A New Zealand student visa application is not limited to the provision of an offer letter, passport and financial details. Immigration New Zealand may also ask certain questions to understand a student’s plan to study, finances, previous education or any intent to study in New Zealand.
For people thinking to study in New Zealand, the very thought of undergoing a visa interview is petrifying. Students start searching on the internet for New Zealand student visa interview questions and start preparing answers for 20, 30 or even 50 questions.
But, that’s not the case!
There is no list of New Zealand student visa interview questions since Immigration New Zealand (INZ) will make its own assessment on the application and accompanying documents and may ask for more information if required. INZ mentions that it may ask questions about the students’ study plans, reasons for choosing the course or institution, future, previous education or experience and their ability to fund their studies including the source of the funding.
Instead of preparing answers to the New Zealand student visa interview questions, students should be able to explain the given information with reasonable explanations
Specifically, a student should be able to provide a reasonable explanation for:
- The course they have chosen
- The institution they have selected
- Why they want to study in New Zealand
- The source of their funding
- And what they intend to do upon completing the course
This blog will shed light on the common New Zealand student visa interview questions, what students should know, what financial questions to expect, the mistakes to avoid and how to prepare the necessary information for Immigration New Zealand.
It is important to mention here that not all students will face a formal interview.
INZ mentions that it will make its own assessment of a New Zealand student visa applicant having genuine intentions to study and comply with the conditions of their visa. It can rely on the information and any supporting evidence provided by the applicant and may get in touch with the student to ask for more information.
Thus, students should be prepared to answer the questions during their visa interview (if required).
The visa interview (if conducted) should not be considered as an independent assessment. Most interview questions will be based on the information provided by the student in their visa application.
What areas can Immigration New Zealand ask about?
Area Example questions
- Course: Why did you choose the course?
- Education provider: Why did you choose the education provider?
- New Zealand: Why did you choose New Zealand?
- Previous education: What qualifications do you have?
- Employment: What is your employment history?
- Finances: How much will you spend on tuition fees and living expenses?
- Source of funds: Where will the money to fund your studies come from?
- Sponsor: Who will pay for your studies?
- Accommodation: Where will you live?
- Future plans: What are your plans after finishing your studies?
- Immigration history: What other visas have you held?
- Study intentions: Do you have intentions to study?
INZ has specified that study plans, course and provider choice, post-graduation intentions, previous education or training and financial details, including the source of funds, sponsor or guarantor are some of the areas that it will assess to make a determination on the student’s genuine intentions.
What are the common interview questions for a student visa to New Zealand?
Most commonly asked questions by Immigration New Zealand are related to course that student has chosen, education provider, finances, previous education or qualifications and future plans. Students should be prepared to answer questions about their choice of course, education provider and country (New Zealand) in particular:
Why did you choose New Zealand?
The student should be able to clearly explain the reasons for choosing New Zealand to pursue their chosen course of study. It is one of the first few New Zealand student visa interview questions that a student should be ready for.
The student should know the genuine reasons to select New Zealand as their preferred choice for further studies. They should not repeat the ubiquitous information about New Zealand being a beautiful country, etc. It is important for the student to explain what attracted them to study in New Zealand as compared to other countries.
Students can structure their reasons for opting New Zealand over other countries based on the factors that prompted their decision to choose New Zealand over other options available to them including:
- The course content
- Programme structure
- Practical training
- Education provider
- Qualification and duration
- Education environment
- And other relevant factors
The answer for this student visa interview question for New Zealand will depend upon the specific situation of the student and their application.
Why did you choose New Zealand instead of India?
The student should explain why the chosen course in New Zealand is a better option for them compared to the alternatives. This is especially important for students who have completed their previous qualifications in India. They should clearly explain what more benefits they will get from studying in New Zealand over India.
For example,
“I have completed my previous qualification in India which has provided me good foundation in business but the course in New Zealand will help me build on my management skills which will be critical for my future career.”
Every student will have different reasons for choosing New Zealand over other countries.
Why did you choose New Zealand instead of Australia, Canada, or the UK?
Students should explain what prompted their decision to study in New Zealand compared to other popular study destinations for international students. Again the student should be able to provide reasons based on factors that are specific to their application, for example:
- Course content and qualification
- Education provider
- Duration and location of course
- Practical training
- Total cost of the programme
- And other factors relevant to the student
A student should not try to compare New Zealand with other countries in a negative light.
Why did you choose this particular course?
The student should be able to clearly explain how the chosen course aligns with their previous studies, employment or future career. It is one of the most common New Zealand student visa interview questions. Before applying for a student visa to New Zealand, students should be thorough with all the details of their chosen course. They should be prepared to discuss about their course of study in detail. Students should know the following course related information:
- Course-related information: What the student should know?
- Course name: The student should know the official course name
- Qualification: The type of qualification (certificate, diploma, degree, etc.)
- Level: Course level
- Duration: The start and end dates of their course
- Subjects: The subjects or study areas covered by the course
- Provider: Name of the education provider
- Campus: Student should know the course location (city)
- Study mode: Part-time or full-time
- Career relevance: How the course will benefit their future career?
INZ mentions that it will assess why a student has selected a particular course and education provider as part of their visa eligibility.
What will be the subjects you will study?
Students should know the major subjects or study areas covered by their course. It is unlikely that INZ will expect students to provide details on every unit that their course covers. But, a student who has selected a particular course should know about the subjects that will be part of their studies. Students can expect to be asked to give a general overview about their course including the key subjects or study areas.
For example, a student applying for a business program should be able to list out the main areas covered by the program and how the above areas will benefit their future career.
How is your course related to your previous education?
The student should be able to clearly explain how their previous education or qualifications relate to the course that they wish to complete in New Zealand. A simple way to prepare for this student visa interview question is to understand how their previous educational background will benefit their chosen course and future career path. For some students, answering this question may be relatively easy.
For example,
“I have completed my bachelor’s degree in commerce and would like to pursue my postgraduate studies in finance to develop my professional expertise in the area of financial management.”
Why do you want to change your field of study?
Students who wish to change their field of study should clearly explain why they have selected a course unrelated to their previous studies or qualifications. Change of field of study is not a problem, but student should be ready to justify the same.
For example, a student with a bachelor’s degree in engineering who wishes to pursue business studies should explain how their work experience in engineering has influenced their decision to switch to business studies
Questions about the education provider
Why did you choose this university or institution?
The student should have specific reasons for choosing the selected New Zealand education provider. Simply saying ‘It is a good college’ is not very informative. Students should know what made the institution suitable for them. Possible factors include:
- Course structure
- Subjects
- Practical learning
- Campus location
- Facilities
- Industry connections
- Academic environment
- Programme duration
Students should use information they have actually checked rather than memorising promotional statements from an agent or website.
What do you know about your education provider?
The student should know the basic facts about the institution where they will study. At a minimum, they should know:
| Information | Example of what to know |
|---|---|
| Institution | Official name |
| Campus | Exact campus or location |
| City | City where the student will study |
| Programme | Exact course |
| Duration | Course length |
| Start date | Intake |
| Main subjects | Major study areas |
| Tuition | Approximate tuition fee |
| Accommodation | Planned living arrangement |
A student does not need to memorise the institution’s entire history. The aim is simply to show that they have made an informed study choice.
Questions about previous education and employment
What did you study previously?
The student should clearly explain their previous qualification, institution, specialisation and year of completion. INZ may consider previous education or training when assessing genuine study intentions. Students should therefore be comfortable discussing their academic history.
What are you doing currently?
Students should accurately explain their current employment, studies or other circumstances. For working applicants, this may include: Employer, Job title, Duration of employment, Main responsibilities, Industry, and Reason for pursuing further study.
For students who are not working, they should explain their current situation honestly.
Why are you leaving your current job?
A working student should explain how the proposed qualification fits into their longer-term professional development. For example, a student may want to move into management after gaining several years of operational experience. The important thing is to establish a sensible connection between work experience and the selected course.
What have you been doing since your last qualification?
Students with a study or employment gap should be prepared to explain what they were doing during that period. A gap is not automatically a reason for a visa refusal. But the student should be able to explain it honestly. For example: Employment, Business, Family responsibilities, Professional training, Preparation for further study, Personal circumstances.
Documents can be useful where appropriate.
Questions about money and financial documents
Financial questions are another important part of preparation for a New Zealand study visa.
Who is paying for your studies?
The student should clearly explain who is funding tuition fees and living expenses. The answer should match the financial evidence submitted with the application. The sponsor may be:
- The student
- Parents
- Another eligible family member (e.g. a sibling or grandparent)
- A sponsor
- An education loan
- A scholarship
What does your sponsor do?
A student whose education is being funded by a sponsor should know the sponsor’s occupation or business and basic source of income. For example:
“My father runs a manufacturing business.” is much clearer than:
“My father has money.”
Students should understand the financial story behind their application.
What is your father’s or mother’s income?
Students should know the approximate income figures submitted as evidence and should not guess if they are unsure of an exact figure. The answer must be consistent with the documents.
Where did the money for your studies come from?
The student should be able to explain the genuine source of the funds shown in the application. INZ says it may consider the source of funds when assessing genuine intentions. This is why students should understand their financial documents instead of simply submitting them without reviewing them.
What if there is a large recent deposit in the bank account?
The student should be able to explain a large deposit honestly and provide supporting evidence where appropriate. For example, the deposit may relate to:
- Sale of an asset
- Fixed deposit maturity
- Education loan
- Business income
- Transfer from another account
- Legitimate family funding
The exact explanation must match the real transaction. Students should never create a story to explain a transaction.
How much money does a student need for living costs in New Zealand?
For tertiary students studying for one year or more, the current living-cost requirement is NZD 20,000 per year. Students should also remember that the required amount is not necessarily the same as their actual annual spending. Accommodation, food, transport and other expenses will depend on the student’s circumstances and location.
Questions about tuition fees
How much is your tuition fee?
Students should know the tuition fee stated by their education provider and how much has already been paid, if applicable. The student should know:
- Total tuition fee
- Amount paid
- Remaining amount
- Who is paying?
- How future fees will be managed
- Who paid your tuition fee?
The student should give the same funding information that appears in their application and supporting documents. For example:
“My parents paid the first-year tuition fee from their savings.”
If that is the genuine situation, the financial evidence should support it.
How will you pay for the next year?
Students applying for longer programmes should have a realistic plan for funding future tuition and living costs. INZ says applicants do not necessarily have to hold all future funds immediately, but a credible plan for funding later years can support the assessment. This is particularly important for programmes lasting more than one year.
Questions about accommodation
Where will you stay in New Zealand?
The student should have a clear understanding of their accommodation plans. They may be asked:
- Where will you live?
- Have you booked accommodation?
- Will you stay in student accommodation?
- Will you rent privately?
- Will you stay with family?
- How far is it from your institution?
The student does not need to invent a confirmed booking if one has not been made. If accommodation is still being arranged, the student can simply explain the actual situation.
Do you have relatives in New Zealand?
Students should respond honestly if they have relatives or close connections in New Zealand. Follow-up questions include: Who is the person?, Your relationship, Where do they live?, What visa do they have?, Will you stay with them?, Do they have money to support you?
Again honesty rather than trying to impress is more important.
Questions around working while studying
Do you plan to work in New Zealand?
The student should respond honestly and be aware of the work conditions attached to their student visa. A student visa is primarily for study. INZ states genuine study refers to students studying the approved course, making satisfactory academic progress, attending the place of study and complying with their visa conditions (including work conditions where applicable). As such, students should not make employment the main reason for their New Zealand study plans.
How many hours can you work?
Students should check the specific work conditions attached to their own visa as work rights can depend on the visa and study circumstances. Students should not follow an old social media post or what a friend tells them. The conditions printed on the visa and up-to-date INZ information should be treated as the relevant source.
Questions around future plans
What will you do after completing your course?
The student should give an honest explanation of their plans after completing the course. This is an important area as INZ says they may take into account what an applicant does after completing their study. A student’s future plan may include:
- Returning to India
- Continue relevant career
- Further education
- Returning to family business
- Using qualification in home country
There is no need to make up a future plan.
Why will you return to India after your studies?
If a return to India is part of the student’s plan, they should be capable of giving reasons for their career/family/professional/company reasons. For example, a student may have:
- An existing family business
- A professional career which they can return to
- A planned role within a family company
- Career opportunities relating to the new qualification
- Family
The answers should reflect the student’s actual situation.
Questions around previous immigration history
Have you travelled to other countries?
Students should give accurate information regarding their relevant travel history and previous applications. They may be asked:
- Countries visited
- Student visa held previously
- Work visa held previously
- Visitor visa held previously
- Visa refused previously
- Previous stays overseas
Have you ever had a visa refused?
Students should respond honestly about prior visa refusals and be able to provide an explanation when asked. If a student has been refused a visa in the past, they should understand:
| Information | Student should know |
|---|---|
| Country | Where the refusal occurred |
| Visa type | Visitor, Student, Work, etc. |
| Date | When the decision was made |
| Reason | Reason as stated in the refusal |
| Current position | What has changed if anything |
Trying to hide a previous visa refusal can result in further issues.
What questions may be asked around English language ability?
Why did you take IELTS, PTE or another English test?
If the student took an English test as part of their admission or application, they should know the test they took and their result. Student should know:
- Test name
- Test date
- Overall score
- Section scores
What does Immigration New Zealand mean by genuine intentions to study?
Genuine intentions refer to the student genuinely wanting to study the course stated in their application, comply with visa conditions and the immigration requirements applicable to them. INZ say they may consider a number of factors in assessing genuine intentions. Factors INZ may consider:
| Factor | What it can relate to |
|---|---|
| Study plan | Why the student wants to study? |
| Course choice | Why this particular program was selected? |
| Provider choice | Why this institution was selected? |
| Previous education | Academic background |
| Financial evidence | Ability to support study |
| Source of funds | Where the money came from? |
| Sponsor | Who is funding the student? |
| Future plans | What the student plans to do after study? |
| Travel history | Previous international travel |
| Immigration history | Previous visa applications |
| Home circumstances | Relevant circumstances in the student’s home country |
This is why there is not a “magic answer” to a New Zealand student visa interview. Overall application needs to make sense.
How should you answer New Zealand student visa interview questions?
The best approach is to answer clearly, honestly and naturally without trying to memorise a prepared speech.
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Understand, don’t memorise
If you understand why you selected your course, you can explain it even when the question is phrased differently.
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Keep your answer connected to the question
If the officer asks: “Why did you choose this course?” Answer that first. Do not immediately start talking about your cousin in Auckland.
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Use simple English
A student does not need to use difficult vocabulary to explain a genuine study plan. Clear English is more useful than impressive English.
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Know your documents
A student should know the important figures and facts in the application.
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Never guess financial information
If you do not remember an exact figure check the relevant document rather than inventing one.
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Do not hide information
Previous refusals, relatives overseas, employment history and financial information should be presented honestly where required.
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Be prepared for follow-up questions
The first question may be simple. For example: “Why did you choose New Zealand?” The follow-up could be: “Why not Australia?” Then: “Which institutions did you compare?” Then: “Why did you select this particular provider?” Understanding your decision is therefore much more useful than memorising one answer.
Can an immigration consultant prepare students for New Zealand student visa interview?
An immigration professional can help a student understand the immigration process and review the information relevant to their application but no consultant can guarantee a visa outcome. Students should check whether the person providing New Zealand immigration advice is properly licensed or otherwise legally authorised to provide that advice. At West Highlander Immigration, New Zealand immigration content is reviewed by Parwinder Kaur, Licensed Immigration Adviser, New Zealand IAA licence 201002008 as per the West Highlander publishing guidelines.
Students should always make sure they understand who is providing immigration advice and what their role is in the application.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a compulsory interview for a New Zealand student visa?
No. Not every student visa applicant has a formal interview. Immigration New Zealand may ask questions or request further information when it needs to assess the application.
What are the common New Zealand student visa interview questions?
Common areas include the student’s course, institution, reason for choosing New Zealand, previous education, finances, sponsor, source of funds, accommodation and plans after study.
Does Immigration New Zealand ask about financial documents?
It can. INZ may consider financial evidence and the source of funds when assessing an applicant’s genuine intentions and ability to support their studies.
How much money is required for student living costs in New Zealand?
For tertiary study of one year or more, the current requirement is NZD 20,000 per year.
What if I have a study gap?
Explain the gap honestly and clearly. Employment, business, training, family circumstances or other genuine activities may explain a gap, depending on the individual situation.
Should I memorise answers for my New Zealand student visa interview?
No. Students should understand their application and practice explaining it naturally instead of memorising a fixed script.
Can a New Zealand immigration adviser guarantee my student visa?
No. A visa decision is made by Immigration New Zealand based on the applicable requirements and information available in the application.
