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What is a Student Visa?

As an international student, you are required by law to hold a valid visa and comply with your visa conditions for the duration of your study at Unitec. It is your primary responsibility to maintain the lawful status to study and live in New Zealand.  

To formally be enrolled, all students are required to upload a copy of a valid student visa to study at Unitec, New Zealand. If you do not hold a valid student visa or fail to provide one, your student account may be suspended, your programme of study may be withdrawn and enrolment may be cancelled.

How to apply for a Student Visa? 

You must apply directly to Immigration New Zealand for a Student Visa.

 Apply online for student visa 

It is important to apply for your student visa as soon as possible, as in some cases the application process may take a minimum of one month.

Help available from Unitec

Our visa support team will be available for face-to-face or via phone, email, or video for enquiries.

Please email us if you have any questions in regards to your student visa. 

PHONE    0800 10 75 10
EMAIL      studentvisa@unitec.ac.nz

International Student Support Advisors

Our International Student Advisors are available for face-to-face or virtual consults. To book an appointment, visit their Student Advisors page.

Go to International Student Advisors page

Types of visa and requirements

Attendance requirement

International students must attend the programme of study at all times as required, at the place of study endorsed on the visa, unless there are genuine reasons for absence (See E3.20c). The visa holders are responsible for justifying any absences when questioned by Immigration New Zealand in the succeeding visa applications. For more information on attendance, please visit our FAQ. 
 
Please contact our visa team (studentvisa@unitec.ac.nz) or our International Student Advisors (internationalsupport@unitec.ac.nz) for any concerns about your attendance.

Study Abroad and Exchange students

If you are coming to New Zealand as an inbound Study Abroad and Exchange student, you must apply for a student visa prior to your arrival in New Zealand, regardless of any visa waiver requirement between New Zealand and your home country. Only in very special circumstances (as determined by Immigration New Zealand) will a student exchange visa be granted if you are already in New Zealand.

Short Course students

International students who enrol in short courses must ensure you have a valid visa to cover the duration of the study. If you are on a visitor visa, you maybe able to  study a short course of 12 weeks or shorter. For more information please visit Can I study in New Zealand? on Immigration website.

For information on how to apply for Variation of Condition, please click Changing the conditions of your visa. 

Post-study work visa

If you are a student who has completed a qualification or qualifications in New Zealand, but you do not have a job offer, you may be eligible for a Post-Study Work Visa, and the duration of this visa will depend on the programme you have completed. If you have any questions or would like more information, you can contact Visa Administrator or visit the Ask Me Desk (Mt Albert campus). 

To be eligible for a Post-study work visa you must:

  • have successfully completed a qualification in New Zealand that meets the study to work qualification requirements that would qualify for points under the Skilled Migrant Category (see SM14) and is either: 
  • a qualification at level 7 or above on the New Zealand Qualification Framework and you have studied that qualification in New Zealand for at least one academic year; or
  • a two year qualification at level 4 to 6 on the New Zealand Qualification Framework and you have studied that qualification in New Zealand for at least two academic years; or
  • two qualifications at levels 4 to 6 on the New Zealand Qualification Framework that each required at least one academic year study in New Zealand, provided the second qualification is at a higher level (two years study in New Zealand in total).
  • apply no later than three months (six months if you have completed a doctoral qualification) after the end date of the student visa for that qualification
  • provide evidence of a minimum of NZ$4,200 available to maintain yourself during your 12-month stay in New Zealand (we will accept traveller's cheques or bank documents in your name).

For more information on this visa, please click Requirements under Study to Work category.

Variation of Conditions

You may be able to apply for a variation of conditions if you hold a student visa, a work visa, or a visitor visa. Your application will only be granted if the new conditions would meet the immigration instructions your original visa was issued under.

Student visa holders

You may be able to apply for a variation of conditions to allow you to change the course you are studying and/or the education provider you are studying with, or to allow you to work part-time and/or full-time during your holidays. If you withdraw from your course of study and/or education provider before varying the conditions of your visa, you will be in breach of your visa conditions.

Work and Visitor Visa holders

You may be able to apply for a variation of conditions to allow you to study part-time.

Useful Links

FAQ on Visa

 

A. Applying for visa

1. How do I renew my student visa? 

To renew your student visa, you need to prepare the following:

  • Confirmation of Enrolment: You may also request this from Student Central
  • Notification of Course Results: Please seek help from Student Central
  • Attendance Letter:  Attendance letters will be sent to your registered email account at the end of each semester. If you have attendance queries, please contact the Unitec International Support Team: internationalsupport@unitec.ac.nz
  • Evidence of Payment of Tuition Fees: Please arrange the tuition fee payment as early as possible. For more information on how to pay your fees, please visit: Paying your fees | Application and funding | Unitec
  • Evidence of Available Funds for Living Costs:  You must show that you have genuinely available funds ($20,000 for 1 year or 2 semesters; $10,000 for one semester) for your living costs. Print a 3-month bank statement from your NZ bank account

For more details on the requirements to renew your student visa, please click this link: Student visa application checklist – continuing international students (immigration.govt.nz).

Submit an online visa application to Immigration NZ through this link: Fee Paying Student Visa: Visa details | Immigration New Zealand.

2. The visa application portal asks for confirmation of study credits for my programme. Where can I find this?

Please find this from the Unitec website Unitec - Study a Certificate, Diploma, Degree, or Postgraduate in Auckland, locate the Programme Regulations document, and capture a screenshot of the page showing the credits required to complete the programme you intend to study.

3. Can you please help me follow up on visa applications with Immigration NZ?

Unitec has not been authorised to follow up on applications for students as applications are submitted individually.  Only you or your nominated licensed Immigration Adviser or authorised persons can help you liaise with Immigration NZ.  

You may want to consult Immigration NZ directly or find a licensed Immigration Adviser who can help you. Please check this link: Immigration advice for your visa application | Immigration New Zealand

4. How many credits do I need for a student visa?

A student visa holder must be enrolled for 45 credits and above. Less than that, the student must apply for a Visitor Visa with study conditions.

 

B. Post-study work visa

1. What are the requirements for applying for a Post Study Work Visa?

2. How can I qualify for a Post Study Work Visa (PSWV)?

  • Eligibility for a PSWV requires a minimum of 30 weeks of full-time study in the specific programme/qualification presented on the visa.
  • Students must have held a student visa for that programme/qualification and apply for their PSWV within three months of the expiry date of the student visa for the qualification they are presenting to Immigration NZ.

For details about Post Study Work Visa, please check this link: Post Study Work Visa | Immigration New Zealand

 

C. Interim visa

What is an Interim Visa? Do I have to apply for this visa?

It is a temporary visa issued by Immigration NZ to those who applied for a temporary visa, but applications are still being processed, and an outcome may not yet be ready when the applicant's visa expires while in New Zealand. This visa will allow the holder to stay lawful in New Zealand while the visa application is still being processed. You do not apply for this visa, which is automated when the current visa expires

 

D. Holiday period

1. Where can I find the Unitec document showing the date of the holiday periods? 

You can either refer to your Unconditional Offer letter or download the Unitec Academic Calendar and save it as a PDF or JPG file. View the Academic Calendar here: Academic calendar | Unitec 

2. I want to take a leave of absence during the semester for urgent personal reasons. Will I be allowed? How long can I be away?

Yes, you may leave the country if your Academic Programme Manager or any authority from the School has approved your leave.  

You are only allowed to be offshore for not more than 2 weeks. Be prepared to present the evidence of approved leave if an Immigration officer at the NZ border asks for it upon your return.

 

E. Work rights

1. I understand that I can only work part-time as a student visa holder. When can I work full-time? 

As your visa states: "You can only work 20 hours per week. May work full-time during summer vacation. May work full-time during scheduled vacations."

Summer vacation (or holiday) starts the day after the last day of the 2nd semester and ends a day before the next semester (1st semester of the next school year). The Offer of Place letter specifies your break or scheduled holiday if you are enrolled during summer school.

Scheduled breaks are those mid-semester breaks or those in between the semesters, not the study breaks or official NZ holidays.

2. My employer is asking for a letter as evidence that I can be allowed to work full-time. Can Unitec provide this letter?

Please note that the work rights were assessed and granted by Immigration New Zealand. Unitec has no authority to issue any form of letter to confirm your work-right eligibility. You may refer to your visa as it mentions your work rights.

Refer to the Unitec Academic Calendar for evidence of your school holiday or break. Your Offer of Place letter can also be a source of this information.

 

F. Changing programmes

1. Is it possible for me to change my programme this semester?

Yes, you may. You need to apply for a new Offer of Place by submitting a new application on our website. Once this is issued, you must apply for a new student visa. Once the semester starts, you are not allowed to attend classes in the new programme if your visa has not been approved. 

2. What if my current visa has yet to expire in another semester? Do I need to apply for a new visa?

You don't have to, but you must apply for a Variation of Conditions (changing programme).

3. What are the requirements for applying for a Variation of Conditions?

You need to prepare the same requirements when applying for a student visa. Additionally, you must explain why you are changing your programme.

4. Is it possible to change the programme from a higher to a lower level?

To change programme at the same education provider, the Immigration Officer must be satisfied that:

  • The visa applicant meets the student requirements set out in the Immigration Instructions (II) U3.1 and
  • The applicant has not breached their visa conditions as set out in II E3.20 and 
  • The original student visa would have been granted for the proposed programme of study, and
  • The proposed programme of study is at the same or higher level on the New Zealand Qualification Framework as the original programme of study, and
  • The applicant remains a bona fide applicant (see II E5.1)

This information means a change from higher to lower may not be allowed.

 

G. How do I send my current visa copy?

All valid visa copies must be uploaded through a Wufoo form: Please provide your valid student visa (wufoo.com)

 

H. Pathway study visa

1. What is a Pathway Student Visa?

A Pathway Student Visa is for international students who want to study up to 3 consecutive programmes of study with approved education providers on a single visa. Unitec is an approved education provider for Pathway Student Visa.
With a Pathway Student Visa, a student needs to meet the pre-requisites of any second and third courses on the study pathway to remain on a Pathway Student Visa.

2. How do I apply for a Pathway Student Visa?

A letter of support from the education provider or the Offer of Place stating the study pathway with each programme's start and end dates is required. Check the other requirements through this link: Pathway Student Visa | Immigration New Zealand 

3. If I fail to complete a programme stated in the Pathway Student Visa and cannot proceed with the next programme by the specified dates, will the Pathway Student Visa still be in effect?

No, the Pathway Student Visa will be cancelled, and you need to apply for a new student visa.

 

I. Deferral & withdrawal from semester

1. What will happen if I want to take a semester off due to personal or family reasons and I still have a visa yet to expire?

You must inform your School and the International Support Advisor about your planned leave. Your enrolment will be cancelled for that semester, and Immigration NZ will be advised that you will not be allowed to study for that semester. If Immigration NZ cancels your visa, you must apply for a new one before returning to New Zealand.

2. Can I come to class if I do not get my student visa in time for the semester start date?

No, you are not allowed to come to class. You will be asked to defer to the next available semester. Please get in touch with the Enrolment Specialists through email: international@unitec.ac.nz 

3. Can I request an extension of my start date? If granted, will Immigration NZ allow me to be late? How will it affect my attendance?

You may request a Late Start Date from the Enrolment Specialists (international@unitec.ac.nz). If you are granted a Late Start Date, then you can wait for your visa to be approved within the given period and come to your class once you have the visa approved. If the LSD period has lapsed and your visa has not been approved yet, you should defer your enrolment to the next semester.

Your non-attendance in class while waiting for the visa will be noted down in the attendance records.