INSURANCE - Policy requirements

• A resident or citizen of Australia; or
• A national of the United Kingdom living in
• New Zealand; or
• The holder of a temporary permit that is valid

VISA APPLICATION

Most students are required to have a visa (get entry clearance) before they come.

Getting a visa may take some time, so it is a good idea to be prepared and to have all the information you need to meet immigration requirements before you apply.

Visa Requirements:

New Zealand overseas student policy is designed to facilitate the entry of foreign students for the purpose of:

(a) Fostering the development of international linkages and mutual goodwill and understanding through reciprocal exchange schemes;

(b) Promoting increased foreign exchange earnings from educational services;

(c) Enhancing the quality of New Zealand educational services.

To obtain a student visa / permit you must meet the following policy requirements:

(a) An offer of a place in an educational institution in New Zealand including; The name of the course and the minimum time required for completion; Evidence that the course meets foreign student policy requirements; The amount of the fee for the complete course or if the course is longer than 1 year, the annual fee;

Whether you need or do not need to pay course fees;

(b) Evidence of:

Exemption from course fees; or Payment of course fees. (For applications dealt with outside New Zealand this evidence is not required until after your application has been approved in principle); and

(c) A guarantee of accommodation from either the institution or from some other person prepared to provide accommodation; and

(d) Evidence of sufficient funds for maintenance during the student's stay in New Zealand including:

The notice of the award of a full scholarship; or

Completed "Financial Undertaking for Student" form.

Sponsors signing this financial undertaking form must have the equivalent of NZ$10,000 in your bank account available to the students should they require it.

Alternatively for short term students taking courses of less than 36 weeks, a letter or certificate from a bank in New Zealand confirming sufficient funds for day to day living and the purchase of a return ticket or a letter from the educational institution confirming that accommodation and other living expenses are included as part of prepaid package (e.g. home stay) will be acceptable.

For long term students taking courses of 36 weeks or longer, evidence of funds of NZ$10.000 per year available in New Zealand for the student (travelers cheques, bank documents in the student's name are acceptable) is required if a "Financial Undertaking for Student" is not available.

Fees

Certain nationals are exempt from paying the New Zealand Immigration Service student visa fee.

Health and Character Requirements

If you intend to study in New Zealand for more than 24 months you must undergo a Medical and X-Ray examination before a Student Visa / Permit will be granted.

You will also have to supply a police certificate from your country of citizenship.

Full details of visa and permit requirements, advice on rights to employment in New Zealand while studying, and reporting requirements are available through the New Zealand Immigration Service, and can be viewed on their web site at http://www.immigration.govt.nz

Latest Immigration policy changes affecting students (2011)

Read the Information sheet: Immigration policy changes affecting students PDF [368KB]

Students holding New Zealand qualifications or students who are currently studying towards New Zealand qualifications will not be affected by changes to the Study to Work instructions or the points available under the Skilled Migrant Category.  

HOMESTAY

Experience a unique opportunity to meet New Zealanders.
Living with a home stay is the perfect way to help you practice your English outside the classroom and understand New Zealand culture. Most students ask us to find home stay accommodation for them.

Home stays offer independence and welcoming, clean and comfortable accommodation. In addition, you will meet a friendly Kiwi family to talk to and exchange cultures with.

What are your special requirements?

We choose your home stay carefully, so when you register, we will ask you what kind of home stay you would like to stay with.

What are our home stays?

They are; Carefully selected for their friendliness.
Provide bed, breakfast and evening meals Monday to Friday, with all meals at the weekend.
Give your own room.
Promise never to have 2 students of the same first language unless requested.
Are experienced in looking after students of all ages and nationalities.
Before you arrive in New Zealand you receive a profile of the home stay you are going to stay with. We also give the home stay some information about you. For students who prefer to be more independent during their stay we can help with alternative accommodation such as hostels, rental houses, flats or apartments.

Rentals and Apartments

A large number of students will go flatting which is when a house or apartment (called a 'flat') is rented by a group of friends. A flat can include 2 to 5 bedrooms and be a single house or part of a group of apartments or units. The people who rent a flat take the responsibility to keep the flat clean and tidy and to pay the weekly rent payments. The house/apartment rent will start at NZ$185 per week and this cost will be divided between the number of people in the flat. In addition to the rent you also need to pay for the costs of electricity, telephone, food and for the cost of furniture for the flat. When all the costs are taken into account the cost of flatting and home stay are similar but flatting offers more flexibility and freedom. This option is suitable for students 18 years old & above.

Hostels

There are several types of hostel accommodation. Some include meals, some provide cooking facilities for students to cook for themselves and some are similar to flatting with other students. Hostels provide you with your own room and shared bathroom and laundry facilities. In those hostels in which you cook by yourself you may also need to provide your own blankets, pillow, towels and cooking equipment. The fees will vary depending on the location and type of accommodation but the cost will be between NZ$90 and NZ$180 per week. The cost can be paid in advance monthly or by semester.

Accommodation options

All above Prices are subject to change without notice and availability.