Student Visas and Work Rights

Student visas/permits are issued by Immigration New Zealand. For detailed information on the requirements please visit the Immigration New Zealand website.  The information below is an overview only.

Student Visas

Courses shorter than three months

If you want to study a single course, that is less that 3 months long, you do not need a student visa. However you will need to apply for a visitor visa. 

Courses longer than 3 months

If you want to study a course that is more than 3 months long you will need a student visa/permit. To get a student permit you need to have an offer of place from the university you have enrolled in.

For further information and application forms please visit the Immigration New Zealand website.  

Australian Citizens and Permanent Residents

You do not need a student visa/permit if you are an Australian Citizen or Permanent Resident.

Working while studying

Depending on the length of your course, you may be able to work  during the summer holidays and  for up to 20 hours per week during the academic year. For further information please  visit the Immigration New Zealand website.

Work rights  for partners of postgraduate students

Partners of post graduate students are able to work full time in New Zealand.

Children of PhD students

Dependent children of international PhD students are classified as domestic students in New Zealand State Schools. This means you won't have to pay international fees to send your children to school.