Update from Immigration New Zealand

Student visa applications: Missed intakes and next steps

Some students who applied late for study in 2026 may not have received a visa decision in time for their intended intake. If a student has missed their intake, what happens next depends on when their study can begin.

If a student can start later in 2026: In some cases, we may be able to approve the application in principle, provided other requirements are met. Any outstanding information will need to be supplied by the date given, and the visa can then be granted once all requirements are satisfied.

If a student can’t start until 2027: Withdrawing the application and requesting a fee refund is generally the best option. Supporting information can become outdated over time, and personal circumstances (including health) may change. Applications for the 2027 academic year should be submitted around September 2026.

Working on a student visa

The ‘Working on a student visa’ page on the Immigration New Zealand website has been updated to clarify the following: Secondary school students who have finished studies, and who have associated work rights, can continue to work part-time for up to 25 hours (or full-time during the Christmas and New Year holiday period) for the remainder of their visa.

More information: Working on a student visa: Immigration New Zealand

Funds Transfer Scheme now available for Nepal

As of 2 April 2026, Nepal is now included in the Funds Transfer Scheme (FTS), delivered through ANZ Bank New Zealand Limited.

The FTS helps reduce the amount of financial documentation students need to provide and gives us greater confidence that students have access to enough funds while in New Zealand. Expanding the scheme to more countries is also expected to support faster processing.

For most Nepalese students whose applications are approved in principle, use of the FTS will be required.

More information: Funds Transfer Scheme

Education agent performance data released

New data is now available showing 2025 student visa application volumes and approval rates for education agents. This information is published annually.

The data includes education agents who are exempt from licensing and does not include Licensed Immigration Advisers.

INZ has also released 2025 overseas student visa decision data, broken down by country.

View the data:

• Education agent performance data: Immigration New Zealand
• Overseas student visa application decisions for 2025: Immigration New Zealand