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Student Portrait

Student Visa for
New Zealand 

Planning to study English in Queenstown or Christchurch?
If your course is longer than 12 weeks, you will need a New Zealand student visa, unless you are on a Working Holiday Visa that allows you to study for up to 6 months. This page will guide you through the process, step by step.

Official Information

All the information on this page is based on official New Zealand government guidelines. For more detailed and up-to-date information, visit the official immigration website: www.immigration.govt.nz

Plan Your Application in Advance

We recommend starting your student visa application at least 12 weeks before your course begins at LSNZ. This ensures you have enough time to prepare your documents and avoid any unexpected delays.

Why You Should Work With a Licensed Immigration Adviser

Applying for a student visa on your own can be complex and risky. Every year, students who attempt to handle their own visa applications face visa rejections due to minor documentation errors or insufficient evidence.

A visa decline often means:

  • You may not be able to start your course on time.

  • A permanent record of visa decline that may affect your future travel to New Zealand or other countries, depending on the reason.

 

To protect our students and ensure a high success rate, LSNZ strongly recommends that all student visa applications be submitted with the support of a licensed immigration adviser.

Meet Our Partners: Gina & Partners (G&P)

At LSNZ, we proudly work in partnership with Gina & Partners, a trusted New Zealand-based company.

Their team is highly experienced in student visa applications and provides personalised guidance to our students.

G&P Licensed Immigration Advisers

Gina Hughes

Licensed Immigration
Adviser Number: 201002132

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Gina is the representative of G&P and a New Zealand Licensed Immigration Adviser.

She provides expert advice on Student, Work, and Visitor visas. Beyond visa support, Gina leverages her extensive local network to assist students with employment opportunities in New Zealand.

Anna Nguyen

Licensed Immigration Adviser Number: 202200462

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Anna specialises in all visa categories, including Work, Partnership, Residence, Student, and Visitor visas.

Like many of our valued clients, she has experienced the challenges of migrating firsthand.

She came to New Zealand as a migrant in 2016 and has proudly called it home ever since.

Visa Application Fees & Service Charges

The following table outlines the total estimated cost for your visa application. 

This includes the Gina & Partners Professional Service Fee (NZ$1,000) and the Immigration New Zealand (INZ) Application Fee.

Important Notice regarding Fees:

  • Note on Case Complexity: If you have a medical condition, criminal records, previous visa declines from any country, or have been refused entry at a border, additional service fees may apply due to the extra work required for a complex application.
    *Please note that there could be other factors that may affect the service fee. We will provide a proper quotation after we have received detailed information from you.

  • INZ fees are subject to change by the New Zealand Government without notice.

  • All prices are in New Zealand Dollars (NZD).

 

For professional visa support, please contact: visas@ginapartners.com

Essential Documents for Your Application

Before applying, make sure you have all the necessary documents, including:

  • Offer of place from LSNZ

  • Receipt of payment from LSNZ

  • Good health and character

  • Valid passport

  • Evidence of sufficient funds to support yourself during your stay

Visa Application Timeframe

There is no fixed deadline to apply, but planning ahead helps to avoid delays.
We highly recommend you start your visa application process as early as possible.

When You Do Not Need a Student Visa

You do not need a student visa if you:

  • Are a New Zealand or Australian citizen.

  • Are from a visa waiver country and are studying a short course (up to 3 months).

  • Already hold a valid visitor or work visa that permits study for a short course (up to 3 months).

  • Are a work visa holder undertaking any programme of study or training authorised by your employer as part of your employment.

  • Are a working holiday visa holder enrolling in one or more courses of training or study, up to a total of 6 months.

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Important Note for Work Visa Holders: Some work visas have specific conditions that may restrict or prohibit study. It is your responsibility to check your visa conditions or consult with a licensed immigration adviser to ensure you are permitted to study at LSNZ.

Basic Document Checklist for Your Visa

  • Completed visa questionnaire (provided by Gina & Partners)

  • Recent passport-sized photo

  • Copy of your passport (valid for at least 6 months)

  • Cover letter

  • Evidence of strong ties to your home country

  • Bank statement (translated into English) showing available funds of at least NZ$1,667 per month of your intended stay, or proof of prepaid accommodation

  • Proof of funds to cover your return airfare

  • Bank transaction history for the last 3 months

  • LSNZ payment receipt

  • LSNZ Offer of Place

  • INZ1226 form

  • Signed copy of Gina & Partners’ Terms of Engagement

The licensed immigration advisers at G&P will guide you through the process, providing detailed advice on the documents tailored to your situation.

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