New Zealand has a student visa option that allows eligible international students to complete as many as three consecutive programmes of study under one visa, with the total stay potentially extending to five years.
The Pathway Student Visa is designed for students who have an approved study pathway and meet the immigration requirements set by the New Zealand government.
The length of stay depends on the duration of the approved study pathway.
Requirements for applicants
To qualify, applicants must have an offer of place from an approved pathway education provider.
They must also demonstrate that they can cover their tuition and living expenses. Applicants may meet the financial requirement through their own funds, an acceptable sponsor or a scholarship.
The visa currently costs from NZD $750, while Immigration New Zealand says 80 per cent of applications are processed within eight weeks.
Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications about three months before their planned travel date.
What students can do with the visa
The Pathway Student Visa allows eligible international students to:
- Study up to three programmes consecutively on one visa.
- Follow an approved education pathway towards their planned qualification.
- Work up to 25 hours per week while studying, where their course allows it.
- Work full-time during holidays where permitted.
- Travel to and from New Zealand while the visa remains valid.
Students moving from one programme to another must satisfy the entry requirements for the next course to remain eligible under the visa.
A break of up to 16 weeks may also be permitted between programmes.
Other visa conditions
International students are required to maintain full medical and travel insurance throughout their stay.
They must also satisfy New Zealand’s health and character requirements and demonstrate that they have a genuine purpose for travelling to the country.
Applicants are expected to show that they intend to leave New Zealand when their visa expires.
Students who already hold a New Zealand student visa must demonstrate satisfactory academic progress and comply with attendance requirements.
How the study pathway works
The programmes must form part of a pathway offered by an approved pathway education provider.
The education provider is required to issue a support letter identifying the programmes included in the pathway and providing the start and end dates for each course.
Students may study with more than one provider, although a joint support letter may be required in such cases.
The visa application does not allow a partner or dependent children to be included in the same application. However, eligible family members may apply separately for visas based on their relationship with the student.
Immigration New Zealand requires applications to be submitted online, as paper applications are no longer accepted.
