Why study in New Zealand?

New Zealand also has an international reputation as a provider of quality education.

It offers a safe learning environment which provides excellent study opportunities and support services for international students. Courses are available for academic, professional and vocational studies at universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, secondary schools and private training establishments.

has become a preferred study destination for many international students due to the following reasons: –

1) Safe yet modern: – This country of just over 4 million people is an easy going and one of the safest places on this earth with high quality living conditions and a modern lifestyle. New Zealand has never seen war on its own shores and crime here is extremely low compared to America and Europe. The New Zealand government is also very stable and the New Zealanders are very outward looking and welcoming of new cultures.

2) British based education system: – The New Zealand education programs and degrees are based on the worlds most recognized and accredited education system- The British System- without the same expense.

3) International recognition of courses and degrees: – New Zealand qualifications are of a high quality and have a reputation around the world for being practical, modern and desired. All courses, programs and qualifications offered by New Zealand institutions are quality assured by the New Zealand government. Major employers around the world recognize New Zealand qualifications and employ New Zealand graduates.

4) Competitive Costs: – New Zealand offers very affordable tuition fee compared with many other countries around the world. Competitive tuition fees coupled with a low cost of living represents a good value for your money.

5) Multiculturalism: – New Zealand has a dynamic and harmonious multicultural society. Kiwis are friendly and pleasant and are opening their doors to offer you warm and welcoming environments. International students are highly respected in New Zealand and you will feel most welcome here.

6) Support Services: – New Zealand has a long history of teaching international students and New Zealand institutions are sensitive to the needs of international students. The “International Office” in tertiary institutions provides a high quality support service to help you adjust to your new environment and successfully complete your studies.

7) Recreational wonderland: – From the rugged mountains to the sandy beaches New Zealand is a land of great variety. This is also true of educational and cultural programs on offer to international students. Although New Zealand has a population of only 4.3 million and is similar in geographical size to the U.K. and Japan, its breathtaking scenery sets it apart from the rest of the world. New Zealand offers exciting landscape and recreational opportunities as well as great outdoors to treasure.

8) Work while you study: – All students on a student visa can work up to 20 hours per week during semester and full time during vacations i.e. 40 hours. Many New Zealand institutions offer a student employment service called ‘Student Job Search’ to help you find work.

9) Opportunity to settle permanently in New Zealand: – If you complete your course successfully, you automatically get a 12 months ‘Work Permit’ under the student visa policy. In most instances this permit will be done at your institution itself. This allows you to work full time in any job of your choice. However if you want to get a New Zealand Permanent Residency (PR), then you have to find a job that is relevant to the course that you have completed. Eg: If you have completed a course in IT, then you have to find a job as a programmer, analyst, etc. This will immediately give you a 2 years work permit with all rights like free medical, etc. Upon receiving this 2 years work permit then you can apply for PR and normally will get it within 5-6 months. If you do not find a job that is relevant to your course, you can continue to work in any job for 12 months and try and recover some of the investment you have made towards your study in NZ. You will that way end up by recovering a bulk of the fees you have paid and also end up with an international experience which will come in handy if you have to return to India. There are plenty of jobs in NZ, and while it may not be easy to get one, if you are good enough, you will easily get one. For more information please visit www.immigration.govt.nz.

10) No personal visa interview and NO outright visa rejection: – The Immigration Department of New Zealand NEVER rejects a visa application outright without giving you a chance to explain. Compare this with other countries who do not give you an opportunity to mention your side of the story. As long as you are able to explain clearly why you have chosen a particular course, there is no danger of not getting the visa. We will help you with the course selection that will enable you to create a good ‘Statement of Purpose’ (SOP) that will help the visa officer understand clearly and give a favorable decision.

11) Further education after acquiring Permanent Residency: -Once you acquire your Permanent Residency and if you want to study further, then you become eligible for study loans from the Government of New Zealand. You can avail of these loans and pay after you complete the course. Your dependence o your parents can stop after you get your PR. You can also continue to work as much as you like while pursuing your further studies after PR. The 20 hours per week restriction goes away.

WITH THIS UNIQUE COMBINATION OF TOP QUALITY EDUCATION AND TOP CLASS SERVICES, WHY NOT BECOME A TOP CLASS STUDENT OF NEW ZEALAND.

Visas

All people who wish to study abroad in New Zealand for more than 3 months will need a student visa. The only exception applies to Australian citizens. They can study in New Zealand without a visa. All other international students will have to acquire a student visa in order to be able to study in New Zealand.

Those who wish to study courses that last for 3 months or less won’t need to acquire student visa.

Your student visa will state how long you can stay in the country, whether you can work while studying, who counts as your dependent, and more. In order to get your student visa, you need to officially apply for it and pay a student visa application fee.

If you are already in New Zealand when applying for your student visa, you will need to go through the regular application process. In some cases you might be able to process your student visa directly on campus.

In special circumstances, you will be able to change the conditions of your visa. For example, if you are on another visa type and you want to study part time or if you are on a student visa but you want to change courses or course providers. You might need to change conditions of your visa if you wish to work while studying.

What do I need to apply?

The full requirements are listed at the front of the Application To Study In New Zealand form but an outline list of documents is as follows:

  • A valid passport
  • A completed application form
  • The application fee
  • Two recent passport-sized photos
  • An unconditional offer of place to study at a university in New Zealand
  • Receipt showing payment of one year’s tuition fees (provided that your visa application has been approved in principle)
  • Guarantee of accommodation
  • Evidence of sufficient funds for maintenance, via a letter or bank statement, or completed Financial Undertaking form (INZ 1014)
  • Evidence of sufficient funds to purchase an outward ticket.

Will I need to provide any character documents?

All applicants for New Zealand visas need to be of good character. This generally means you have no criminal convictions. If you have convictions or if you intend on remaining in New Zealand for more than 24 months you will need to provide police clearances from each country for which you have citizenship. You will also need to provide police clearances for every country you have lived in for five years or more since you turned 17.

Will I need to provide any health documents?

In order to be eligible for a visa for New Zealand you must have an ‘acceptable standard of health’. In order for INZ to check this you may be asked to provide a medical and/or x-ray certificate. As an international fee-paying student, however, you do not need to provide any medical documents at the point of application unless the student visa application form (INZ 1012) or the student visa guide (INZ 1013) specifically indicates that you should. If INZ requires a medical or chest x-ray during assessment, 
a visa officer will be in touch to request this from you directly.

Can I take my partner with me?

It is not possible to add your partner to your student visa as a dependant. Your partner will need to apply for their own visa to be in New Zealand if he or she wishes to work or study. They have the option of applying for a work visa as the partner of a student who is either:

i) Studying for a qualification in an area of absolute skill shortage, as specified in the Long Term Skill Shortage List, or

ii) Studying for a postgraduate qualification.

If your course of study does not fall into either of these categories, your partner will need to apply to be in New Zealand of their own accord, for example under the Working Holiday Scheme, the Essential Skills Visa or the Skilled Migrant Category.  Please see the New Zealand Visas for Partners and Families page for more information.

How long does a visa take to get?

Immigration New Zealand recommends you allow between four and six weeks for student visa processing.

How soon can I travel to New Zealand once I get my visa?

The visa is valid immediately upon issuing, so once you have your visa you can use it to enter New Zealand.

How long will my visa last?

The visa is valid for the duration of your course if it is up to 12 months long, or for the academic year for courses that are longer than a year.

Can I apply for another visa when my course finishes?

Yes. If you meet policy, you may apply for residence or for another temporary visa. For information about other visa options, please visit www.immigration.govt.nz.

What are my obligations?

You must hold comprehensive health insurance for the duration of your stay, as only residents and holders of two year or longer work permits are eligible for publicly funded health and disability services. You also have a legal obligation to be in New Zealand on a valid permit at all times. If you fail to remain in New Zealand lawfully you may be declined a visa to travel to the country in the future.

All information is correct at the time of going to press but is subject to change. Please check INZ’s website for the most up-to-date information, at www.immigration.govt.nz.