Preparation aid

NZ Student Visa Checklist

Select your study level and family situation to see a personalised document-preparation checklist, with links to official Immigration New Zealand sources. Your ticks are saved on this device.

This is a preparation aid — not an official requirements list

This checklist is general information for planning, not immigration advice, and it may not cover everything for your case. New Zealand visa requirements can change at any time. Always confirm the current requirements on the official Immigration New Zealand website, with your institution, or with a licensed immigration adviser before applying.

Study level

Who is coming with you?

0 of 21 items prepared

1Identity and Application

Valid passportYour passport generally needs to be valid for at least 3 months after the date you plan to leave New Zealand. Renew early if it is close to expiring, as airlines may refuse check-in on a near-expiry passport.

Source: Immigration New Zealand

Acceptable photoYou may need a photo that meets New Zealand visa photo requirements for your online application. Check the current photo rules before you upload.

Source: Immigration New Zealand

Online application accountStudent visa applications are generally submitted online, and Immigration New Zealand encourages applying about 3 months before your intended travel date. Set up your online account early and keep your login details safe.

Source: Immigration New Zealand

Certified English translationsPolice certificates and medical certificates that are not in English generally need certified English translations, along with scanned copies of the originals. Translating other supporting documents may also help avoid delays.

Source: Immigration New Zealand

2Study and Course

Offer of place from an approved providerYou generally need an offer of place from an approved education provider showing the course name, duration, whether it is full-time, and scheduled holiday dates. The provider usually must be a signatory to the pastoral care Code of Practice.

Source: Immigration New Zealand Source: Immigration New Zealand

Academic certificates and transcriptsKeep your previous academic certificates, transcripts, and mark sheets organised. They may be used to support your academic capability and genuine intention to study.

Source: Immigration New Zealand

English language test resultsEnglish test results (such as IELTS or TOEFL) are generally not mandatory for the visa itself, but they can support your genuine intention to study and are usually required by your institution. Check what your course requires.

Source: Immigration New Zealand

Evidence of genuine intentionsYou must genuinely intend to study and meet your visa conditions. Be ready to explain your study plan, why you chose your course and New Zealand, and how it fits your future — honestly and in your own words.

Source: Immigration New Zealand

Practical work experience evidence (if your course requires it)If practical work experience is part of your course, you generally need evidence such as a letter from your provider or a course outline showing the requirement.

Source: Immigration New Zealand

3Financial

Evidence of tuition feesYou generally need to show you have paid tuition for one course or one year (whichever is shorter), can pay it, or do not need to pay. Evidence can include a provider receipt or letter, or education-loan documents.

Source: Immigration New Zealand

Funds for living costsFor tertiary study, Immigration New Zealand generally expects around NZD $20,000 per year (or NZD $1,667 per month for shorter study) — amounts can change, so check the official source. Evidence can include bank statements, fixed-term deposits, a scholarship, or an education loan with its sanction letter.

Source: Immigration New Zealand Source: Immigration New Zealand

Genuine source of fundsYour money generally needs to come from a genuine source that can be confirmed. Prepare documents that clearly show where the funds came from, such as income records, savings history, or loan documents.

Source: Immigration New Zealand Source: Immigration New Zealand

Sponsorship or financial undertaking documents (if applicable)If someone else supports you financially, you may need a sponsor sharing ID or a completed Financial Undertaking for a Student form. Note for Bangladeshi applicants applying in South Asia: generally only immediate family (partner, parents, siblings, grandparents, parents-in-law) can sponsor or provide a financial undertaking.

Source: Immigration New Zealand

Plan for funding later years (multi-year study)If your study lasts more than one year, a credible plan for paying future tuition and living costs — for example, evidence of family income — can strengthen your application. You do not generally need to hold all of that money now.

Source: Immigration New Zealand

4Health and Character

Chest X-ray certificate (if required)If you will stay more than 6 months and are from — or have spent time in — a country that is not classed as low-incidence for tuberculosis, you generally need a chest X-ray. Certificates usually must be less than 3 months old when received, so time your appointment carefully.

Source: Immigration New Zealand Source: Immigration New Zealand

Medical examination (if required)Stays over 12 months may require a medical certificate, and Immigration New Zealand can request one at any time. Use an approved panel physician and keep the eMedical reference code from your clinic.

Source: Immigration New Zealand Source: Immigration New Zealand

Police certificate(s) (if required)If you are 17 or older and your total time in New Zealand will be 24 months or longer, you generally need police certificates less than 6 months old — from your country of citizenship and any country where you have spent more than 5 years since turning 17.

Source: Immigration New Zealand Source: Immigration New Zealand

5Insurance, Travel and Arrival

Medical and travel insuranceYou generally must have insurance acceptable to your education provider covering your whole stay — it is a condition of the visa. Your provider will tell you what the policy must cover or may arrange it for you.

Source: Immigration New Zealand

Onward travel ticket or fundsYou generally need a ticket out of New Zealand at the end of your stay, or evidence you can pay for one — and this money must be in addition to your living funds.

Source: Immigration New Zealand

New Zealand Traveller DeclarationEveryone entering New Zealand must complete a New Zealand Traveller Declaration. If travelling by air, you can generally submit it from 24 hours before your journey begins.

Source: New Zealand Traveller Declaration Source: Immigration New Zealand

Know your work rights before workingStudent visas generally allow up to 25 hours of work per week during study and full-time work in scheduled holidays, depending on your visa conditions. To get full-time holiday work rights you may need to show your course is worth 120 credits and provide holiday dates.

Source: Immigration New Zealand Source: Immigration New Zealand

Preparing your finances? Try the study cost calculator, browse common questions in the student visa FAQ, or practise with sample interview questions. Your case may need more or fewer documents than shown here — always verify with official sources.