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How to apply for New Zealand Study Visa as a Nepali Student | Afno Guide
- Authors
- Name
- Saurav
If you are here reading this, chances are you're intrigued about obtaining a New Zealand student visa. For the curious bunch on the back, let us hook you in. Let us show you what opportunities New Zealand student visa offers for your future.
So why choose New Zealand? Well, let's break it down. Firstly, the universities here are all extremely reputable – they consistently rank high in global rankings. They offer affordable quality education, making it a win-win situation for students. Plus, New Zealand is just really safe and peaceful.
Now, let us go through how you can apply for a New Zealand student visa from Nepal. But before that, we need to clear out few things. So what do we have in store.
Understanding Visa Conditions
If you are after a student visa you are probably after fee paying student visa:
How long can you stay on this visa?
- A: You can stay for up to 4 years.
What are the privileges of this visa?
A: With this visa, you can:
Study full-time at the course stated on your visa.
Work part-time for up to 20 hours a week while studying and full-time during holidays.
What options are available after this visa?
- A: After this visa, you can apply for another student visa or a work visa.
Is there an age limit to obtain New Zealand student visa?
- A: No, there is no age limit to get a New Zealand student visa.
Eligibility
So, what exactly are the New Zealand student visa requirements? Below, we'll outline the key eligibility criteria you need to meet to obtain your New Zealand student visa
• to be accepted for a course at an education institute approved by the Ministry of Education or the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA)
• money for your tuition fees or proof that you have a scholarship that pays your fees
• proof you have enough money to live on while you’re in NZ, and
• a ticket out of NZ or evidence that you enough money to buy one.
• You must be in good health (You might be asked to provide additional medical examination and chest x-ray document)
• You must be of good character (You may need to provide police certificates as proof of your good character.)
How to and Where to Search for Colleges
New Zealand is home to 16 Polytechnic Institutions and 8 Universities. Universities in New Zealand offer a diverse array of academic programs focusing on theoretical education and research, whereas polytechnics specialize in vocational and technical education, emphasizing practical, hands-on learning and strong industry connections.
1. Programs Offered: Does this college offer the programs I want to study?
2. Tuition fees and scholarships: What is the cost of tuition, fees, and living expenses? What scholarship options are available?
3. Location: Is the college located in an area that suits your preferences (urban, suburban, rural)?
4. Campus Facilities: What facilities are available on campus, such as libraries, laboratories, recreational centers, etc.?
5. Career Services and Alumni Network: What career services are offered? What is the reputation of the alumni network?
6. Graduation and Job Placement Rates: What is the graduation rate? What percentage of graduates find employment in their field?
Where to search for college
Here are two platforms to kickstart your college hunt:
Intake months
In New Zealand, there are two primary intakes for studying. Some universities also offer rolling intakes, meaning you can apply anytime throughout the year without worrying about deadlines. But remember, not all courses may be open for enrollment during these flexible intake times.
Summer Intake (November - February): Remember, January is a summer month in New Zealand, as it falls within the Southern Hemisphere's summer season, typically spans from November to February. It provides a range of academic opportunities for both undergraduate and postgraduate students, offering a fresh start for those eager to pursue their studies in New Zealand.
Winter Intake (July - August): Winter Intake extends from July to August and offers a variety of undergraduate and postgraduate courses, making it a favorable choice for students looking to begin their academic journey during the cooler months in New Zealand.
Nepali Student Visa Document Checklist for New Zealand
Now let's start by making sure what documents we actually need and, more importantly, where to get them. Once we have that sorted, we can start planning on applying for a visa.
1. Offer of Place: This is the document you receive after you have been accepted by a New Zealand university or polytechnic.
2. Passport: You can obtain your passport from The Department of Passports (DoP) in all 77 district headquarters.
3. Academic certificates: You obtain these documents from your respective academic institutions. You need SEE / SLC transcripts as well as 12th transcript along with all the supporting documents.
4. Medical Examination: For health evidence, you need to undergo a chest X-Ray at one of the approved medical institutions listed below:
• International Organization for Migration (IOM), Lazimpat Sadak, Panipokhari
• Nepal Mediciti Hospital, Bhaisepati - 18, Lalitpur
• Norvic Hospital, Maternity Hospital Road, Thapathali, Kathmandu
• Travel and Mountain Medicine Center, Lal Darbar Marg 47, Kathmandu
• IOM Medical Damak Nepal, Devkota Chowk (New Vegetable Market), Damak, Jhapa
5. Police clearance Certificate: Police Clearance Certificate: To show your good character, you need to provide a "Police Clearance Certificate," which can be obtained through the Nagarik app or Online Police Clearance Registration System.
Once you get your police clearance certificate, you need to get a stamp from the Department of Consular Services with a charge of Rs. 500. You can get this done using Department Of Consular Services.
6. NOC (No Objection Certificate): NOC serves as official permission from the government of Nepal, allowing you to study in another country. It is issued by the Ministry of Education, and you can apply for it online through the No Objection Certificate.
7. Financial Documents: How much money you need to show depends on your course and the living expenses. Nepal SBI, Nabil Bank or Standard Chartered Bank (SCB) Nepal Limited are the only approved banks.
8. Return ticket cost: You need to show you have a enough funds to cover the cost of your return flight ticket back to Nepal.
Additionally check out First time student visa information sheet if you would like more in-depth information.
Process on How to Apply for New Zealand Student Visa
Everything starts with researching and selecting an educational institution that aligns with your interests and the course of study you want to pursue in New Zealand.
Next, visit the college website to confirm you meet the admission requirements of your chosen institution.
Apply to the college and receive your Offer of Place from the institution.
Ensure you have sufficient funds to cover your tuition fees and living expenses while studying in New Zealand.
Then, gather all the necessary documents. Refer to the earlier section to check all the required documents you need.
Fill out the visa application form on the official New Zealand immigration website.
Pay the required visa application fee as specified by the New Zealand immigration authorities.
Submit your completed visa application along with all supporting documents online through the designated portal.
Attend any required interviews or provide biometric information if requested.
Wait for the processing of your visa application by Immigration New Zealand.
Provide any additional information or documents as requested by the immigration authorities.
Receive your visa and start making your plans ahead.
Further Support
And that wraps it up. New Zealand has a very reputable education system, renowned for its academic excellence, and pursuing your education here offers a whole lot of benefits. Additionally, here are numerous groups on Facebook like Journey to New Zealand Student Visa where you can find valuable assistance and connect with fellow students on a similar journey.
Remember, it's normal to feel overwhelmed when navigating this process on your own, so it is advisable to seek assistance from a consultancy to simplify the process. If you're considering this route, check out our blog about the Top Nepali Consultancies to Study in New Zealand.
Alternatively, if you're still undecided about where to study, take a look at our other blog on Top Universities and Polytechics in New Zealand with most Nepali Students.
And if you have any questions, as always, feel free to comment down below. Happy visa journey!