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Study in New Zealand
Safe, beautiful and well regarded for education, with work rights during your studies. Here is how the Fee Paying Student Visa works.
At a glance
| Main visa | Fee Paying Student Visa: full-time study for up to 4 years. |
|---|---|
| Money to show | NZD 20,000 per year for tertiary study (NZD 1,667 per month if under a year), plus tuition and return travel. |
| Application fee | NZD 850, including a non-refundable NZD 100 levy. |
| Processing | 80% of applications are decided within 6 weeks. |
| When to apply | At least 3 months before travel, or 3 to 4 months during the October to March peak. |
| Work while studying | Up to 25 hours a week in term, full-time in scheduled holidays. |
| Health | A chest X-ray is needed for stays over 6 months for applicants from Bangladesh. |
Rules, fees and amounts change. We confirm the latest official figures with you before you apply.
Who can apply
- An Offer of Place from an approved education provider that signs the NZQA Code of Practice 2021. No offer, no visa application.
- Enough money or a scholarship for tuition, living costs and return travel.
- Health and travel insurance approved by your provider.
- A genuine intention to study and to leave New Zealand when your visa ends.
For applicants from Bangladesh, only immediate family (partner, parents, siblings, grandparents, parents-in-law) can sponsor you or give a financial undertaking.
Money you need
- Living costs: NZD 20,000 per year for tertiary, English or other non-compulsory study.
- Sponsor: must show bank statements, payslips, employment agreement and accommodation proof.
- Guarantor: completes a Financial Undertaking for a Student form and must show the funds are their own, not loaned.
- Funds Transfer Scheme: not available to Bangladeshi applicants, so standard bank and sponsor evidence is needed.
Step by step
Pick the right visa
For self-funded full-time study, this is usually the Fee Paying Student Visa.
Get your Offer of Place
Choose your course and provider, apply and get accepted.
Prepare your evidence
Offer of Place, health and character evidence, proof of funds and passport.
Apply online and pay the fee
Upload each document as one PDF and pay NZD 850.
Wait for your decision
You are emailed when it is made. If approved, you receive an eVisa.
Document checklist
The core documents. Your embassy or university may ask for more, and we check your full list with you.
- Passport and one acceptable photo
- Offer of Place
- Proof of tuition payment (or ability to pay)
- Proof of living funds from a genuine source
- Sponsor ID and/or Financial Undertaking form (if used)
- Chest X-ray (stays over 6 months)
- Police certificates (if your total stay will be 24 months or more)
- Proof of return travel or funds for a ticket
- Certified English translations
Work and after graduation
- Up to 25 hours a week during term and full-time during scheduled holidays.
- Get an IRD number if you plan to work.
- You must attend your course and make satisfactory progress.
- Partners and children apply on their own visas.
Common mistakes
- Sudden, large or unexplained bank deposits.
- A weak study plan, or a course that does not match your past education or work.
- Unclear sponsor income or source of funds.
- Fake or inconsistent documents.
- Applying too late, especially in the October to March peak season.
We will never promise you a visa or a decision date. What we promise is a complete, carefully checked file.
Questions students ask
Is IELTS required?
Not always, but English test results support your application.
Can a cousin or uncle sponsor me?
No. For applicants from Bangladesh, only immediate family can sponsor you.
How should I upload documents?
One PDF per document, with photos as JPG. Password-protected or zipped files are rejected.
