New Zealand · Visa guide
New Zealand Student Visa
The Fee Paying Student Visa — the main route for Indian students enrolling full-time at a New Zealand university, polytechnic or institute.
- ProcessingTypically 4-6 weeks once fully documented
- Visa categoryStudent Visa
- Your guideOne consultant
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New Zealand Student Visa — overview
The New Zealand Student Visa (Fee Paying Student Visa) is the route used by the overwhelming majority of Indian students. It covers full-time enrolment in a single qualification at an approved school, university, polytechnic or private training establishment, and is granted for the full course length, up to four years on one visa.
The application turns on three things: a genuine offer of place from an approved provider, clear proof of tuition and living-cost funds (NZD 20,000 per year), and a credible study plan. India is part of Immigration NZ's Funds Transfer Scheme (FTS) with ANZ Bank — strongly recommended, because unclear finances are the single biggest cause of Indian student refusals. Eligible students can work up to 25 hours a week during term.
Lifeset Overseas guides the offer of place, the FTS funds route, the statement of purpose and the document file so your genuineness and your finances are both beyond question.
8 items
Documents you need
Offer of place
A formal offer from an NZQA-approved provider, naming the course, level, dates, holidays and tuition fee.
Tuition evidence
A paid receipt, an Approval-in-Principle undertaking, or an education-loan sanction letter from an Indian bank.
Academic documents
Attested 10th, 12th and bachelor's mark sheets and degree certificates.
English-language test
IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT or OET at the level the institution requires (typically IELTS 6.0-6.5).
Living-cost funds
Proof of at least NZD 20,000 per year — bank statements, liquid fixed deposits, or an FTS deposit confirmation from ANZ Bank New Zealand.
Statement of purpose
Explaining why this course, this institution and New Zealand, and your plans after study.
Police clearance certificate
A PCC less than 6 months old if your total stay will reach 24 months.
Health & insurance
Chest X-ray (INZ 1096), a general medical certificate (INZ 1007) for stays over 12 months, and travel/medical insurance for the full visa.
5 steps
How the process works
Typical processing: Typically 4-6 weeks once fully documented — peak intakes can run 8-10 weeks. Apply at least 3 months before your course starts.
Step 1
Free profile & course review
We confirm your course choice fits your background and map the funds and document plan.
Step 2
Build the file & statement of purpose
Offer of place, academics, English score, funds evidence and a strong SOP are prepared and verified.
Step 3
Arrange the Funds Transfer Scheme
Where helpful, we set up the ANZ FTS route so your living-cost funds are confirmed cleanly.
Step 4
Lodge online & give biometrics
The application is submitted via Immigration Online; biometrics are given at a VFS Global centre in India.
Step 5
Decision & eVisa
Immigration New Zealand assesses the file and issues the student visa electronically.
Transparent
Costs & fees
Item
Amount
Student visa application fee
Standard online fee for Indian applicants.
NZD 750 - 850
Medical exam & chest X-ray
Done at an Immigration NZ panel physician in India.
Confirmed at booking
Police certificate & VFS biometrics
Plus courier and translation costs where needed.
Confirmed at booking
Government and third-party fees change often — we confirm the exact current amounts for your case before you pay anything.
3 answers
Frequently asked questions
- Q.What is the Funds Transfer Scheme?
- FTS is a joint Immigration NZ and ANZ Bank scheme for students from India and a few other countries. You pre-deposit a year of living-cost funds into a locked NZ account; ANZ confirms it to Immigration NZ and releases it to you monthly after you arrive. It directly addresses the most common reason Indian student visas are refused.
- Q.Can I work while studying?
- Most student visas allow up to 25 hours of work per week during term and full-time during scheduled breaks. PhD candidates have no cap.
- Q.How much money do I need to show?
- Tuition for the first year (or full course if shorter), plus at least NZD 20,000 per year for living costs — from a verifiable source, ideally seasoned in your account.
Why it matters
Going it alone vs filing with us
On your own
- Guessing the document list — one missing or wrongly formatted paper triggers a refusal.
- Generic cover letters copied from the internet that officers recognise and flag.
- No read on peak rejection windows or what this visa post is strict about.
- Government and VFS fees are non-refundable — money lost if you are refused.
- A refusal stamp follows you and weakens every future visa application.
With Lifeset Overseas
- An honest case assessment before you spend a rupee on government fees.
- A file built to the embassy's exact checklist and in the exact order.
- Weak finances, ties or purpose identified and fixed before submission.
- Previously refused? We can rescue and rebuild the file.
- Every case handled by one licensed consultant, end to end.
Refused before?
A refusal isn't the end
Refused applicants often win the second time — once the real reason is fixed. If a New Zealand visa has been refused, we:
- Read the actual refusal letter and pinpoint the real gaps.
- Advise whether to pull the officer's notes (CAIPS / GCMS) for the true reason.
- Identify which part was weak — funds, employment, purpose or ties.
- Tell you honestly whether to reapply now or strengthen the file first.
- Rebuild a stronger application — same fixed fee, refusal or first try.
Your next step
Ready to start your New Zealand Student Visa?
A visa file is won or lost on the small things — a mismatched date, a thin financial trail, a document formatted wrong. We go deep into your profile, build every document properly, and give you an honest verdict before you commit. If your case isn't ready, we'll tell you — and tell you exactly how to fix it.
Free, honest assessment
We read your full profile and tell you straight whether your case is ready — before you pay anything.
Your file, built right
Every document prepared, apostilled, translated and stress-tested the way the embassy expects.
One consultant, end to end
The same person handles your case from the first call to the visa decision — no hand-offs.
We handle the process
VFS appointment, biometrics, submission and follow-up — we manage the moving parts for you.
licensed (No. 849/DC/PTA/PLA/LC-3/2024)Fixed fees agreed upfrontWe won’t take a case we believe will fail
Other New Zealand visas
New Zealand Visitor Visa
A visa for tourism, family visits, weddings and short stays of up to 9 months — Indians need a full visitor visa, not an NZeTA.
New Zealand Business Visitor Visa
A visitor visa for short business activity in New Zealand — meetings, conferences and negotiations, with no employment.
New Zealand Student Guardian Visa
A visitor visa that lets one parent or legal guardian live in New Zealand with a child who is studying there.
New Zealand Skilled Migrant Residence
The Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa — the main permanent-residence route for skilled Indians, points-based and tied to a skilled job.
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- No handovers between staff
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