International students planning to study in New Zealand for more than 3 months will need a student visa. A student visa allows an international student to study in New Zealand for a set time, at a specified institution, as a full time student.
Student Visas
A student visa gives students permission to travel to New Zealand. It will list the conditions under which they are able to enter New Zealand and will have an expiry date. A single entry visa allows one entry for one journey only – the visa will expire once the student leaves New Zealand. A multiple entry visa allows the student to travel in and out of New Zealand multiple times for the period stated on the visa and remain in New Zealand for the period allowed by their visa.
In order to obtain a student visa, you must first be enrolled in an approved course at a registered education provider that has been accredited to offer that course. Evidence of the education provider’s support must be provided before a visa may be granted. Acceptable evidence may include written confirmation from the education provider in the form of an offer of a place or in a separate letter.
Guardian Visas
Parents or legal guardians must live with the student they are supporting while in New Zealand and cannot leave New Zealand without them, except in emergencies (for a period of up to 4 weeks) and if a variation of conditions has been granted to allow this. Only one guardian visa is allowed per family unit. The status of a guardian visa is linked to that of the student. Where a student visa expires or is revoked so does the guardian visa.
Parents of legal guardians accompanying students to New Zealand must complete their own application for a guardian visa. Guardian visas allow parent/guardians to live with and care for the student. For guardians needing to stay longer than 12 months, their visas can be renewed for further 12 month periods as long as the student continues their studies and only until the student reaches 18 years of age.
Accommodation
Accommodation
While studying in New Zealand, you will have 3 different options for accommodation. Homestays allow you to live with a New Zealand family, if you really want to be immersed in the Kiwi way of life, this is choice for you. University flats are the most popular choice for those studying in New Zealand, usually 3 to 4 students from all over the world will occupy one apartment. Usually, the flats will have private bedrooms and shared bathroom and kitchen facilities. Residence halls are similar to university flats, they are more cost effective and catered to freshmen students. Usually there is a bedroom shared with one other student and a common bathroom/kitchen set up for the entire floor. Residence halls usually offer a full meal plan, university flats usually provide a monthly grocery allowance for food. The cost of personal products (shampoo, toothpaste, etc.) are not provided for.
Free Time
Free Time
Young people in New Zealand enjoy going out for movies and to the cafes with their friends. Bars are popular meeting places in New Zealand, especially on weekends.
New and International students are encouraged to sign up for mentor program, it pairs you with a student from a higher year of study. This program allows you to make a local contact and experience a few activities with someone you know, especially early on. Movies, food, and other get-togethers are usually offered at no charge.
