Getting a place on your Master’s program in New Zealand is a key milestone, the next stage is to apply for your New Zealand student visa. Students can spend months short-listing universities, comparing the courses on offer, and working out their finances. But just because you’ve got your offer letter in the post, doesn’t mean you can leave your visa application until the last minute.
Immigration New Zealand advise that students seeking a visa from outside New Zealand should apply at least three months prior to their intended travel date. It’s advice that’s needed now more than ever for students applying from India, as Immigration New Zealand deal with a high volume of applications from across South Asia.
So when should you apply? What documents should be on hand? And what happens if your visa hasn’t arrived ahead of your intake date? Here we have provided what to keep in mind before you plan your master’s intake.
How early should I apply for a student visa to New Zealand?
As advised by Immigration New Zealand you should apply for a visa to New Zealand at least three months before your intended travel date. You can submit your application earlier if you have all the required documents ready.
To give an example, let’s say your master’s course runs from February, and you intend to arrive in New Zealand at the end of January. Try to apply for your visa from around October, not December or January.
Three months is a general recommendation, rather than a guarantee – your application could be approved sooner, or take longer if Immigration New Zealand need to ask for further information.
Students applying from India should be particularly aware of the advice, as Immigration New Zealand advise against late applications for students from India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Pakistan.
Why is it better to apply for a student visa earlier?
Applying early gives you more time to address any queries from Immigration New Zealand before your master’s intake begins.
There are a few practical reasons why you shouldn’t leave your student visa application until the last minute.
- Your documents may require checking: INZ review your Offer of Place, financial information, study plans, and other documents for approval.
- You may be asked to provide further information: If the visa officer asks to see additional documents, you’ll have more time to prepare them.
- There can be busy periods for visa processing: Immigration New Zealand deal with a high volume of student visa applications between November and March.
- Your intake date is set: If your visa approval is delayed, you may have to talk to your education provider about arriving late or deferring your admission to a later intake.
How long does it take to get a student visa for New Zealand?
The length of time it takes to process a student visa application for New Zealand varies, depending on the type of education provider, and the number of applications Immigration New Zealand is processing.
INZ report average processing times for universities, institutes of technology and polytechnics, and private training establishments on their website. They give an average processing time, and the timeframe in which 80% of applications were completed.
The information can fluctuate, so it’s best to consult the official website nearer the time of your application, rather than using older data.
| What to check | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Average processing time | 50% of applications were processed within this timeframe |
| 80% processing timeframe | 80% of applications were processed within this timeframe |
| Your education provider | Processing times can vary between provider types |
| Date of the figures | It’s best to check the website close to the time of your application |
You can check the latest processing times on the official Immigration New Zealand student visa processing page.
When should I start preparing for my master’s intake?
You should start preparing for your intake several months ahead of time, even if you’re not ready to submit your visa application yet.
The length of time you need to prepare will be dependent on how quickly you get your offer letter, sort out your finances, and gather the necessary documents.
| Time before travel | What to focus on |
|---|---|
| 6 months | Choose a course, check entry requirements and apply for admission |
| 4 months | Follow up on your offer and compile financial and academic documents |
| 3 months | Submit your student visa application with supporting evidence |
| After submitting your application | Check your Immigration Online account and respond to any requests from Immigration New Zealand |
This is a general example of a planning schedule, not an official visa application timeline. You can submit your application earlier if you have all the required documents.
The most important thing is not to leave the entire process until your master’s intake is about to begin.
What documents to prepare before applying
You should prepare your documents before you submit your student visa application to New Zealand. Leaving information out can delay the process, so spend some time reviewing the list of documents that apply to your situation.
Here are a few of the main documents you may need.
- Offer of Place: Your Offer of Place from a suitable New Zealand education provider. An unconditional Offer of Place is required before your visa can be approved.
- Passport and photograph: Make sure your personal details are correct, and that your passport is valid for your intended travel.
- Academic records: Keep your certificate, transcripts and other relevant academic documents to hand.
- Financial evidence: Prove that you meet the relevant requirements for tuition fees and living costs.
- Study plans: Be ready to explain why you chose your master’s course, and how it fits in with your education and career plans.
- Health and character documents: Complete medical or police documents, if they’re required for your application.
- English translations: Arrange English translations of any non-English documents, following Immigration New Zealand guidelines.
Your full list of required documents will depend on your personal circumstances. Refer to the official requirements for your visa, rather than a generic checklist.
What to do when you’ve applied for a student visa?
After you’ve applied for your student visa, make sure to keep checking your Immigration Online account and the email address you’ve provided.
Immigration New Zealand will contact you if they need any more information. Follow these steps:
- Check your application status: Log in to your account and read any updates about your application.
- Reply to any requests for information: If Immigration New Zealand requests more documents, follow the instructions in their letter.
- Keep in contact with your education provider: If your course start date is approaching, find out their policies for late arrivals, and the possibility of deferring your admission.
- Wait for your visa approval before finalising travel plans: Don’t assume that your visa will be approved just because you’ve submitted an application.
You can find more information on the official Immigration New Zealand application-status page.
What happens if my visa gets delayed before my master’s intake?
If your visa has not been approved near to your course start date, talk to your education provider and ask them if you can come late, or defer your admission to the next intake.
You should also keep an eye on your application and respond to any requests by Immigration New Zealand. A visa delay does not equal a visa decline, but you should not make travel plans on the basis of your application being approved.
Can a licensed immigration adviser assist with my student’s visa?
A licensed immigration adviser can assist you and advise you on the requirements of a student visa to New Zealand. This would be helpful if you have any questions regarding your academic, financial, study plans or previous visa decisions. If you choose to use an immigration adviser, ensure they are authorised to give immigration advice in New Zealand.
At West Highlander Immigration, Parwinder Kaur is a Licensed Immigration Adviser, holding New Zealand Immigration Advisers Authority licence number 201002008. She is able to provide immigration advice within the scope of her licence.
An immigration adviser will not be able to guarantee approval of a visa or that your application will be prioritised. The final decision is made by Immigration New Zealand.
What are the common mistakes when applying for your New Zealand student visa?
There are some common mistakes that cause unnecessary stress and complications during the visa application process.
- Late applications: Ensure you apply at least three months before your intended travel date as advised by Immigration New Zealand.
- Leaving documents to the last minute: Ensure you collate all your academic and financial documents well ahead of submitting your application.
- Unclear information: Double-check that everything you submit is clear and correct.
- Ignores requests from Immigration New Zealand: Make sure that you read any emails or online requests from Immigration New Zealand and reply within the specified time.
- Assuming processing times: Check the latest processing times on the Immigration New Zealand website rather than relying on someone else’s experience.
- Making travel arrangements too early: Leave it as late as possible to make non-refundable travel arrangements.
A little preparation goes a long way!
Frequently asked questions
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Is 3 months sufficient for a student visa to New Zealand?
It is recommended that you apply for your visa at least 3 months before your intended travel date. Please note that 3 months is a guideline and does not mean your application will be approved within 3 months.
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Can I apply for my student visa 6 months prior to my intake?
You can start preparing your documents 6 months in advance and apply earlier than the 3 months as advised, providing you have the relevant documents ready. Please check the current Immigration New Zealand instructions on how early applications will be treated.
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Do I apply 3 months prior to my course, or my travel?
Immigration New Zealand advice is to apply 3 months prior to your intended travel date. You will also need to factor in the time between your course start date and travel date so that you allow enough time for your visa to be approved.
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What happens if my visa has not come through before classes begin?
Make contact with your education provider and enquire as to whether you are able to come late, or defer your admission to the next intake. You should also keep an eye on your visa application and ensure you follow any requests from Immigration New Zealand.
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Can a licensed immigration adviser guarantee approval of my visa?
No. Immigration advisers can only provide guidance and help with your visa application. Approval of a visa is always at the discretion of Immigration New Zealand.
