Fee Paying StudentVerified 2026-04-19New Zealand Fee Paying Student Visa
The Fee Paying Student Visa is the primary route for Indian students going to New Zealand. NZ is among the top 6 destinations for Indian students. Covers diplomas, bachelor's, master's, PhD, and other full-time courses at approved education providers. Fee NZD 850; up to 4 years per visa. Work rights up to 25 hrs/week during term + full-time during holidays (for level 7+ courses). Leads to Post Study Work Visa → AEWV → PR.
Processing
Varies by visa category — Visitor 80% in 2 weeks; Business Visitor 1 week; Student 8 weeks; Post Study Work 4 weeks; AEWV 6 weeks; SMC/Green List 6-12 months
Stay Duration
Up to 4 years per visa
Starting Fee
NZD 850
Apply At
12 VFS centres
Special Instructions — Read Before Applying
These requirements apply to ALL New Zealand visa types. Violations mean your application will be rejected — read each one carefully.
- 1INDIA IS NOT ON THE NZ VISA WAIVER / NZeTA LIST — every Indian traveller, even for a weekend holiday, must apply for a full visa before travel.
- 2Passport must be valid at least 3 MONTHS beyond your intended departure from New Zealand. Airlines may deny boarding otherwise.
- 3Apply online at apply.immigration.govt.nz — create a RealMe or Immigration Online account. Paper applications are no longer accepted for most categories.
- 4Medical requirements scale with stay length: under 6 months = usually no X-ray; 6-12 months = TB chest X-ray mandatory (India is a high-TB-incidence country); over 12 months = full medical certificate. X-rays must be by INZ Panel Physicians ONLY — other clinics' reports are rejected.
- 5Police Clearance Certificate (from PSK) is required if you're 17+ AND your total NZ stay will be 24 months or longer. PCC must be less than 6 months old at submission.
- 6Visitor funds requirement: NZD 1,000 per month of stay (NZD 400 per month if accommodation is pre-paid).
- 7Strong ties to India (employment, property, family, ongoing business) are critical for temporary visa approval — INZ checks 'genuine intentions' to return.
- 8INDIA HAS NO WORKING HOLIDAY SCHEME with NZ — young Indians cannot take the 'work and travel' route that UK/Germany/Japan citizens enjoy. Work visas require full AEWV + accredited employer.
- 9Job offer scams from India are a known issue — INZ EXPLICITLY states it will DECLINE your visa if you've paid any money to an NZ employer for a job offer. Verify accreditation on INZ website.
- 10TB X-ray is MANDATORY for Indian students — India is a high-TB-incidence country. Must be done by INZ Panel Physician only.
- 11Students under 10 must be accompanied by a parent/legal guardian — apply for Guardian Visitor Visa concurrently.
Who Can Apply
- Indian students admitted to approved NZ education providers
- Full-time students (courses 3+ months)
- Applicants with tuition paid for year 1 or full course + NZD 20,000/year living costs
- Genuine student intentions + plan for post-study career
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Fees (in INR)
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Fee Paying Student Visa | NZD 850 |
| Pathway Student Visa (up to 3 consecutive courses) | NZD 850 |
| English Language Student Visa | NZD 850 |
| Post Study Work Visa | NZD 1,670 |
All NZ visa fees are set in NZD by Immigration New Zealand and paid online at apply.immigration.govt.nz. The INR amount depends on NZD/INR exchange rate on payment day. Additional costs: medical/TB X-ray at INZ Panel Physician (₹6,000-12,000), Police Clearance Certificate (free from PSK but courier/apostille extra), NZQA International Qualifications Assessment (NZD 746 if below-bachelor), translation, biometrics, and Immigration Levy (separate from base fee). Non-refundable regardless of outcome. Tuition fees (NZD 25,000-50,000/year typical) + NZD 20,000/year living costs are MANDATORY evidence. Funds Transfer Scheme (FTS) is an INZ-endorsed way for Indian students to transfer living funds — use it to strengthen financial evidence.
Documents Required
Study Documents (most critical)
- !Offer of Place from approved NZ institution
Signed and unconditional preferred.
- !Tuition fees receipt or education loan sanction letter
Indian bank loan sanction from SBI, HDFC, ICICI, Axis, Credila, Avanse etc. is widely accepted.
- !Academic transcripts (10th, 12th, bachelor's, etc.)
- !English test scores (IELTS/TOEFL/PTE) meeting provider requirement
- !Statement of Purpose (SOP)
Why this course, why NZ, career plan, intent to return to India. Highly scrutinised.
- ○CV / resume
Financial Evidence
- !Tuition + living funds evidence
NZD 20,000/year living costs + 1st year tuition. Bank statements, FTS evidence, or education loan sanction letter.
- !Sponsor's (parent's) bank statements + ITR (3 years) + employment proof
Shows ongoing ability to fund course duration.
- ○Property / assets of sponsor
Strengthens financial profile.
- ○Scholarship letter (if applicable)
Health + Character
- !TB chest X-ray by INZ Panel Physician
Mandatory for Indian students (stays >6 months).
- ○Full medical certificate
If stay exceeds 12 months.
- ○Police Clearance Certificate
If stay exceeds 24 months.
Insurance + Core
- !Medical/travel insurance acceptable to education provider
- !Passport (3+ months beyond departure)
- !Passport photo
! = mandatory · ○ = optional / if applicable
🗺️ Step-by-Step Application Process
Get admission to NZ institution + pay deposit
Apply to NZ universities/polytechnics, receive Offer of Place, pay deposit/first year tuition.
Take IELTS/TOEFL/PTE + arrange funds
Meet English requirement; arrange education loan or show funds via FTS/bank statements.
Complete online application at apply.immigration.govt.nz
Create RealMe/Immigration Online account. Upload all documents.
Book TB X-ray at INZ Panel Physician
eMedical — results uploaded directly to INZ.
Pay NZD 850 online
Plus separate Immigration Levy.
Biometrics at VFS Global NZ India
Book nearest centre.
Wait for decision (~8 weeks for 80%)
Digital eVisa linked to passport.
Travel to NZ — arrive up to 2 weeks before course start
Settle, enrol, start course.
Download Official Forms
Official forms are hosted by VFS Global — we don't host third-party forms ourselves, so you always get the latest version.
📋 How to download from VFS:
- Click the form name below — opens VFS Switzerland page
- Select the visa category you're applying for (e.g. Tourist, Business, Student)
- Scroll down to the "Download Form" section at the bottom
- Click the PDF icon next to the form name → saves to your device
Immigration NZ Online Application Portal
Create a RealMe account or Immigration Online account. All NZ visas for Indian applicants are lodged here online.
Immigration New Zealand — Official Visa Information
Authoritative source for all NZ visa categories, fee updates, and occupation/wage thresholds (which change frequently).
VFS Global NZ — Biometrics & Document Submission (India)
Where Indian applicants submit biometrics, book appointments, and track passport delivery.
INZ Panel Physicians — Medical Examination (India)
Only INZ Panel Physicians' medical reports are accepted — e-medical system. Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, and others.
NZQA International Qualifications Assessment
Required for below-bachelor foreign qualifications applying for work/residence visas. NZD 746 fee.
Green List Occupations (current)
Check if your occupation is Tier 1 (straight to residence) or Tier 2 (work to residence). Updated frequently — verify before applying.
Immigration Advisers Authority (IAA) Register
Check if your advisor is IAA-licensed BEFORE paying for immigration advice. Critical for avoiding scams.
VFS Application Centres
Visa Eligibility Check
Answer 10 questions to see your likelihood of approval. Embassies look for the same core factors across visa types — financial strength, clear purpose, genuine intent to return.
How clear is your purpose of visit?
How long is your planned stay?
Travel history to developed countries?
Any previous visa refusals?
Employment / income source?
3-month average bank balance?
Income Tax Returns history?
Travel bookings status?
Ties to India (reasons you'll return)?
Travelling with?
Indicative only — final decision is always with the Embassy.
💡 Pro Tips
- Create your RealMe account at realme.govt.nz first — it's the gateway for all NZ immigration services.
- For temporary visas (Visitor, Student, Work), build a strong 'ties to India' narrative: employment letter with leave approval, property, bank balance consistent with ITR, family commitments, cover letter.
- Medical/TB X-ray: book with an INZ Panel Physician (eMedical system) — results are uploaded electronically by the clinic directly to INZ, no paper form. Typical cost: ₹6,000–12,000.
- Use Funds Transfer Scheme (FTS) for student visas — India is one of the eligible countries. Strengthens the 'genuine student' financial narrative.
- For AEWV / residence: CV alone is NOT sufficient — INZ requires employment certificates on company letterhead + payslips + Form 16/ITR covering the full experience claim.
- Use only IAA-licensed immigration advisers if paying for advice. Verify licence at iaa.govt.nz — unlicensed paid advice is a legal offence in NZ.
- NZ issues digital eVisas linked to your passport — no sticker. Check your visa grant via Visa Verification Service online.
- Apply 4–8 weeks before travel for Visitor visas; 3–4 months before course start for Student visas.
- Apply 3-4 months before course intake. Peak Indian student intake (Feb/July) triggers longer processing waits.
- The SOP is the single most important document — invest serious effort. Address: course choice rationale, why NZ specifically, career plan linking back to India, post-study pathway.
- Use FTS (Funds Transfer Scheme) — secure INZ-approved way to transfer living funds. Strengthens genuine-student narrative.
- Level 7+ courses (bachelor's and above) unlock full work rights + Post Study Work Visa eligibility. Level 4-6 courses have more restrictions.
- Post Study Work Visa (NZD 1,670) is the critical bridge — apply within 3 months of student visa expiry. Can only be applied for ONCE per lifetime.
Common Rejection Reasons
- 1.Weak SOP — unclear course rationale or career plan
- 2.Insufficient financial evidence — unable to show full course funding
- 3.Low-ranked institution or questionable course selection relative to academic background
- 4.Inconsistencies in employment, academic, or financial history
- 5.Previous student visa violations in NZ or other countries
Frequently Asked Questions
How much funds do I need to show?+
Can I work while studying?+
What is Post Study Work Visa?+
Can my spouse accompany me?+
What is FTS?+
Let us prepare your New Zealand Fee Paying Student Visa application
Free consultation. Our experts handle the entire file — cover letter, documents, VFS booking, embassy follow-up.
Other New Zealand Visa Types
New Zealand Visitor Visa (Tourism / Family Visit)
The main tourism and family-visit visa for Indian citizens. Up to 6 months multi-entry or 9 months single-entry. NZD 441. 80% decided in 2 weeks.
New Zealand Business Visitor Visa
For Indian professionals visiting NZ for business meetings, negotiations, conferences, or consultations. NZD 341. Up to 3 months in any 12-month period. Cannot take up NZ employment.
New Zealand Medical Treatment Visitor Visa
For Indian patients travelling to NZ for private medical treatment or consultation. NZD 441. Requires NZ hospital/specialist letter + funds for treatment + stay.
New Zealand Transit Visa
For Indian travellers passing through Auckland airport en route to a third country for up to 24 hours. Free or nominal fee.
New Zealand Culturally Arranged Marriage Visitor Visa
For Indian citizens coming to NZ to marry their NZ citizen/resident fiancé(e) in an arranged marriage — within 3 months of arrival. Pathway to Partnership Resident Visa.
New Zealand Pathway Student Visa
A single visa covering up to 3 consecutive study programmes (e.g. English → Foundation → Bachelor's). Valid up to 5 years. NZD 850. Saves money vs 3 separate student visas.
New Zealand Post Study Work Visa — Informational
Critical bridge visa after completing qualifying NZ course. Up to 3 years open work rights. NZD 1,670. Only one PSWV per lifetime. Gateway to AEWV and PR.
New Zealand Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) — Informational
The main NZ work visa — requires job offer from accredited employer meeting pay/hours thresholds. NZD 1,540. Up to 5 years. Leads to PR via SMC or Green List.
Source & Disclaimer
Data on this page is sourced from the official VFS Global New Zealand website and Embassy of New Zealand. Last verified 2026-04-19. Always verify with the official embassy before applying — fees and requirements change without notice.