Quick Read
- Visa fee NZD 850 (₹45,322); living funds NZD 20,000/year (₹10.66L) separate.
- Indian offshore approval rate: 49.3% (1 Jan to 13 Sep 2026).
- Send three months of bank-stamped statements; ATM and net-banking printouts may fail.
- Apply four months before your intake; INZ advises three.
Types of New Zealand Student Visa: Which One Applies to You
Most Indian students need the Fee Paying Student Visa for degrees, diplomas, and postgraduate programs lasting more than three months, funded through savings, a loan, or family.
If you are planning to study in New Zealand, the fee-paying student visa is where the application starts.
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| Visa Type | Who It Is For | Duration | Work Rights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fee-Paying Student Visa | Full-time students paying tuition | Up to 4 years | 25 hrs/week during study; full-time on holidays |
| Pathway Student Visa | Students doing up to 3 consecutive courses on one visa | Up to 5 years | Same as Fee Paying |
| Exchange Student Visa | Students on a formal institutional exchange | Course duration | As per program conditions |
| English Language Student Visa | Students enrolled in a standalone English course | Course duration | 25 hrs/week during study |
Source: Immigration New Zealand: Visas for Studying in New Zealand
Application fee: NZD 850 (Rs.45,322) for the Fee Paying, English Language, and Exchange Student Visas; NZD 750 (Rs.39,990) for the Pathway Student Visa.
Before applying, want to confirm your institution is NZQA-approved? Check out our blog on Public universities in New Zealand.
New Zealand Student Visa Requirements for Indian Students in 2026
INZ looks at five things when assessing a New Zealand student visa application:
- Offer of place: A confirmed offer from an NZQA-approved institution. Conditional offers are fine for the AIP route.
- Tuition fee evidence: Proof of payment for one course or one year (the AIP route lets you pay after conditional approval).
- Sufficient funds: Evidence of living costs for your full duration in New Zealand.
- Health and character. If you’re staying longer than 6 months, you’ll need a chest X-ray. If your total stay adds up to 24 months or more, you’ll also need police clearance, provided you’re 17 or older.
- Genuine intention to study. Immigration New Zealand wants to see that your study plan holds together. Does your academic background fit the course, and do you have clear reasons to go back to India afterwards? The officer simply decides whether your plan is believable.
- The Funds Transfer Scheme (FTS). This procedure is how Immigration New Zealand makes sure the money you show is really yours to use.
English proficiency: INZ sets no minimum IELTS score for the New Zealand education visa. Your institution does. Typical benchmarks:
| Program Level | IELTS Score | PTE Academic |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | 6.0 overall, no band below 5.5 | 50 |
| Postgraduate | 6.5 overall, no band below 6.0 | 58 |
| English language courses | 5.0 to 5.5 | 42 to 46 |
See IELTS score for New Zealand or studying in New Zealand without IELTS.
New Zealand Student Visa Application Fee and Cost Breakdown
| Cost Item | NZD | INR |
|---|---|---|
| Visa application fee | Fee Paying; Pathway is NZD 750 | Rs.39,990 |
| International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) | NZD 100 | Rs.5,332 |
| Chest X-ray, if required (panel clinic rates vary) | NZD 100 to 200 | Rs.5,332 to Rs.10,664 |
| Medical insurance, mandatory (annual estimate) | NZD 400 to 600 | Rs.21,328 to Rs.31,992 |
Source: Immigration New Zealand: Fee-Paying Student Visa
Worth knowing: The Rs.45,322 application fee and the Rs.10,66,400 living cost funds are two separate amounts. The fee is paid to INZ to process your file. The funds stay in your bank as proof of support. Everything is submitted online.
Financial Requirements: Bank Balance, Proof of Funds, and the FTS Route
Financial evidence is one of the most common problems agents and advisers cite in refused Indian applications, though INZ doesn’t publish a breakdown of refusal reasons.
Minimum living cost funds required for the duration of the study:
| Study Duration | NZD Required | INR Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 year or more (tertiary/English/non-compulsory) | NZD 20,000/year | Rs.10,66,400/year |
| Less than 1 year | NZD 1,667/month | Rs.88,914/month |
Source: Immigration New Zealand: Student Fund Requirements
What INZ accepts as proof of funds:
- Bank statements: account holder's name, last 3 months of transactions
- Fixed-term deposit certificates (held at least 3 months)
- Education loan sanction and disbursal letter from a nationalized or multinational bank (covering security, moratorium period, interest payable, and repayment plan)
- Scholarship award letter
- Provident fund evidence with employment documentation
- Financial undertaking for a student (INZ 1014) from an immediate family member. Download INZ 1014
Bank statement rules: Bank-stamped on official letterhead only. No ATM slips, no net banking PDFs. INZ checks 3 months of history for stability, not just the closing balance. Deposits above NZD 2,000 need income documentation. The statement must be dated after tuition payment.
The Funds Transfer Scheme (FTS): If INZ issues an Approval in Principle, they may ask you to use the FTS rather than standard bank statements. You open an FTS account with ANZ or BNZ, transfer your living cost funds in, and the bank confirms receipt to INZ directly. Once you arrive in New Zealand, a fixed monthly amount is released to your everyday account. If the visa is declined, the money comes back. It is not a guarantee. It is just a more verifiable way of showing INZ that your funds are real.
Source: Immigration New Zealand: Funds Transfer Scheme
My insight: Families often scramble to deposit a large sum right before submitting. INZ checks three months of history. A steady account with a traceable source is far more convincing than a sudden spike.
Documents Required for the New Zealand Student Visa
| Document | India-Specific Note |
|---|---|
| Valid passport | Must be valid at least 3 months beyond your planned departure. Renew your passport at least 4 to 6 weeks before your planned departure. |
| Offer of place | Conditional offers are accepted for the AIP route. |
| Tuition fee receipt | Must be from the institution directly. Bank transfer screenshots are not accepted. |
| Proof of funds | Bank statements, education loan documents, or scholarship letters, dated after your tuition payment |
| IELTS/PTE/TOEFL score | A Medium of Instruction letter from a previous English-medium institution is sometimes accepted |
| Genuine intention statement | This letter is written for INZ, not your university. |
| Chest X-ray certificate | Required for stays over 6 months. The chest X-ray certificate must be from an INZ-approved panel physician and must be less than 3 months old at the time of submission. |
| Police clearance certificate | Required for stays of 24 months or more if you are aged 17 or older. Allow 2 to 4 weeks in India. |
| Medical and travel insurance | Mandatory for the full duration of your visa. Your institution specifies the minimum coverage. |
| Proof of outward travel | You must provide either a return ticket or bank funds to purchase one. This amount is separate from your living cost funds. |
My insight: Write the genuine intention statement last, once your funds, offer, and tuition receipt are final, so every number and date in it matches your other documents.
How to Apply for a New Zealand Student Visa: Step-by-Step
The full process is online. Here is the order:
Step 1: Secure your offer of a place
Get one from a NZQA-approved institution. Conditional offers are accepted for the AIP route.
Step 2: Pay first-year tuition
Get the official receipt from the institution directly. A bank transfer screenshot is not accepted.
Step 3: Get your financial documents together
Bank-stamped statements for the last 3 months. If you have an education loan, you need both the sanction letter and the disbursal letter. Many applicants only submit one. INZ needs both.
Step 4: Health checks
Required for stays over 6 months: chest X-ray from an INZ-approved panel physician, less than 3 months old at submission.
Step 5: Police clearance is required
If your total stay is 24 months or more and you are aged 17 or older, you will need to provide a police clearance. Allow 2 to 4 weeks in India.
Step 6: Write your genuine intention statement for INZ.
This is a separate document from your university SOP. This statement explains to INZ why you have chosen this course, why you want to study in New Zealand, and what you plan to do when you return home.
Step 7: Submit online and pay
Pay the visa fee through the INZ portal: NZD 850 (Rs.45,322) or NZD 750 (Rs.39,990) for the Pathway Student Visa.
Source: Immigration New Zealand: How to Apply Online
Processing Time and New Zealand Student Visa Approval Rate for Indian Students
| Institution Type | 50% Processed Within | 80% Processed Within |
|---|---|---|
| Universities | 2.5 weeks | 5.5 weeks |
| Polytechnics and ITPs | 4 weeks | 8 weeks |
| Private Training Establishments | 3.5 weeks | 7.5 weeks |
| Schools | 4 days | 2 weeks |
INZ recommends 3 months' lead time, but its wait times page names India as a high-volume country where processing takes longer. Four months is the realistic target.
New Zealand student visa approval rate for Indian applicants:
| Year | Indian Applications | Approval Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 8,810 | 58% |
| 2024 | 11,338 | 48% |
| 2025 | 7,235 | 59% |
| 2026 (Jan to Sep 13) | 8,463 | 49.3% |
Chinese applicants had a 94.9% rate in the same period. Education agents have asked INZ to explain the gap; INZ has pointed to fraud concerns and a change in the mix of applications. Financial documents are the part of your file you control.
My insight: The post-study work visa is issued once and cannot be extended. By the time you are in your final semester, you should already be talking to potential employers. Waiting until after you graduate is too late.
Should You Apply Now? Decision Guide for Indian Students
Final-year BTech student targeting July 2027:
You should submit your university application by December 2026, receive your offer of place by February 2027, have your tuition and bank statements ready by March 2027, and submit your New Zealand student visa application by April 2027. Do not leave it to May: processing for Indian applicants runs longer than the published timelines.
If you are a postgraduate student relying on an education loan,
Once INZ gives you Approval in Principle, look into the FTS route. You transfer your loan disbursal into an FTS account with ANZ or BNZ. Make sure your loan sanction letter covers the security, moratorium period, interest payable, and repayment schedule. INZ checks each of those fields.
If you missed the July intake and are considering January 2028:
Ask your institution about a Pathway Offer of Place. The Pathway Student Visa allows you to study up to three consecutive programs on a single visa. The Pathway Student Visa fee is NZD 750 (Rs.39,990).
Also see: New Zealand vs Australia for Indian students
What to Do If Your Visa Is Rejected or Delayed
Rejected for financial evidence issues: Read the INZ refusal letter carefully. It usually names the specific problem. If an unexplained deposit was flagged, gather salary slips, your ITR, or an employer letter. If the balance was simply too low, rebuild it steadily over three months before reapplying.
If your visa is delayed past your course start date, raise a formal escalation with immigration. Visit govt.nz and contact your institution's international office on the same day. Most NZQA-approved institutions will defer your intake without extra charges, as long as you applied on time and the delay is on INZ's end.
If your English score is below the requirement, call your institution before assuming the door is closed. Some polytechnics and pathway providers accept a TOEFL score or an MOI letter from your previous English-medium college. If one IELTS band is below the threshold, the One Skill Retake is an option.
Check New Zealand scholarships for Indian students: a few include English language support.
After Your New Zealand Study Visa: Post-Study Work and PR
After graduating, the Post-Study Work Visa (PSWV) lets you stay and find work:
- Master's or PhD, studied full-time for at least 30 weeks in NZ: up to 3 years
- Bachelor's degree or Level 7 qualification, same conditions: up to 3 years
- Level 5 to 6 qualifications: visa duration matches the study period
From 16 November 2026, a new Short Term Graduate Work Visa gives six months of work rights to graduates who studied full-time in New Zealand for at least 24 weeks but don’t qualify for a PSWV. Holders must work for an employer under an employment agreement or contract for services, can’t extend or repeat it, and can’t sponsor a partner or children. Also from 16 November 2026, Level 7 Graduate Diploma graduates who also hold a bachelor’s degree can qualify for a PSWV of up to 1 year. Residence usually runs through the Skilled Migrant Category, which changed on 24 August 2026, so check INZ’s page for current points and wage rules.
Read about New Zealand PR for Indian citizens and jobs in New Zealand for Indians.
3 Key Takeaways on New Zealand Student Visa
- The visa fee (Rs.45,322 / NZD 850) and living cost funds (Rs.10,66,400 / NZD 20,000 per year) are two separate requirements. Plan for both early.
- Indian offshore applicants had a 49.3% approval rate in 2026. Your bank statement, specifically its 3-month history and documented source, is the factor most within your control.
- Apply 4 months before your intake, not 3. INZ recommends 3, but Indian applicants consistently face longer processing. That extra month is not padding. It is necessary.
Verified by: LeapScholar's New Zealand counseling team. Our advisors have guided Indian students through the New Zealand study visa and post-study work visa process at every stage, from institution selection to the final approval.
Have questions about your New Zealand student visa? Book a free session with a LeapScholar counselor.
Frequently Asked Questions About New Zealand Student Visa
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What is the New Zealand student visa application fee in Indian rupees?
The NZD 850 fee works out to roughly Rs.45,322 at October 2026’s rate of Rs.53.32 per NZD. That pays only for Immigration New Zealand’s processing. The IVL (NZD 100, or Rs.5,332) and the compulsory medical insurance are billed separately.
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Is there an age limit for a New Zealand student visa?
There’s no upper age limit. Students aged 15 or younger can’t work at all. If you’re 16 or 17, you’ll need written consent from a parent before work rights can be added to your visa.
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What is the New Zealand student visa acceptance rate for Indian students in 2026?
Immigration New Zealand approved 49.3% of offshore applications from Indian students between 1 January and 13 September 2026. Chinese applicants had a 94.9% approval rate over the same months. INZ hasn’t published why. Agents and advisers frequently cite financial paperwork, such as sudden deposits and unverified funds, as a problem.
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How much bank balance is required for a New Zealand student visa?
If your course runs a year or longer, you need to show NZD 20,000 (Rs.10,66,400) for each year of living costs. For shorter courses, it’s NZD 1,667 a month (Rs. 88,884). These figures don’t cover tuition or return flights, so budget for those separately.
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What should my bank statement show for the New Zealand student visa application?
Your bank statement should include your name, three months of transaction history, and an official bank stamp on printed letterhead. No ATM slips, no net banking PDFs. INZ is searching for a pattern: has this balance been stable, or did a large sum show up right before you applied? Deposits above NZD 2,000 require income documents that explain the source. The statement date must be after you paid your tuition fee.
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What IELTS band is required for a New Zealand student visa?
INZ does not set a band requirement for the visa itself. Your institution does. Most undergraduate programs require an overall IELTS score of 6.0 (with no band below 5.5), while most postgraduate programs require 6.5 (with no band below 6.0). PTE Academic and TOEFL iBT are also accepted.
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How long does New Zealand student visa processing take?
For universities: 80% clear within 5.5 weeks. For polytechnics and ITPs: 8 weeks. INZ recommends 3 months' lead time but flags India as high-volume. Four months ahead is the safer target.
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What is the form for applying for a student visa in New Zealand?
The form is called the Student Visa Application (INZ 1012). Since 18 August 2025, student visa applications go through INZ’s enhanced Immigration Online system and are processed in its new ADEPT system. You submit the whole application digitally. No paper form, nothing to post. If a family member is acting as your financial guarantor, they complete a separate document called the Financial Undertaking for a Student (INZ 1014), which gets linked to your file.
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Can I work on a New Zealand student visa?
From 3 November 2025: 25 hours a week during the semester, full-time in scheduled breaks, if work rights are on your visa. Students aged 15 or under cannot work.
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