Eligible student visa holders may have part-time work rights. Always check the conditions on your own visa.
Official source ↗New Zealand study visa
Fee Paying Student Visa New Zealand Guide
For international students paying tuition fees themselves or with approved financial support.
Who can apply?How much money is required?Can I work while studying?How long can I stay?What insurance is required?
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Length of stay4 years
CostNZD $850
Processing time8 weeks
Practical NZ visa information
Work while studying in New Zealand
Key practical information from Immigration New Zealand and Employment New Zealand. Your actual work rights are the conditions printed on your visa.
✓ Official sources checked 17 Sept 2026, 4:48 am
This depends on your course, scheduled breaks and the work conditions granted on your student visa.
Official source ↗Official rate effective from 1 April 2026. Before tax.
Official source ↗Eligibility and work conditions depend on the qualification you complete. Open the Post Study Work Visa guide for current details.
Official source ↗Finished or finishing your study?See what the current Post Study Work Visa can allow after an eligible New Zealand qualification.Read the New Zealand Post Study Work Visa guide →
View official Immigration New Zealand pageDownload Fee Paying Student Visa PDF checklistBrowse all NZ visasNZ immigration news
Latest Fee Paying Student Visa checklist: The PDF is generated from the latest Immigration New Zealand source snapshot used by this guide and includes Webfit News branding, source details and the general-information disclaimer. Download a fresh copy whenever you need one.
Fee Paying Student Visa requirements: who can apply?
- have enough money to pay your tuition fees, or have a scholarship
- have enough money to pay your living expenses, or have an acceptable sponsor
- declare that you will have insurance that is acceptable to your education provider
- have your parent or legal guardian with you if you are aged under 10 and not living in an New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA)-approved hostel
- meet the other requirements of this visa.
- study full-time in New Zealand on an approved course, including primary, secondary, tertiary study
- work part-time up to 25 hours a week while studying and full-time in holidays, depending on your visa conditions
- travel in and out of New Zealand until your visa expires.
What the Fee Paying Student Visa lets you do
- study full-time in New Zealand on an approved course, including primary, secondary, tertiary study
- work part-time up to 25 hours a week while studying and full-time in holidays, depending on your visa conditions
- travel in and out of New Zealand until your visa expires.
Fee Paying Student Visa documents and evidence
- certified translations of police and medical certificates that are not in English
- scanned copies of the original documents.
Fee Paying Student Visa FAQ
What is the Fee Paying Student Visa?
For international students paying tuition fees themselves or with approved financial support.
How long can I stay in New Zealand on the Fee Paying Student Visa?
The latest source snapshot lists 4 years. Check the official Immigration New Zealand page because visa conditions can change.
How much does the Fee Paying Student Visa cost?
The latest source snapshot lists NZD $850. Fees can change, so confirm the current amount with Immigration New Zealand before applying.
How long does the Fee Paying Student Visa take to process?
The latest source snapshot lists 8 weeks. Processing times are indicative and can change.
Where can I check the latest official Fee Paying Student Visa requirements?
Use the official Immigration New Zealand source: https://www.immigration.govt.nz/visas/fee-paying-student-visa/. Webfit News reorganises the public information for convenience but does not replace the official source.
Other study visa guides
Looking for a different New Zealand visa?
← Browse all New Zealand visasReturn to the main NZ Visa Guide to browse work, study, visitor, residence and family visa information or download another visa checklist.
Not immigration advice: This page provides general, publicly available information for convenience. It does not assess your circumstances, recommend a visa, predict an outcome, or tell you how to answer an application. Requirements can vary by applicant and can change. Before making an immigration decision or submitting an application, check the current official Immigration New Zealand requirements. If you need advice about your personal circumstances, use an appropriately licensed or exempt immigration adviser.