use the Funds Transfer Scheme (FTS), operated by ANZ Bank New Zealand Limited — INZ notes "INZ will let you know if you need to use the FTS" and that using it "does not guarantee approval of your student visa application."

Up to 25 hours a week during term time while studying full-time — increased from 20 hours on 3 November 2025 under the International Education Going for Growth Plan. Visas granted on or after 3 November 2025 carry the 25-hour condition automatically; holders of older visas with a 20-hour condition must apply for a variation of conditions (published fee NZD $325) as the extra 5 hours are not added automatically. Full-time work is allowed during scheduled holidays (mid-year break and Christmas/New Year) if the course meets INZ criteria (at least 1 academic year, minimum 120 credits, 2+ semesters over 8+ months). As published: "There is no limit on the hours you can work if you are enrolled in a doctoral degree (PhD) or Research Masters programme." Always check the exact conditions recorded on your eVisa or visa letter.

Immigration New Zealand does not publish a routine, compulsory interview step for the Fee Paying Student Visa — most applications are decided on documents submitted through Immigration Online. However, biometrics ARE required: INZ states "The Immigration Act 2009 requires us to collect your biometric information when you apply for a visa... If you refuse, we can reject your application or request." Biometrics (facial image and fingerprints) are given at a New Zealand Visa Application Centre — in India these are operated by VFS Global in New Delhi, Mumbai and Chandigarh. INZ may also request additional information, evidence, or a Potentially Prejudicial Information (PPI) letter response, and case officers can request an interview where genuineness of study intent or funds is in question. Treat an interview as possible but not standard, and be ready to evidence genuine intent to study and genuine access to funds.