For students paying international fees themselves or with family, loan or partial scholarship support. Needs an offer of place.
- Stay
- Up to 4 years
- INZ visa fee
- From NZD $850
- Processing
- 80% within 7 weeks
+ our service fee, quoted upfront
Study in New Zealand · Education & training
Study here. Stay on purpose.
Student visas, pathway study, visas for your children at school and the post-study work options that open up when you graduate, including the new rules from 16 November 2026.
At a glance
5visas in this pathway
4INZ updates this year
Facts checked 14 Oct 2026
Who this is for
Is this your situation?
01
International students
Choosing a provider and course that supports where you want to end up.
02
Graduates
Post-Study Work and the new Short-Term Graduate Work Visa.
03
Families
School places for your children while you study or work.
Visas in this pathway
The options, with official facts.
Length of stay, cost and processing time as published by Immigration New Zealand on 14 October 2026. Tick up to three to compare.
Study up to 3 courses back to back on one visa with a Pathway offer of place and the funds for fees and living costs.
- Stay
- Up to 5 years
- INZ visa fee
- From NZD $750
- Processing
- 80% within 7 weeks
+ our service fee, quoted upfront
Brings your children to primary or secondary school while you hold an eligible work or student visa.
- Stay
- Same as the parent’s visa
- INZ visa fee
- From NZD $750
- Processing
- 80% within 8 weeks
+ our service fee, quoted upfront
Stay and work after completing an eligible New Zealand qualification. Eligibility widens on 16 November 2026.
- Stay
- Up to 3 years
- INZ visa fee
- From NZD $1,670
- Processing
- 80% within 5 weeks
+ our service fee, quoted upfront
New from 16 November 2026 for Level 5–7 graduates who don’t qualify for a Post-Study Work Visa. Apply within 3 months of your student visa expiring.
- Stay
- 6 months, open work
- INZ visa fee
- See INZ page
- Processing
- Opens 16 Nov 2026
+ our service fee, quoted upfront
Recent changes
What’s changed for study.
Official announcements affecting this pathway, summarised in plain English.
In effect
BNZ joins the Funds Transfer Scheme for students
University and polytechnic students can now choose BNZ or ANZ to transfer and hold living funds. Private Training Establishment students continue with ANZ.
Source: Immigration New ZealandComing up
Post-Study Work Visa eligibility widens on 16 November
Graduates of an NZQCF Level 7 graduate diploma who studied it full-time in New Zealand and also hold a bachelor’s degree will be eligible for a Post-Study Work Visa of up to 1 year.
Source: Immigration New ZealandComing up
New Short-Term Graduate Work Visa opens 16 November
A new 6-month open work visa for eligible Level 5–7 graduates who don’t qualify for a Post-Study Work Visa, giving time to find a job and move to an AEWV.
Source: Immigration New ZealandIn effect
Police certificates are now required upfront
If your student or temporary visa needs a police certificate, upload it when you apply. INZ won’t usually ask for a missing one — the application may be declined or granted for less time.
Source: Immigration New ZealandHow we help
From first question to final decision.
- 01
Assessment
We check your eligibility against the rules in force on the day you apply.
- 02
Strategy
The right visa, the right order and the right timing.
- 03
Documents
A checklist for your case and a review of every document.
- 04
Lodgement
We lodge online and deal with INZ for you.
- 05
Decision
We stay with you through the decision and what comes next.
Study FAQs
Your study questions, answered.
Straight answers to common questions. If yours isn’t here, ask our AI or a licensed adviser.
When should I apply for my student visa?
INZ recommends at least 3 months before your course starts, and earlier if you are applying from India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka or Pakistan because volumes are higher. Late applications are not prioritised.
Do I need a police certificate upfront?
If one is required, yes. Since 1 July 2026 INZ expects required police certificates to be uploaded with student and temporary visa applications; a missing one can lead to a decline or a shorter visa.
What changes for graduates on 16 November 2026?
Post-Study Work Visa eligibility extends to some Level 7 graduate diploma holders who also hold a bachelor’s degree, and a new 6-month Short-Term Graduate Work Visa opens for eligible Level 5–7 graduates.
Side by side
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