The University of Auckland

Student visas

To study as an international student in New Zealand, you will need a valid student visa through Immigration New Zealand.

Student visas

To study as an international student in New Zealand, you will need a valid student visa through Immigration New Zealand.

Important information for getting started

Visas can take a few weeks to process, so it's important to allow plenty of time for Immigration New Zealand (INZ) to handle your application – we recommend you apply at least four months before your arrival in New Zealand.

Visa applications for first-time international students

If you are a first-time international student travelling to New Zealand and the University of Auckland, and have not held a student visa here before, there are a few steps you will need to take to apply for your student visa.


The process involves careful preparation, and it's important to have all your documentation ready so that you can submit a complete application and avoid any delays (or your application being declined).


We've created the following step-by-step guides to help you get through the process with ease – from accepting your offer of place and paying your fees, to providing evidence of your finances and health, and submitting your complete application. 


To get started, visit the link that matches your study level.

If you are a continuing student who has studied at the University before, either in-person or online, and are currently outside of New Zealand, you can visit our guide for continuing students.

General information about visas

Do you need to know more about student visas before you apply? On our visa information page, you can find out more about important visa topics, including the following:


  • Working after your studies, and post-study work visas
  • How to provide visa evidence to the University
  • Applying for a student visa while you are already in New Zealand
  • What happens if you need to change your programme of study
  • Upcoming visa information sessions.


If you still have questions, you can also find a link to frequently asked questions (FAQs).