Understanding International Student Status In New Zealand

If you're wondering whether you're an international student in New Zealand, you'll need to consider a few factors. Firstly, international students in New Zealand are typically those who are not citizens or permanent residents of the country and require a student visa to study there. The criteria for obtaining a student visa vary, but generally, you'll need an offer of a place from a New Zealand education provider and proof of arranged accommodation. International students may also have work restrictions, such as a limit of 20 hours of work per week, and they are not allowed to be self-employed.

Student visa requirements

To be considered an international student in New Zealand, you must be enrolled in a course of education that is longer than three months and not funded by the Government. International students must apply for a student visa to study in New Zealand.

To qualify for a New Zealand Student Visa, you must fulfil the following requirements:

• Be of good character and in good health.
• Have sufficient funds to pay your tuition fees and living expenses.
• Have full travel and medical insurance for your stay.
• Prove that you meet the academic requirements.
• Intend to meet the conditions of your visa.

You must also provide the following documents to apply for a New Zealand Student Visa:

• Your passport (original or certified copy).
• One or two photos of your head and shoulders, depending on whether you apply online or on paper.
• Evidence of good health, including a medical examination and an X-ray if you stay longer than one year in New Zealand.
• Proof of funding, such as evidence of sufficient funds to live in New Zealand.
• Evidence of meeting academic requirements, such as previous academic performance.
• An offer from a university or education provider in New Zealand.
• Evidence of proficiency in the English language, such as an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) certificate with a minimum score of 5.0-5.5.

You can apply for your student visa online using the New Zealand Immigration website or on paper. You can apply up to 120 days before your intended start date. Once your application is submitted, Immigration New Zealand will notify you via email when your eVisa is issued.

Work rights

As an international student in New Zealand, you may be able to work while studying. This depends on the type of visa you hold and the conditions of that visa.

Student Visa

If you are studying in New Zealand on a student visa, you may be able to work up to 20 hours per week during your studies. You can work full-time during the Christmas and New Year holiday period. Check your visa for the exact conditions of your work rights. Working when your visa does not allow you to, or failing to abide by the conditions of your work rights, is a breach of your visa conditions. This can affect your ability to stay in New Zealand or the decision on your next visa application.

Post-Study Work Visa

After you have completed your studies, you may be eligible for a Post-Study Work Visa. The duration of this visa mirrors the total amount of time spent studying in New Zealand, up to a maximum of three years. If you have completed a PhD thesis, your visa could be for up to three years. A Post-Study Work Visa granted on the basis of a bachelor's degree or a qualification at levels 8 to 10 in New Zealand allows you to work for any employer, in any occupation, and in any location in the country. A Post-Study Work Visa granted on the basis of a non-degree level 7 or below qualification only allows you to take a job related to what you studied. According to current immigration policies, you can only apply for a Post-Study Work Visa once.

International students in New Zealand are classed as residents for tax purposes if they have a consistent place to stay in the country or have been in the country for at least 183 days in any 12-month period. In this case, they will be subject to income tax of 10.5% on taxable income up to NZD 14,000. Any additional income will be taxed at higher rates that increase alongside earnings. From April 2025, the 10.5% rate will apply to earnings up to NZD 15,600. Anything above this, up to a total of NZD 53,500, will be taxed at 17.5%.

International students are not allowed to be self-employed and must work for an employer under an employment agreement. Internships, work placements, and volunteering are allowed, provided that you receive no reward of monetary value.

English language requirements

To study in New Zealand, international students must meet specific English language requirements. These requirements vary depending on the type of visa and the education provider. Here is an overview of the English language requirements for international students in New Zealand:

English Language Tests

International students applying for a student visa in New Zealand may be required to provide proof of their English language proficiency. One way to do this is by taking an accepted English language test, such as the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). The test result should be no more than two years old, and the minimum required score is an overall band score of 5.0. This certificate will need to be provided with your visa application.

Studying English

If you are studying English full-time at a university or an education provider assessed by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) as a Category 1 provider, you may be allowed to work up to 20 hours each week. This provision also applies to students in years 12 and 13 at secondary school during the school year, and they can work full-time during the Christmas and New Year holiday period.

Visa Requirements

To obtain a student visa in New Zealand, most applicants need to provide an offer of a place from a New Zealand education provider. This offer is crucial in the student visa application process and can impact whether you are allowed to work during your studies. The visa may be in the form of an eVisa or a visa sticker in your passport, which will indicate if you are permitted to work.

It is important to note that international students must work for an employer and cannot be self-employed. Additionally, the courses offered to international students must be approved by the NZQA, and the education providers must be registered with and accredited by the NZQA.

School-Age Students

For school-age international students, accredited state and integrated primary and secondary schools have enrolment priorities. They must first offer places to New Zealand domestic and MFAT-funded NZ scholarship students. Only then can they offer spots to full-fee-paying international students. Private primary and secondary schools are exempt from this rule and can offer places equally to domestic and international students.

School accreditation

To answer your question about whether you are an international student in New Zealand, it depends on your citizenship status. If you are a citizen of a country other than New Zealand, you are an international student.

Now, for school accreditation in New Zealand, here is some detailed information:

Any international student wishing to study in New Zealand for more than three months is required to obtain a student visa. To be eligible for a student visa, applicants must receive an offer of a place from a New Zealand education provider. This provider must be accredited by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) to offer courses to international students. The NZQA is responsible for approving and accrediting programmes, and institutions must meet specific criteria to maintain their accreditation status.

Accredited state and integrated primary and secondary schools must prioritise placing New Zealand domestic students and MFAT-funded NZ scholarship students. If they have remaining capacity, they can then offer places to full-fee-paying international students. Private primary and secondary schools, on the other hand, can offer places equally to both domestic and international students.

All schools, including universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and wānanga, must be accredited to offer courses to international students for more than three months. Additionally, these schools must have signed the Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students.

The NZQA has established rules and guidelines for programme approval, recognition, and accreditation. For instance, institutions must provide evidence of internal quality assurance approval by a standard-setting body. They must also ensure that international students demonstrate the necessary English language proficiency for enrolment in a programme at level 3 or above.

Furthermore, institutions that intend to use a subcontractor to deliver an approved programme must notify the NZQA in advance and provide relevant information about the arrangement.

International students can refer to the Immigration New Zealand website for detailed information about student visas, including specific criteria and conditions.

University rankings

University of Auckland

The University of Auckland is New Zealand's largest university and is ranked among the top 100 universities worldwide. It achieves high scores for its percentage of international faculty members and has a high ratio of international students. The University of Auckland ranks highly within the QS World University Rankings by Subject for 15 subjects, including archaeology, education, civil and structural engineering, geography, and sports-related subjects.

Victoria University of Wellington

Victoria University of Wellington also scores well for its percentage of international faculty members and is ranked among the world's top universities for library and information management and development studies. The university offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses and has three campuses across Wellington: Kelburn, Pipitea, and Te Aro.

University of Waikato

The University of Waikato has three vibrant campuses, with the Hamilton campus being the largest and most prominent. The university has internationally recognized research capabilities and facilities across numerous disciplines and offers a broad range of subjects.

Other Notable Mentions

• Lincoln University: Originally part of the University of Canterbury, Lincoln University became independent in 1990. It has a high percentage of international students and is known for its focus on sustainable agricultural management and agricultural productivity.
• Massey University: The only university in New Zealand offering programs in aviation, dispute resolution, veterinary medicine, and nanoscience.
• University of Otago: This university is known for its research-led atmosphere and excellence in health sciences, with undergraduate and doctoral programs offered in this field.

It is worth noting that university rankings are not static and can change over time. While rankings can provide valuable insights, they should not be the sole factor in deciding which university to attend. Other considerations may include the availability of specific programs, campus culture, and personal preferences.

Frequently asked questions