Study in New Zealand.

The New Zealand student visa fee for 2026 is NZD $375 for online applications and NZD $430 for paper applications. Additionally, you must pay the Immigration Levy of NZD $28.90. In Indian Rupees, the total cost is approximately ₹21,000-24,000. This fee is non-refundable even if your visa is rejected.

As of 2026, New Zealand student visa processing has improved significantly. University applications take 2.5 weeks on average (80% completed within 5.5 weeks). Polytechnic/PTE applications take 4-5 weeks on average. The overall processing time improved from 24 days in 2024 to just 10-12 days in 2025-2026. Apply at least 3-4 months before your intake for safety.

The approval rate for Indian students has dramatically improved in 2026. From January-June 2025, the approval rate was 75.4% (up from 48% in 2024). University applications have approximately 95% approval rate, while Polytechnic/PTE applications have around 25-30% approval rate. Choosing a university significantly increases your visa success chances.

Required documents for New Zealand student visa include: Valid passport (3+ months validity after departure), Offer letter from approved institution, Proof of funds (NZD $20,000/year for living + tuition fees), Bank statements (minimum 3 months old), Health insurance, Medical certificate (for stays over 6 months), Police Clearance Certificate from RPO (for Indian students from December 2025), and Statement of Purpose. All documents must be in English or have certified translations.

Yes, you can get New Zealand student visa without IELTS through English waiver. You qualify if you have: 75% in Class 12 (CBSE/ICSE) with 60% in English subject, OR a previous degree taught in English from approved countries, OR you can take a Pathway Program (12-week English course costing approximately NZD $6,000). Universities also accept PTE, TOEFL, and Duolingo as alternatives.

New Zealand mandates a Single Sponsor Policy for student visas. Only ONE person can sponsor your visa application. Eligible sponsors include: Parents, Grandparents, Real Siblings, Spouse/In-laws, or a Relative who is a New Zealand Citizen. You cannot change your sponsor for subsequent visa applications. If you were not sponsored for your first visa, you cannot have a sponsor for future applications.

For New Zealand student visa, you must show: NZD $20,000 per year for living expenses (approximately ₹10.4 Lakhs), plus full first-year tuition fees, plus NZD $1,500+ for outward travel. Bank statements must be at least 3 months old. Fixed Deposits must be 6 months old, otherwise you need 6 months of other account history. Immigration NZ rejects applications showing domestic deposits of NZD $3,000+ made within 4 weeks before application.

Yes! New Zealand is very gap-friendly. There is no official limit on education gap - even 15-20+ years gap is accepted. However, you must have valid work experience during the gap period. A strong Statement of Purpose explaining the gap is essential. Work experience letters, salary slips, and tax returns help prove you were productively employed during the gap.

From December 1, 2025, Immigration New Zealand ONLY accepts Police Clearance Certificates (PCC) issued by Regional Passport Offices (RPO) under the Ministry of External Affairs. Local police station PCCs, Deputy Commissioner PCCs, and Superintendent of Police PCCs are NO LONGER accepted. The PCC must be less than 6 months old when submitting your application. If in a regional language, you need a certified English translation.

Top rejection reasons in 2026: Insufficient or unclear financial evidence (35%), Doubts about genuine intentions to study (30%), Incomplete documentation (20%), Institution type - PTEs have lower approval (10%), Background/character issues (5%). University applications have 95% approval rate vs only 25% for Polytechnics/PTEs. Strong SOP, clear career goals, and solid financial proof significantly improve approval chances.