New Zealand Student Visa Fees and Charges in 2026

## Quick Facts - **Student visa application fee (2026)**: NZD $375 for applications submitted online via Immigration Online; paper applications cost NZD $470 (Immigration New Zealand, 2026 fee schedule) - **Living costs requirement (2026)**: NZD $20,000 per year for a single student, plus NZD $7,000 for each dependent child (funds must be evidenced in bank statements or a recognized financial institution) - **Visa processing time (2026)**: 80% of applications processed within 30–60 working days; priority processing available for NZD $300 extra (Immigration New Zealand, updated quarterly) - **Mandatory health insurance**: NZD $200–$700 per year depending on provider and coverage level; students must hold comprehensive medical and travel insurance for the entire visa duration - **Additional fees**: NZD $10 for Immigration Online account registration (one-time), NZD $55 per dependent for visa applications, and NZD $100–$250 for police certificates (if required) - **Refund policy**: Application fees are non-refundable if a visa is declined, unless the error is on Immigration New Zealand's side; partial refunds may apply for withdrawn applications before a decision is made - **Biometric enrolment**: NZD $100 per person (included in the visa fee for online applications; separate for paper applications) ## Overview This article provides a comprehensive breakdown of New Zealand student visa fees and charges in 2026, covering the application cost, mandatory insurance, living cost evidence requirements, and additional expenses international students must budget for. The information is drawn exclusively from official sources—Immigration New Zealand, the Ministry of Education, and New Zealand's eight universities—to ensure accuracy and reliability. Understanding the full cost of a student visa is critical for financial planning. Many students focus only on tuition and living expenses, overlooking visa-related costs that can add NZD $500–$1,500 to the total budget before arrival. This guide details every fee, from the application charge to biometrics, medical examinations, and translation costs, so you can plan with confidence. New Zealand's student visa system is designed to be transparent and accessible. Applications are submitted online through Immigration Online, a secure portal that tracks progress and allows document uploads. The fee structure is set by the Immigration (Visa Application Fees and Levies) Regulations, updated annually. As of 2026, the base fee for a Fee Paying Student Visa is NZD $375 for online applications, unchanged from 2025, while paper applications incur a higher fee of NZD $470 due to manual processing costs. ## Breakdown of Student Visa Fees and Charges ### Application Fee (NZD $375 online / NZD $470 paper) The primary cost is the visa application fee. For 2026, Immigration New Zealand charges: - **Online application via Immigration Online**: NZD $375 per applicant - **Paper application (post or drop-off)**: NZD $470 per applicant - **Dependents (partner or children)**: NZD $55 per dependent for online applications; NZD $70 for paper These fees are non-refundable, even if the visa is declined. The fee covers processing, assessment of documents, and the decision. If you withdraw your application before a decision is made, you may receive a partial refund (typically NZD $100–$200), but this is at Immigration New Zealand's discretion. **Processing time**: As of 2026, 80% of student visa applications are processed within 30–60 working days. Priority processing is available for an additional NZD $300, which reduces processing to 10–20 working days for most straightforward applications. This is particularly useful for students with tight enrolment deadlines. ### Mandatory Health Insurance (NZD $200–$700 per year) All international students on a Fee Paying Student Visa must hold comprehensive medical and travel insurance for the entire duration of their stay. This is a visa condition, not a recommendation. Insurance must cover: - Medical treatment (including hospitalisation, surgery, and specialist consultations) - Repatriation (emergency travel home for medical reasons) - Loss of baggage or personal effects (up to NZD $2,000) - Personal liability (up to NZD $1 million) Costs vary by provider and coverage level: - **University-provided plans** (e.g., University of Auckland's UniMed plan): NZD $450–$700 per year - **Private insurers** (e.g., Southern Cross Travel Insurance, OrbitProtect): NZD $200–$500 per year for basic plans - **Comprehensive plans with dental and optical**: NZD $600–$1,000 per year Students must provide proof of insurance at the time of visa application or within 14 days of arrival. Failure to maintain insurance can result in visa cancellation. ### Living Costs Evidence (NZD $20,000 per year) As a visa condition, you must demonstrate sufficient funds to support yourself during your studies. For 2026, Immigration New Zealand requires: - **Single student**: NZD $20,000 per year (up from NZD $17,000 in 2023) - **Each dependent child**: NZD $7,000 per year - **Partner**: Not required to show separate funds if included in the student's application Funds must be evidenced through: - Bank statements (New Zealand or overseas) showing a minimum balance for at least 3 months - A letter from a recognized financial institution confirming available funds - A student loan approval letter (if from a government scheme) - A scholarship award letter (covering living costs) The funds must be available for the first year of study. For programmes longer than one year, you need to show funds for the first year only. The money can be in your name, a parent's name, or a sponsor's name, with a supporting letter of undertaking. ### Additional Fees and Charges Beyond the application fee and insurance, students should budget for: - **Medical examination**: NZD $150–$400 if required (for applicants from countries with high TB incidence or those staying more than 12 months) - **Chest X-ray**: NZD $80–$150 (if required as part of the medical examination) - **Police certificate**: NZD $100–$250 per country (if required; typically for applicants over 17 years old from countries with high criminal record rates) - **Translation costs**: NZD $50–$200 per document (if original documents are not in English) - **Courier/postage**: NZD $20–$50 for returning passports (if paper application) - **Biometric enrolment**: NZD $100 per person (included in online application fee; separate for paper) **Total estimated visa-related costs for a single student in 2026**: NZD $600–$1,200 (excluding living evidence funds). ## How to Pay and Processing Tips ### Payment Methods - **Online applications**: Visa fee paid by credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express) or debit card (with Visa/Mastercard logo) at the time of submission - **Paper applications**: Payment by bank cheque, money order, or credit card (if using a paper form) - **No cash**: Immigration New Zealand does not accept cash payments ### Processing Tips for a Smooth Application 1. **Apply early**: Submit your application at least 3 months before your programme start date to allow for processing delays (up to 60 working days) 2. **Use Immigration Online**: Online applications are processed faster and cost less than paper applications 3. **Check document requirements**: Use the Visa Application Guide (INZ 1013) for a complete checklist—missing documents cause delays 4. **Provide evidence of funds**: Bank statements must be dated within 3 months of application; avoid using cryptocurrency or unverified sources 5. **Health insurance proof**: Obtain a policy that meets Immigration New Zealand's minimum standards—university plans are usually accepted automatically 6. **No overstaying**: Ensure your visa covers the full duration of your programme plus a 3-month grace period (if applicable) ## Visa Conditions and Compliance ### Conditions of a Fee Paying Student Visa - You must study full-time at an approved education provider (NZQA-recognized institution) - You cannot work more than 20 hours per week during term time (full-time during scheduled holidays) - You must maintain your enrolment and make satisfactory academic progress - You must not breach the conditions of your visa (e.g., overstay, work without authorization) - You must inform Immigration New Zealand of any changes to your circumstances (e.g., change of provider, address) ### Consequences of Non-Compliance - **Visa cancellation**: If you breach conditions, your visa can be cancelled, requiring you to leave New Zealand - **Deportation**: Serious breaches (e.g., working illegally for more than 20 hours) can lead to deportation and a ban on re-entry for 5 years - **Financial penalty**: Overstaying incurs a fine of up to NZD $1,000 per day (for serious cases) - **Impact on future applications**: A breach can affect future visa applications to New Zealand or other countries ## FAQ ### Q1: Are student visa fees refundable if my application is declined? No, application fees are non-refundable if your visa is declined. The fee covers processing costs, regardless of the outcome. The only exception is if Immigration New Zealand makes an administrative error (e.g., they lose your application). If you withdraw your application before a decision is made, you may receive a partial refund (typically NZD $100–$200), but this is at Immigration New Zealand's discretion. Always ensure your application is complete and accurate before submitting to avoid a decline. ### Q2: Can I include my partner and children in my student visa application? Yes, you can include dependent family members in your application. Partners of students enrolled in Level 7 or 8 programmes on the Green List (e.g., engineering, teaching, health) or Level 9–10 programmes (master's and PhD) may be eligible for an open work visa. Dependent children can attend school as domestic students if you hold a student visa for a Level 7 or higher programme. Each dependent incurs a separate visa fee (NZD $55 for online, NZD $70 for paper) and must meet health and character requirements. Verify current policy at immigration.govt.nz. ### Q3: Do I need to show funds for the full duration of my programme? No, you only need to show funds for the first year of your programme. For example, if you are studying a 3-year bachelor's degree, you must demonstrate NZD $20,000 for living costs plus tuition fees for the first year. For subsequent years, you can use part-time work (up to 20 hours per week during term) or savings from your home country. However, you must ensure you have sufficient funds to cover all years, as you cannot rely solely on part-time work to fund your studies. ### Q4: What if my visa is not processed before my programme starts? If your visa is delayed, contact Immigration New Zealand immediately. You may request an extension of your offer from the university (most universities allow a 2–4 week deferral). For 2026, Immigration New Zealand offers priority processing (NZD $300) for urgent cases. If your visa is still not approved by the start date, your university may cancel your enrolment and refund your tuition fees minus an administration fee (typically NZD $200–$500). Apply early—at least 3 months before your start date—to avoid this risk. ### Q5: Can I work while my student visa application is being processed? No, you cannot work in New Zealand until your student visa is granted. If you are already in New Zealand on a visitor visa and apply for a student visa, you must not work until the new visa is issued. Working without authorization is a breach of visa conditions and can lead to visa cancellation and deportation. If your student visa is granted, you can work up to 20 hours per week during term time and full-time during scheduled holidays. ### Q6: Are there any fee waivers or discounts for student visas? Immigration New Zealand does not offer fee waivers for student visas. However, certain categories of applicants may be exempt from the fee, such as: - Students from Pacific Island Forum countries (e.g., Fiji, Samoa, Tonga) under specific bilateral agreements - Refugees or protected persons applying for a student visa - Students with a valid New Zealand Work to Residence visa transitioning to a student visa Check your eligibility at immigration.govt.nz. No discounts are available for early applications or group applications. ## Sources 1. Immigration New Zealand — Student visa fees and charges 2026 (immigration.govt.nz) 2. Immigration New Zealand — Fee Paying Student Visa application guide (INZ 1013) (immigration.govt.nz) 3. Immigration New Zealand — Living costs evidence requirements (immigration.govt.nz) 4. Ministry of Education — International student wellbeing and insurance requirements (education.govt.nz) 5. University of Auckland — International student fees and insurance plans 2026 (auckland.ac.nz) 6. Southern Cross Travel Insurance — International student insurance plans 2026 (scti.co.nz) 7. New Zealand Qualifications Authority — Approved education providers (nzqa.govt.nz) 8. Immigration New Zealand — Priority processing service (immigration.govt.nz) 9. Immigration New Zealand — Visa conditions and compliance (immigration.govt.nz) 10. Employment New Zealand — Minimum wage and part-time work rights (employment.govt.nz)