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New Zealand is a globally respected study destination offering high-quality education, practical learning, a welcoming multicultural environment, and an exceptional quality of life. Its education system brings together academic knowledge and real-world experience, helping students build practical skills, confidence, and knowledge for their future careers. With eight internationally recognized universities, along with vocational, applied, and English-language study options, New Zealand offers diverse pathways for students at different stages of their academic journey. Beyond the classroom, students can experience a unique blend of cultural heritage, breathtaking natural landscapes, hands-on learning, and an internationally connected education environment. Study in New Zealand — where quality education meets practical experience, cultural diversity, and an inspiring lifestyle.

NEW ZEALAND QUICK FACTS

Country

New Zealand

Capital

Wellington

Largest City

Auckland

Currency

New Zealand Dollar (NZD)

Languages

English, Māori, and New Zealand Sign Language are the official languages of New Zealand.

Education System

Universities, vocational and applied education, and English-language study

Universities

8 internationally recognised universities

Study Environment

Practical, research-focused, and student-centred

Key Study Areas

Business, IT, Engineering, Health, Sciences, Design, Hospitality, Construction, and more

Work While Studying

From the end of 2025, the work-hour limit has been updated — now you can work up to 25 hours per week while studying.

Post-Study Pathway

Eligible graduates may qualify for a Post Study Work Visa of up to 3 years, depending on qualification and circumstances

NATURAL BEAUTY & LIFESTYLE

New Zealand is internationally recognised for dramatic landscapes, from mountains and glaciers to beaches, lakes, forests, and fjords. Students can combine their studies with a lifestyle shaped by outdoor adventure, cultural experiences, and diverse natural surroundings.
Iconic Landscapes
Explore mountains, lakes, beaches, forests, glaciers, and spectacular coastal scenery.
Hiking, skiing, cycling, water sports, adventure activities, and nature exploration are part of everyday life for many residents.

Experience Māori culture, traditions, language, and heritage as an important part of New Zealand’s national identity.

New Zealand offers an inclusive environment where international students can develop confidence, independence, and cross-cultural understanding.

STUDY OPPORTUNITIES

New Zealand offers multiple education pathways, allowing students to choose programmes according to their academic background and career goals.

Universities

Eight universities offer undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral study across a broad range of disciplines.

Vocational & Applied Education

Career-focused programmes provide practical learning and hands-on experience designed around workplace skills.

English Language Study

English-language programmes can support further academic study and personal or professional development.

POPULAR STUDY AREAS

Business & Management

Management, finance, marketing, entrepreneurship, and administration.

Software, data, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and digital technologies.
Technical knowledge supported by practical and applied learning.
Healthcare, health sciences, medicine, and related disciplines.

Design, creative arts, media, film, and related creative fields.

Tourism, hospitality, events, and related service industries.

Practical knowledge relevant to construction and the built environment.

Applied and pure sciences, research, innovation, and specialised postgraduate study.

CAREER PATH

Choose Your Study Area

Select a programme aligned with your academic background, interests, and career goals.

Earn a Recognised Qualification

Build academic knowledge through a recognised New Zealand qualification.

Develop Practical Skills and Employability

Strengthen communication, problem-solving, technical, and workplace skills.

Gain Industry Experience

Use eligible work opportunities and practical learning to develop relevant experience.

Explore Post-Study Work Options

Eligible graduates may be able to apply for a Post Study Work Visa, depending on current requirements.

Build Your Professional Career

Use your qualification and experience to pursue suitable career opportunities.

CAREER NOTE

Employment and post-study outcomes are not guaranteed. They depend on qualification, skills, employer requirements, immigration rules, and individual circumstances.

SCHOLARSHIPS & FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

Scholarship availability, eligibility, award value, and deadlines vary by institution, programme, and applicant profile. Students should always verify the latest conditions before applying.

Merit-Based Scholarships

Awards may be available to students with strong academic performance.

University Scholarships

Individual universities and education providers may offer scholarships for eligible international applicants.

Programme-Specific Funding

Some awards are linked to particular study levels, fields, or programmes.

Government-Funded Opportunities

Certain government-funded scholarship programmes, such as Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships, are available to eligible applicants from selected countries and under specific conditions.

APPLICATION PROCESS

1. Choose Your Programme
2. Check Eligibility
3. Prepare Documents
4. Submit Application
5. Receive Admission Outcome
Current 2026 guidance • Work while studying • Post-study options

STUDENT VISA & STUDY RIGHTS

  • Fee Paying Student Visa — core requirements
For a typical international student, the Fee Paying Student Visa requires an offer of place from an approved education provider, evidence of tuition funding or scholarship, sufficient living funds or an acceptable sponsor, acceptable medical/travel insurance, good health and character, genuine study intentions, and evidence of onward travel or funds to leave New Zealand. For tertiary, English-language or other non-compulsory study, students generally need evidence of NZD $20,000 per year, or NZD $1,667 per month if the study is shorter than 1 year. The online visa application cost starts from NZD $850.

WORK WHILE STUDYING

UP TO 25 HOURS

From the end of 2025, the work-hour limit has been updated — now you can work up to 25 hours per week while studying.

FULL-TIME HOLIDAY WORK

Eligible students may work full-time during scheduled breaks when their visa conditions allow it. Course length, credits and holiday structure can affect eligibility.

PHD & QUALIFYING RESEARCH MASTERS

Students enrolled in a doctoral degree (PhD) or qualifying Research Master’s programme at a New Zealand tertiary institution can have unlimited work rights, subject to applicable visa conditions and continued full-time study.

CHECK YOUR EVISA

Work rights are conditions of the individual visa. Students should always check their eVisa or visa letter before starting employment.

Move Short-Term Graduate Work Visa out of “Work While Studying”

  • SHORT-TERM GRADUATE WORK VISA
From 16 November 2026, eligible graduates of NZQCF Level 5–7 qualifications that do not qualify for a Post-Study Work Visa can apply for a 6-month open work visa, subject to current eligibility requirements.
  • GRADUATE DIPLOMA EXPANSION
From 16 November 2026, eligible NZQCF Level 7 graduate diploma graduates who also hold a bachelor’s degree can qualify for a Post-Study Work Visa for the time spent studying the graduate diploma in New Zealand, up to 1 year.
  • POST STUDY WORK VISA
  • Eligible graduates may qualify for a Post Study Work Visa for up to 3 years, depending on the qualification and study circumstances.
  • Degree-level 7 or higher qualifications that meet the current study requirements can provide broader work rights; non-degree qualifications can have occupation-related conditions.
Partner work options • Children • Important eligibility conditions

BRINGING YOUR FAMILY

PARTNER OF A STUDENT WORK VISA

  • Who can support a partner for a work visa?

A student may be able to support a Partner of a Student Work Visa if they are studying an eligible Level 7 or 8 qualification specified under the current rules, or a Level 9 or 10 qualification on the NZQCF. Eligibility is qualification-specific, so not every postgraduate programme automatically qualifies.

  • The partner must meet partnership and other visa requirements, including evidence of living together in a genuine and stable relationship.
  • The Partner of a Student Work Visa normally lasts for the same duration as the student’s visa.
  • From 20 April 2026, eligible open work visas including the Partner of a Student Work Visa can carry ‘Any Work’ conditions, allowing work for an employer, sole trading, or owning and operating a business, subject to the visa conditions.
  • A Partner of a Student Visitor Visa may be available where work-visa eligibility is not met; a visitor visa does not give New Zealand work rights.

CHILDREN

CHILDREN OF STUDENTS

Eligibility for a student visa for school-aged children depends on the student’s qualification and circumstances. PhD students and certain government-scholarship students have specific family support options.

SCHOOL STATUS

Some eligible children can be treated as domestic students for school purposes under New Zealand’s rules. This is not automatic for every student family.

NZD $58,240 Income Figure — Important Clarification

The NZD $58,240 annual income figure applies to certain family-support situations, particularly specified work-visa categories. It is not a universal income requirement for children of all international students and should not be presented as one.

FAMILY PLANNING CHECKLIST

  • Confirm the student’s exact qualification and NZQCF level before promising partner work rights.
  • Check whether the partner should apply for a Work Visa or Visitor Visa.
  • Check the child’s age, school status and the primary visa holder’s family-support eligibility.
  • Prepare relationship, financial, identity, health and character evidence as required.
2026 skilled residence pathways • Permanent residence • Citizenship

STUDENT VISA FROM STUDY TO RESIDENCE VISA & STUDY RIGHTS

  • Important distinction
A Resident Visa and a Permanent Resident Visa are not the same. A person can live in New Zealand permanently on a Resident Visa, but a Permanent Resident Visa removes the travel conditions and allows indefinite travel in and out of New Zealand.

MAIN SKILLED RESIDENCE PATHWAYS

GREEN LIST

Tier 1 roles can lead to Straight to Residence when the role, qualification/registration, wage and other requirements are met. Tier 2 roles can lead to Work to Residence after the required period of eligible New Zealand work, currently 24 months.

SKILLED MIGRANT CATEGORY

The SMC has a points-based pathway requiring 6 skilled resident points, plus the required skilled job or job offer and other conditions.

SKILLED WORK EXPERIENCE

From 24 August 2026, eligible applicants can qualify through the new pathway based on work experience: a skilled Level 1–3 job, at least 1.1 times the SMC wage threshold, 3 years of relevant work experience plus 2 years of skilled work experience in New Zealand. From 9 March 2026, the SMC wage threshold is NZD $35.00/hour, making the current 1.1× requirement NZD $38.50/hour.

TRADES & TECHNICIAN

From 24 August 2026, eligible trades and technician applicants can use the new pathway requiring an eligible job, a relevant Level 4+ qualification, and at least 4 years of directly relevant post-qualification experience, including 1.5 years of skilled work experience in New Zealand paid at least the SMC wage threshold.

PERMANENT RESIDENT VISA

  • A Permanent Resident Visa can generally be applied for after holding a Resident Visa for at least 2 years continuously and meeting the other requirements.
  • Applicants must demonstrate commitment to New Zealand in at least one accepted way. One common route is spending at least 184 days in New Zealand as a resident in each of the two 12-month periods immediately before applying.
  • The Permanent Resident Visa allows indefinite travel in and out of New Zealand.

CITIZENSHIP

  • Citizenship is a separate step
For most people, New Zealand citizenship may be possible after 5 years of living in New Zealand as a resident, subject to citizenship requirements. The presence requirement generally includes at least 240 days in each 12-month period and 1,350 days across the 5 years immediately before applying.

IQA — IMPORTANT CLARIFICATION FOR INDIAN STUDENTS

  • No blanket IQA waiver
It is not correct to say that ‘most Indian degrees are exempt from IQA’ as a blanket rule. Some overseas qualifications are on New Zealand’s List of Qualifications Exempt from Assessment (LQEA), but exemption depends on the exact qualification, awarding institution, award date and other conditions. If a qualification is not exempt, an IQA may be required for the relevant visa or residence application.

YOUR NEW ZEALAND JOURNEY

A clearer website-ready flow from application to career

Choose Your Programme

Match your academic background, career goals and budget with an appropriate New Zealand qualification.

Check Entry & Visa Eligibility

Review academic entry requirements, English requirements, student visa rules, funds, insurance and any qualification-assessment needs.

Prepare & Submit

Organise academic documents, passport, financial evidence and other supporting documents, then submit the education application.

Receive Offer & Apply for Visa

Accept the offer, complete the student visa application and provide the required supporting evidence.

Study & Build Experience

Study full-time, follow your visa conditions and use eligible work or practical-learning opportunities to develop skills.

Post-Study Options

Where eligible, explore the Post Study Work Visa based on current requirements.

Explore Skilled Residence

If your occupation, qualification, pay and experience meet the requirements, consider Green List or Skilled Migrant Category pathways.

2026 accuracy note

Immigration settings and fees can change. This guide includes current 2026 figures and announced changes, but students should check the latest Immigration New Zealand and New Zealand Qualifications Authority requirements before publication or application.