The New Zealand student visa is one of the most affordable and most strategically useful in the developed world. In 2026 the fee-paying student visa costs NZD $850, the living-cost proof is NZD $20,000 per year, and a Level 7+ New Zealand degree plugs directly into the Skilled Migrant and Green List residence systems. That combination of low entry cost and a clear path to residency makes New Zealand a standout choice for students who want to stay after they graduate. This guide covers the fee, the funds you must prove, the documents, the work rights and the timeline.

New Zealand is genuinely small: eight universities, around 5.2 million people, and a tight housing market in Auckland, but the system is engineered to fast-track skilled graduates toward residence.

Key takeaways

Visa fee and costs for 2026

The fee-paying student visa is NZD $850, and the Pathway Student Visa (for study plans with an approved pathway provider) is NZD $750. On top of the visa you must show evidence of funds for: first-year tuition, living costs of NZD $20,000 per year, return travel and health insurance (around NZD $500–855 a year). University tuition for international undergraduates runs roughly NZD 26,000–47,000 a year, while polytechnics start around NZD 9,000, and international PhD students pay domestic-rate fees (about NZD 7,500–9,000).

Documents you need

Start with the Offer of Place from an NZQA-approved provider, since everything flows from it. Then prepare proof of funds with a clear, traceable history, valid passport, a genuine-intention statement (reason for study and return plans), an English test if required (IELTS 6.0–6.5 is the typical university bar; 5.5–6.0 for polytechnics), medical and travel insurance, and, where needed, an x-ray or medical certificate. Biometrics are part of the application for most nationalities.

Work rights while studying

Tertiary students on a student visa can work up to 25 hours a week during term and full-time during scheduled holidays. Students in master's-by-research and PhD programs can work unlimited hours, and secondary students in Years 12–13 can work up to 20 hours a week with permission. The New Zealand minimum wage sits around NZD $23.50–23.95 an hour, so part-time work makes a real dent in living costs.

After graduation: staying in New Zealand

After study you can apply for the Post Study Work Visa (NZD $1,670): Level 7 degrees of 30+ weeks earn 1–3 years, and master's and PhD graduates get three years. A new 6-month Short-term Graduate Work Visa also launches on 16 November 2026. The migration payoff is the real story: an NZ bachelor's earns 5 of the 6 points in the Skilled Migrant system, an NZ master's can earn 5–6 outright, and NZ qualifications get a +1 point bonus over overseas ones from August 2026. Green List occupations (IT, engineering, health, construction) can go straight to residence. See our immigrate to New Zealand guide for the full points breakdown.

Timeline and tips

Allow about 8 weeks for processing and apply around four months before your course starts, targeting the February or July intakes. Apply to an NZQA-approved provider early, because the Offer of Place gates everything else. For a fuller comparison of costs, universities and cities, see our study in New Zealand guide, and for country-by-country visa requirements, the visa guidance page.