People applying from outside New Zealand require a visa to enter New Zealand. The visa will be endorsed with the conditions that will apply to their status when they arrive in New Zealand. In particular the visa will specify what type of permit, and its expiry date, is to be issued in the passport at the airport on their arrival – visitor, work, residence etc.

Once in New Zealand each person must remain on a valid permit, and abide by the conditions of this permit, throughout their time in New Zealand. A permit allows the holder to remain in New Zealand for the duration and specific purpose as noted on their permit. It is possible to change the permit terms while in New Zealand. For example, a person may initially hold a visitor permit, then they may decide to go to University which requires a change to a student permit. After they complete their study they may get a job which requires the granting of a work permit. Later they may qualify for residence and be granted a residence permit.

Permits are issued pursuant to the main purpose of the stay. However it is possible to vary the conditions of a permit to allow another part time purpose to be accommodated. For example, the holder of a work permit may obtain a variation of conditions to allow part time study while working.

Applications for new permits MUST be lodged in the correct manner with INZ before the expiry date shown on the permit. In most instances the permit will expire at midnight on the day before the expiry date shown on the permit so any new application should be made well in advance of the expiry date noted.

All permits automatically expire when the holder leaves New Zealand and a re-entry visa is required for the holder to return again to New Zealand and be issued a new permit. Visas are issued for either single entry or multiple entries. Visas and permits are issued for the period of the intended stay and normally the passport must be valid to a date at least 3 months after the permit expiry date (otherwise the permit will be issued to an earlier date).

All permit and visa applicants must satisfy INZ policy requirements to be of good health and character and to have a genuine intention to abide by the terms of their permit.

Limited Purpose Visas
Applications for visas to enter New Zealand for a special purpose, either as a visitor, student or worker, which are considered by INZ to present an unacceptable level of risk may be considered for a Limited Purpose Visa. These visas are issued only to allow the holder entry into New Zealand for a specific purpose – this may be a family wedding, funeral, short term study programme or work conference etc. Limited Purpose Permits cannot normally be amended or extended in any way and the holder must leave New Zealand before the permit expiry date.

INZ also have the option of requesting the payment of a bond as assurance a visitor will return to their home country.

Passport holders of the following countries who are genuine visitors may travel to New Zealand without the need to pre-apply for a visitor visa provided they hold outward journey air tickets and have evidence of acceptable financial support (travellers cheques, credit cards etc) at the time of their arrival in New Zealand. These people will be issued visitor permits at the entry airport which allow a stay of up to 3 months from the date of their arrival except for British passport holders who will be issued permits for 6 months. It is possible for these visitor permits to be extended should a longer stay be desired. Australian citizens or permenent resident holders do not require a visitor visa as they are conferred New Zealand residence status on arrival in New Zealand.

 

Andorra	Hungary	Poland
Argentina	Iceland	Portugal*
Austria	Ireland	Romania
Bahrain	Israel	Qatar
Belgium	Italy	San Marino
Brazil	Japan	Saudi Arabia
Brunei	Korea (South)	Singapore
Bulgaria	Kuwait	Slovak Republic
Canada	Latvia*	Slovenia
Chile	Liechtenstein	South Africa
Cyprus	Lithuania*	Spain
Czech Republic	Luxembourg	Sweden
Denmark	Malaysia	Switzerland
Estonia*	Malta	United Arab Emirates
Finland	Mexico	United States of America*
France	Monaco	Uruguay
Germany	Netherlands	Vatican City
Greece *	Norway
Hong Kong *	Oman

 

Countries marked with* may be subject to additional considerations.

Passport holders of all countries not included in the above list must apply for a visitor visa before their arrival in New Zealand. Such visitor visas can authorise the issue of a visitor permit for a stay from 1 week up to 9 months. Visitor permits can generally be issued or extended to allow a maximum stay of 9 months in any 18 month period.

Visitor permit holders cannot work or undertake any long term study but can enrol in one short term study programme of up to 3 months.

Under INZ temporary policies a child is considered a dependent of their parents up until their 20^th birthday unless they themselves are working or in a partnership relationship. Partners and dependent children can be included within the one visitor visa or permit application.

Parent & Grandparent Visitor Policy
A special policy change has recently been enacted which allows parents and grandparents of New Zealand residents to obtain long term 3 year multiple entry visitor visas which allow a stay of up to 6 months in each year.

Students enrolling in recognised study programmes with Government recognised educational institutions must hold a valid student permit before commencing study. To obtain such a permit applicants must normally have a formal offer of enrolment from the institution, evidence of payment of the tuition fees, guarantee of accommodation and financial support for the term of their study, and satisfy INZ that they are of good health and character and are genuinely intending to study.

The PathwaysNZ group has assisted over 1500 international students to study in New Zealand since 1990. Information on some study programmes can be gained from the following institutions;

University of Waikato – for tertiary study programmes and English language courses

University of Auckland - for tertiary study programmes and English language courses

Waikato Institute of Technology (WINTEC) – for tertiary and vocational programmes

Rotorua English Language Academy (RELA) – for all English language and holiday programmes

The New Zealand academic year is from around late January to mid December for schools and late February to early November for tertiary programmes including Universities and Polytechnics. Student permits are generally issued for the period for which the course fees are paid and permits for tertiary courses are normally made valid until 31 March. This allows time for re-enrolment as new permits need to be applied for on a yearly basis. More information on New Zealand education can be found at:

Ministry of Education (http://www.minedu.govt.nz/)

Education New Zealand (http://www.newzealandeducated.com/)

There are special policies applying to young students under 13 years coming to study at New Zealand primary and intermediate schools. Some of these students may only be granted a student permit if they are accompanied by one of their parents who must live with them in New Zealand. The parent will be granted a guardianship visitor permit for the same period as their child’s student permit.

To enquire about studying in New Zealand email – study@pathwaysNZ.com

Student Work Policy
There are a number of policies which apply to the ability of students to work in New Zealand and these need to be reviewed on an individual basis. Generally speaking, the following policies are likely to apply.

Students enrolled in Year 12 & 13 at secondary school or undertaking long term English language programmes may be able to work for 20 hours per week with parental and school permission.

Students who are enrolled in a full time tertiary, University or Polytechnic programmes may work for up to 20 hours a week and full time during the summer holiday vacation. The study programme must be one of at least 2 years duration or for a qualification which is recognised for points under the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) residence policy.

Students who graduate from a study programme in New Zealand with a qualification which is recognised under SMC policy can be granted a 12 month graduate work permit. This permit allows a graduate the ability to seek, obtain and undertake work in any position with any employer without the normal requirement for a prerequisite employment offer.

Similarly, should these same gradute students be successful in obtaining long term employment which is directly relevant to their New Zealand qualification they can apply for a 2 year work permit. This permit allows the holder only to work for an individual employer and in the position specified.

At no time are students able to work in any positions payable by commissions only, or in self employment or in any position within the prostitution industry.

The partners of students undertaking full time postgraduate study or towards a qualification on the Long Term Skills Shortage List may be issued open work permits enabling them to work while their partner studies.