Good fit
International students with an offer from an approved NZ provider, funds for tuition and living costs (or an acceptable sponsor), and genuine study intent.
New Zealand · Study to PR
Fee Paying Student Visa
A New Zealand student visa for people with an offer of place from an approved education provider who pay international tuition (or partial scholarship). INZ says stay can be up to 4 years, online applications cost from NZD $850, and 80% of decisions are within 9.5 weeks. Limited part-time work (up to 25 hours a week while studying, full-time in holidays) depends on visa conditions. Living funds are typically NZD $20,000 per year for tertiary study.
Status note. Immigration New Zealand describes the Fee Paying Student Visa as the main full-time study route for international fee-paying students. Paper applications are no longer accepted; apply online. New Zealand has no dedicated digital-nomad visa in this record.
Decision fit
Who this pathway serves
Important limits
Applicants without an approved provider offer, people seeking unrestricted work or a digital-nomad stay, or those who cannot show funds, insurance, health, or character requirements.
Minimums · 1 of 9 fields sourced
Eligibility
Age
AgeIf aged under 10 and not in an NZQA-approved hostel, a parent or legal guardian must accompany you and you must live with them while studying.
ContextIf aged under 10 and not in an NZQA-approved hostel, a parent or legal guardian must accompany you and you must live with them while studying.
Work experience
Language
Education
ContextMust be offered a place on a course by an approved education provider that is a signatory to the Education (Pastoral Care of Tertiary and International Learners) Code of Practice 2021.
Selection threshold
CompetitionUnknown - confirm with the official source
Health and character
Medical examYes
Police certificateUnknown - confirm with the official source
Costs · 2 of 2 fields sourced
Funds and fees
Settlement funds
| Family size | Minimum funds |
|---|---|
| 20000 NZD |
Application fees
- 850 NZDFee Paying Student Visa application fee (from)
Outcomes · 6 of 7 fields sourced
Residence, work, and family
Permanent residence
WorkLimited or conditional
StudyYes
ContextA student visa is temporary. Later work or residence routes such as AEWV or Skilled Migrant Category may apply under their own rules after study.
Family
PartnerLimited or conditional
ChildrenLimited or conditional
ContextYou cannot include a partner or dependent children in the student visa application; they may apply for visas based on their relationship to you.
Citizenship
ContextStudent visa sources do not establish citizenship eligibility.
Processing time
Modeled2–3 months
ContextINZ states cost from NZD $850, processing 80% within 9.5 weeks, and strongly encourages applying 3 months before travel. Maximum stay up to 4 years; visa length usually matches paid study or passport validity if sooner.
Sources
Official sources
Citations
Field provenance
Information only, not legal advice. Rules, fees, and processing times change. Confirm the linked official pages before acting.