Indian students with an unconditional offer of place from a New Zealand university, Te Pukenga institute or NZQA-approved private provider apply online for the Fee Paying Student Visa. The fee is NZD 850 including the NZD 100 International Visitor Levy, tuition for the first year is paid before the visa, living funds are NZD 20,000 a year, and a chest X-ray and medical are required because courses run longer than 12 months. Most Indian files are decided in 6 to 8 weeks. Students work 20 hours a week in term, and bachelor's and higher graduates qualify for a Post Study Work Visa of up to 3 years.
The short version with the price card and checklist is on the New Zealand student visa route page. This article is the long version: what makes an offer valid, how funds are evidenced including the Funds Transfer Scheme, what the course costs, the sequence for a February or July intake and the reasons files are refused.
Who qualifies for a New Zealand student visa?
Students holding an offer of place from a provider that is a signatory to the Pastoral Care Code, for a full-time course approved by NZQA, who show tuition paid for the first year (or the first period), living funds of NZD 20,000 a year, an onward ticket or NZD 2,000, and acceptable health and character. Indian students mostly enrol in postgraduate diplomas and master's degrees at the University of Auckland, Auckland University of Technology, Victoria University of Wellington, Canterbury, Otago, Waikato, Massey and Lincoln, with IELTS 6.0 overall for bachelor's and 6.5 for postgraduate entry as the usual benchmark.
Universities and Te Pukenga are automatically eligible; private training establishments must hold NZQA approval and Code signatory status, so check both registers before paying fees. The officer also assesses genuine intentions: the course should fit your study and work history, the cost should be realistic against family income, and a cheaper equivalent in India should not be the obvious choice.
How much does it cost to study in New Zealand?
| Item | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fee Paying Student Visa | NZD 850 | Includes NZD 100 IVL; not refunded |
| Chest X-ray and medical (INZ 1096 and 1007) | INR 5,000 to 8,000 | Panel clinic; valid 3 months at lodgement |
| Indian police clearance certificate | INR 500 | If stay reaches 24 months or requested |
| Insurance | NZD 600 to 800 a year | Compulsory under the Pastoral Care Code |
| Tuition, public university postgraduate | NZD 30,000 to 50,000 a year | Paid before the visa; refundable on refusal |
| Living costs to show | NZD 20,000 a year | Bank statements, loan, FTS or sponsor |
| Post Study Work Visa | NZD 1,670 | After a bachelor's or higher |
The student visa fee doubled from NZD 375 to NZD 750 on 1 October 2024 and the IVL rose to NZD 100, making NZD 850 in total. Vistolane charges the NZD 850 fee at the official rate and shows the medical, insurance and tuition separately on the New Zealand destination page.
How do I show funds, and what is the Funds Transfer Scheme?
Living funds are NZD 20,000 a year for tertiary study (NZD 17,000 for school students), or NZD 1,667 for each month of a course shorter than 36 weeks. Immigration New Zealand accepts bank statements in the student's or a parent's name with a history of several months, an Indian education loan sanction letter from a scheduled bank, a scholarship letter, or a sponsor's financial undertaking on form INZ 1014.
The Funds Transfer Scheme (FTS) is the route most Indian consultants use: the living costs for the first year are deposited with ANZ or BNZ in New Zealand before the visa decision and released to the student monthly after arrival. It removes the question of whether family funds are genuine, which is the most common reason Indian student files are refused. The guide to proving funds for a student visa compares the evidence types, and the student funds checks by destination guide sets New Zealand against Australia, Canada and the UK.
How does the application run?
- Secure the unconditional offer of place from a signatory provider, pay the first year or first period of tuition and keep the receipt.
- Complete the chest X-ray and medical at a panel clinic in India; the clinic submits eMedical and the result is valid 3 months at lodgement.
- Prepare the funds and intentions evidence: NZD 20,000 a year via statements, loan, FTS or sponsor form; study plan; academic and work history; IELTS or PTE.
- Apply online through RealMe and pay NZD 850; upload the passport, offer, receipts, funds, medical reference, test result and certificates. Biometrics at VFS Global if requested.
- Receive the eVisa, normally issued for the paid period, arrive up to 2 weeks before orientation, enrol, arrange insurance and apply for an IRD number to work.
What is the timeline for a February or July intake?
| Stage | Typical time | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Offer and tuition payment | 3 to 6 months before | Deposit or full first year |
| Medical and documents | 2 to 4 weeks | Panel clinic, loan sanction, FTS deposit |
| Decision | 6 to 8 weeks | Longest in June and December |
| Travel | Up to 2 weeks before orientation | eVisa must be issued first |
| Renewal | Yearly if issued per year | Onshore, on proof of fees and progress |
For a February start lodge by early November; for July lodge by early April. The provider's international office tracks the visa and can issue a deferral letter if the decision runs late. The processing times page tracks current turnaround.
What happens after arrival?
Students work 20 hours a week during term (25 hours for visas granted from 3 November 2025) and full time during scheduled breaks; master's by research and doctoral students have no cap. Partners of students in level 9 and 10 programmes, or in postgraduate courses leading to Green List roles, can apply for a Partner of a Student Work Visa, and their children attend school as domestic students. Changing provider or course needs a variation of conditions or a new visa.
Graduates of a bachelor's degree or higher apply within 3 months of the visa expiry (6 months for doctoral graduates) for the Post Study Work Visa of up to 3 years, open to any employer; non-degree graduates must have studied a qualification linked to a Green List role. Time in skilled work on that visa earns points toward residence, described in the New Zealand Skilled Migrant residence guide. The post-study work rights comparison sets New Zealand's 3 years against other destinations.
Why are New Zealand student visas refused, and what fixes each reason?
Not a bona fide student. Course unrelated to previous study or work, or a cheaper equivalent exists in India. Write a specific study plan with career outcomes and choose a programme that builds on your record.
Funds not credible. Large deposits days before applying or unexplained sources. Build the balance over months, use an education loan or the FTS, and explain every large credit.
Health requirements not met. Medical older than 3 months or no X-ray. Book the panel clinic 4 to 6 weeks before lodging.
Documents inconsistent. Marksheets, CV and statement of purpose with conflicting dates. Align every document and explain gaps in a cover letter.
Provider not eligible. Offer from a non-signatory or non-approved provider. Check the NZQA register and the Code signatory list before paying fees.
How Vistolane files it
Vistolane checks the provider's status, prepares the funds and intentions evidence, books the medical and lodges the application, charging the NZD 850 fee at the official rate. Start with the free eligibility check or the New Zealand student visa route page. Students comparing destinations can read the Australia student visa guide and the Canada study permit guide.
