Study in New Zealand from Vietnam: Visa, Scholarships & Living Costs 2026/2027

## Quick Facts - Vietnamese student enrolments in New Zealand continue to grow, driven by strong ASEAN-New Zealand education cooperation - Undergraduate tuition at New Zealand universities for Vietnamese students ranges from NZD $22,000 to NZD $35,000 per year - Immigration New Zealand requires NZD $20,000 per year as evidence of living costs, in addition to tuition fees - Student visa processing times for Vietnamese applicants average 6 to 10 weeks - Vietnamese students can work up to 20 hours per week during term and full-time during holidays on a student visa - A Post-Study Work Visa of up to three years is available for graduates of Level 7 or above qualifications ## Overview: New Zealand's Growing Appeal for Vietnamese Students Vietnam has emerged as one of the fastest-growing source markets for international students in New Zealand, reflecting the country's rapid economic development, rising middle class, and the strong appetite among Vietnamese families for quality overseas education. New Zealand's education offerings align well with Vietnamese priorities: internationally recognised qualifications, a safe and clean environment, and clear post-study work pathways that provide a return on the significant educational investment families make. The relationship between New Zealand and Vietnam is underpinned by strong bilateral ties, including the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area (AANZFTA) and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). These regional frameworks facilitate trade, investment, and people-to-people connections between the two countries, creating a favourable environment for educational exchange. New Zealand and Vietnam also have a growing strategic partnership that includes education as a key pillar of cooperation. For Vietnamese students, New Zealand offers a distinctive alternative to more crowded destinations. While Australia, the United States, and the United Kingdom remain the most popular overseas study destinations for Vietnamese families, New Zealand is gaining ground thanks to its lower cost of living compared with Australia, its more generous post-study work policies, and its reputation for safety and quality of life. The smaller international student population in New Zealand also means that Vietnamese students can enjoy a more immersive English-language environment than they might find in cities with very large Vietnamese student communities. ## Student Visa Requirements for Vietnamese Citizens The student visa application process for Vietnamese passport holders follows the standard Immigration New Zealand pathway, with some specific considerations for applicants from Vietnam. Understanding these requirements in detail can help Vietnamese students prepare a strong application. The first requirement is an offer of place from an approved New Zealand education provider. The offer must be for a full-time programme that leads to a qualification on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework and that is approved by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority. Before accepting the offer, verify the institution's and programme's approved status through the NZQA website. The offer letter must state the programme name, duration, start and end dates, and tuition fees. Financial evidence is the most detailed part of the application. Immigration New Zealand requires proof that you have NZD $20,000 for living expenses for each year of study, plus the first year of tuition fees. Vietnamese applicants most commonly provide evidence through bank statements in the student's or parents' names, showing the required funds held over a period of at least six months. Education loans from recognised Vietnamese banks, including Vietcombank, BIDV, Techcombank, and VietinBank, are accepted as evidence. Sponsorship from relatives living abroad is also acceptable, with the sponsor required to provide bank statements and a sponsorship declaration form. Medical certification is required for Vietnamese applicants intending to study in New Zealand for more than six months. The medical examination and chest X-ray must be performed by a physician on Immigration New Zealand's panel. Panel physicians are available in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. The results are valid for 36 months. A police clearance certificate, known in Vietnam as a Judicial Record Certificate (Phieu Ly Lich Tu Phap), must be obtained from the Department of Justice at the provincial or municipal level. The genuine student test applies to Vietnamese applicants just as it does to all international students. You must demonstrate that your primary purpose for coming to New Zealand is study, and that your circumstances provide sufficient incentive to comply with visa conditions and depart New Zealand or transition to a lawful immigration status after your studies. Your statement of purpose should explain your academic and career background, your reasons for choosing New Zealand and your specific programme and institution, and your post-study plans. Evidence of family ties, property ownership, or career prospects in Vietnam can help demonstrate your intention to return after completing studies, or to follow a lawful post-study work and residence pathway. Processing times for Vietnamese applications typically range from six to ten weeks. Applying three to four months before your programme start date is recommended to provide a comfortable buffer. ## Scholarships with an ASEAN Focus Vietnam's membership in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) opens up scholarship opportunities that are specifically available to Vietnamese students or for which they are highly competitive. New Zealand has invested significantly in education partnerships with ASEAN countries, recognising the region as a priority for educational cooperation. The New Zealand-ASEAN Scholar Awards, funded by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, are among the most significant scholarship opportunities for Vietnamese students. These awards support postgraduate study at New Zealand universities in fields aligned with New Zealand's development priorities in the ASEAN region, including agriculture and agribusiness, renewable energy, climate change adaptation, public health, governance, and education. The scholarships cover full tuition fees, a living allowance of approximately NZD $491 per week, return airfares, health insurance, and an establishment allowance. Vietnamese applicants compete with students from other ASEAN countries, and selection is based on academic merit, leadership potential, and the relevance of the proposed study to development priorities. The Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships programme also includes Vietnam among eligible countries for certain scholarship rounds. These scholarships are primarily for postgraduate study and target fields that align with Vietnam's development needs. The eligibility criteria and application rounds are updated annually, and Vietnamese students should monitor the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade website for current information. At the university level, New Zealand institutions offer their own international scholarships, and Vietnamese students with strong academic records should apply for these as part of their admission process. The University of Auckland International Student Excellence Scholarship, worth up to NZD $10,000, the University of Otago International Research Master's Scholarship, which provides a NZD $17,000 stipend plus tuition fee waiver, and the Victoria University of Wellington Tongarewa Scholarship are all open to Vietnamese applicants based on academic merit. The New Zealand International Doctoral Research Scholarship (NZIDRS) is a prestigious award open to doctoral candidates from all countries, including Vietnam. It covers full tuition fees and provides a living stipend for three years of full-time doctoral study. Vietnamese scholars with strong research proposals in fields relevant to New Zealand's research priorities are competitive for this award. ## Cost of Living Comparison: Vietnam vs New Zealand For Vietnamese families planning to fund a New Zealand education, understanding the cost of living in realistic terms is essential. The cost difference between Vietnam and New Zealand is significant, and students should prepare for a different financial reality. Accommodation is the single largest expense for Vietnamese students in New Zealand. A room in a shared house or apartment costs NZD $150 to NZD $250 per week depending on the city and location. Auckland is the most expensive city, with rooms in convenient locations typically costing NZD $200 to NZD $280 per week. University halls of residence cost NZD $280 to NZD $420 per week, but these are inclusive of utilities, internet, and sometimes meals. In Vietnamese terms, a monthly rent of NZD $800 to NZD $1,000 in Auckland for a shared room compares with approximately VND 3 million to VND 8 million in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City for comparable quality accommodation. The difference is substantial and requires adjustment in budgeting expectations. Food costs vary based on whether students cook at home or eat out. Vietnamese students who cook their own meals, using ingredients from Asian supermarkets that stock Vietnamese and Southeast Asian products, typically spend NZD $80 to NZD $120 per week on food. Eating out, whether at Vietnamese restaurants or other cuisines, is significantly more expensive, with a restaurant meal costing NZD $18 to NZD $35. Weekly food costs in New Zealand are approximately five to eight times higher than in Vietnam for comparable quality, which is an important budgeting consideration. Transportation costs are moderate. Most New Zealand cities have bus-based public transport systems, with student concessions available. Monthly public transport costs range from NZD $80 to NZD $180 depending on the city and travel distance. Many students in smaller cities such as Dunedin, Hamilton, and Palmerston North find they can walk or cycle to campus, keeping transport costs to a minimum. Vietnamese students in New Zealand are permitted to work up to 20 hours per week during term and full-time during holidays. At the minimum wage of NZD $23.15 per hour, working the maximum permitted hours during term provides approximately NZD $460 per week before tax, or NZD $380 to NZD $400 after tax. This income can cover most living expenses, allowing the family's contribution to focus on tuition fees. During the summer holiday period, full-time work can generate significant savings. Vietnamese students commonly find part-time work in Vietnamese restaurants, Asian grocery stores, cafes, hospitality venues, and aged care facilities. Building a network within the Vietnamese community can be helpful for accessing these opportunities. ## Popular Courses for Vietnamese Students Vietnamese students in New Zealand show clear preferences in their choice of programmes, influenced by career opportunities both in New Zealand and upon return to Vietnam, where the growing economy demands skilled professionals with international qualifications. Business and commerce programmes are the most popular choice among Vietnamese students. Bachelor of Commerce degrees with majors in accounting, finance, marketing, and international business attract large numbers of Vietnamese undergraduates. At the postgraduate level, the Master of Professional Accounting, Master of Management, and MBA programmes are popular pathways. Vietnam's rapidly growing corporate sector, including both domestic enterprises and foreign-invested companies, creates strong demand for graduates with internationally recognised business qualifications. Information technology and computer science programmes have seen the fastest growth in Vietnamese student enrolments. Vietnam's tech sector is booming, with Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi emerging as Southeast Asian technology hubs. New Zealand qualifications in software development, data science, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence are highly valued by Vietnamese tech employers. For students planning to return to Vietnam, a New Zealand IT qualification combined with English proficiency provides a significant competitive advantage. For those considering a longer-term future in New Zealand, skilled IT professionals are in sustained demand. Hospitality and tourism management are logical choices for Vietnamese students, given Vietnam's position as one of Southeast Asia's fastest-growing tourism destinations. New Zealand's tourism and hospitality industry is world-class, and its training programmes combine academic rigour with practical experience. Programmes at institutions such as the Auckland University of Technology, the Pacific International Hotel Management School, and Queenstown Resort College offer internship and work placement opportunities that provide valuable industry experience. Engineering programmes, particularly civil, mechanical, and environmental engineering, appeal to Vietnamese students from strong science backgrounds. Vietnam's infrastructure development creates sustained demand for qualified engineers, and New Zealand engineering qualifications are internationally accredited through the Washington Accord, ensuring recognition in Vietnam and across the Asia-Pacific region. At postgraduate level, public policy and international relations programmes at Victoria University of Wellington attract Vietnamese students interested in government, diplomacy, and the non-profit sector. Environmental science and renewable energy programmes at the University of Waikato and the University of Canterbury align with Vietnam's growing focus on sustainable development and climate adaptation. ## FAQ ### Q: How does the New Zealand education system compare with Vietnam's? A: The New Zealand education system places greater emphasis on independent thinking, critical analysis, class participation, and practical application than the Vietnamese system, which is more lecture-based and exam-focused. Vietnamese students may find the transition challenging initially, particularly the expectation to contribute opinions in class discussions and to complete self-directed research projects. However, most universities offer academic transition support, and the skills developed are highly valued by employers in both Vietnam and internationally. ### Q: Can I stay in New Zealand and work after graduation? A: Yes, after completing a Level 7 or higher qualification studied for at least 30 weeks in New Zealand, you can apply for a Post-Study Work Visa valid for up to three years. This visa allows you to work for any employer, providing time to gain professional experience and explore residence pathways. Many Vietnamese graduates have successfully transitioned from study to skilled employment and residence through this route. ### Q: Is there a Vietnamese student community in New Zealand? A: Yes, Vietnamese student associations exist at major New Zealand universities, particularly in Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch. These associations organise social events, celebrate Tet (Vietnamese New Year), and provide peer support. While the Vietnamese community in New Zealand is smaller than in Australia or the United States, it is active and welcoming. Vietnamese restaurants and grocery stores are available in Auckland, and increasingly in other cities. ## Sources - Immigration New Zealand Student Visa: https://www.immigration.govt.nz/new-zealand-visas/visas/visa/fee-paying-student-visa - New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade Scholarships: https://www.mfat.govt.nz/en/aid-and-development/scholarships/ - Study with New Zealand: https://www.studywithnewzealand.govt.nz/ - Education New Zealand: https://www.enz.govt.nz/ - Immigration New Zealand Post-Study Work Visa: https://www.immigration.govt.nz/new-zealand-visas/visas/visa/post-study-work-visa - New Zealand Qualifications Authority: https://www.nzqa.govt.nz/