Search
Showing 10 of 7355 results
-
Apply early and get ahead of the student visa peak
Immigration New Zealand (INZ) is approaching a peak period for student visa processing, which typically occurs between October and March as international students who are overseas prepare for the first half of the 2026 academic year.
Get your application in early
During peak periods, applications may take longer to process. To ensure timely visa decisions, prospective international students who are overseas are encouraged to submit their applications around 3 months before the intended travel date, as this provides the best chance of receiving a decision in time to begin study in New Zealand.
Late submissions risk missing the start of study and may result in declined applications if key documents are missing.
Students who are offshore and apply very early (for example, 6 months or more), may receive an approval in principle, allowing them to provide confirmation of study, funds transfers and tuition fee payment closer to their study commencement.
Check the recent processing times for student visa applications.
Changes to student visa work rights
Visas granted on or after 3 November 2025 will include a condition allowing up to 25 hours of work a week during term time, including those approved after that date from earlier applications.
If your visa is granted before 3 November 2025, the current 20-hour a week work limit will still apply. If you would like to work more hours after that date, you will need to apply for a variation of conditions to update your visa.
Upcoming changes to student visa work rights
To support a smoother and more transparent application process, INZ has moved international student visas to a new enhanced Immigration Online system.
The new form is tailored to each applicant’s situation. It asks only relevant questions and provides clear guidance throughout. It also provides real-time status updates and email notifications, giving students and their advisers greater visibility of application progress and clarity around any required actions.
While the new form may take slightly longer to complete, the additional information collected upfront is expected to reduce overall processing time.
Applying on enhanced Immigration Online
Students applying for the following visa types will be automatically directed to a redesigned, dynamic application form:
- English Language Student Visa
- Exchange Student Visa
- Fee Paying Student Visa
- Pathway Student Visa
- NZ Government Scholarship Student Visa
- Foreign Government Supported Student Visa
Applications submitted on or before 17 August 2025 will continue to be processed, and students will retain access to upload documents and respond to Immigration New Zealand requests until a decision is made.
Draft applications not submitted by 17 August 2025 can still be completed and submitted until 17 September 2025.
After 17 September 2025, all remaining drafts will be deleted, and a new application using the enhanced form will be required. The new student visa application forms on enhanced Immigration Online include built-in guidance to support applicants. It helps ensure they understand what is being asked and provides easy access to information to help them answer questions accurately.
Help us process your application faster
To avoid delays, students should ensure their application includes all required documentation. INZ may not contact applicants if key documents are missing, and incomplete applications may be declined.
INZ understands that some students may face delays in obtaining final academic documentation required for their application.
We recommend you apply as soon as you have the required documentation or contact your education provider to see if a conditional Offer of Place is available, so you can submit your student visa application and get the process underway.
If you do apply late, your application may not be processed in time for your study in New Zealand.
- cte01
- hero pic card
- CF corp
- PMSLA recipients October 2017
- China20collage201
- naumainzcampaign
-
New Zealand universities on show at NACAC annual conference
Representatives from six universities – Massey University, Victoria University of Wellington, University of Otago, University of Auckland, Lincoln University, and University of Waikato joined forces to engage with hundreds of US high school counsellors.
The New Zealand booth was a standout attraction, drawing heavy foot traffic thanks to the ever-popular ENZ Kiwi plush toys, four of which were raffled off to attendees. But while the Kiwi drew people in, it was the conversation about undergraduate study opportunities in New Zealand that kept them engaged.
Over 100 high school counsellors expressed interest in learning more about New Zealand universities, with many requesting in-person visits to their schools for student and family information sessions.
The universities and ENZ held an intimate reception for conference attendees at a local flower shop. High school counsellors had the opportunity to learn about New Zealand education offerings while doing crafts with New Zealand ferns.
ENZ also hosted an intimate reception during the conference, where attendees had a chance to learn about New Zealand and take a part of it home with them, through crafting New Zealand fern boutonnieres (similar to a corsage)
ENZ Director of Engagement North America, DuBois Jennings, said that many of the guests were Hawaiian high school counsellors.
“This event has continued the strong relationships built during ENZ’s Hawaii Roadshow earlier in the year,” he said.
“All New Zealand universities have reported a notable increase in applications from Hawaii following this roadshow,” DuBois added.
Participation in NACAC is a strategic move for ENZ, providing a vital platform to strengthen connections with US high school counsellors who are some of the key influencers in students’ college decision-making.
By deepening this stakeholder network, New Zealand universities are better positioned to attract more US students to pursue full undergraduate degrees in New Zealand.
-
New Zealand highlights global education links at major Indian conference
As the International Academic Partner, ENZ helped showcase New Zealand as a trusted education partner and destination. The event brought together education leaders, policymakers, and experts to discuss the future of learning, skills, and global collaboration.
Jugnu Roy (pictured centre) representing ENZ at the SEPC roundtable on Global Academic Mobility.
ENZ’s Director of Engagement for India and East Asia, Jugnu Roy, joined panel discussions and roundtables on global academic mobility and faculty exchange. These sessions were a chance to share New Zealand’s approach to student-focused, future-ready education and explore new opportunities for partnerships with India.
Director of Engagement for India and East Asia, Jugnu Roy, said India is a key strategic partner for New Zealand’s international education sector, and that continued engagement is essential to strengthening that relationship.
“Participating in forums like this allows us to engage deeply on shared goals and support India’s ambitions through meaningful academic cooperation,” she said.
- image001 1
