New Zealand visa information
World Leaders in International Education
Do I need a visa to study in New Zealand?If you plan to study less than 12 weeks in total and are from a “Visa Free Country”, you do not need a student visa. If your length of study is over 12 weeks, you will need a Student Visa. For more information about obtaining a New Zealand visa, please visit the New Zealand Immigration Services website at www.immigration.govt.nz , or visit the New Zealand Embassy in your region. How much time does it take to get a Student Visa?A Student Visa is issued to students who are going to study full time in New Zealand. The time it takes to obtain one depends on the NZ Embassy from which you apply. The average time is 4-8 weeks. How soon can I start?If you are applying for a visa you should give yourself from 1 - 2 months until your desired starting dates, especially if you need accommodation. I didn't write a start date on my application because I want to start as soon as I get approved for a student visa is that ok?We need to have a start date in order to process an application. Enough time should be given for your visa to be processed and accommodation secured. What happens if my visa is denied?All fees paid will be refunded on receipt of written notification and proof of visa rejection prior to your start date. Does Kaplan Aspect issue visas for New Zealand?No. All visas are issued by the New Zealand Immigration Service or Embassy/Consulate abroad. How do I get a visa?You must first apply to study at Kaplan Aspect. If you are eligible for admission, Kaplan Aspect will issue a 'Letter of Acceptance' and 'Schedule of Charges' to you. Kaplan Aspect will issue you a receipt and new Letter of Acceptance when full payment is received for your booking. You should send these documents to the New Zealand Immigration Service or NZ Embassy/Consulate as evidence of your course. Which Embassy should I visit?Usually you are expected to visit the N.Z. Embassy/Consulate in the country for which you hold citizenship (i.e. the country that issued your passport). If your country does not have a New Zealand Embassy/Consulate or if you are currently located in a different country, you should contact the closest New Zealand Embassy to see if they can accept your application for a visa. To learn more about your local New Zealand Embassy, visit www.immigration.govt.nz. How long will my visa be valid for?Kaplan Aspect does not issue your visa and therefore cannot confirm for how long it will be valid. Visas are typically given for the length of your course + 4 weeks. However this is dependent on providing the Immigration service with the proper documents. You should confirm this information with your local New Zealand Embassy/Consulate. Can Kaplan Aspect help me complete an application for a visa?Kaplan Aspect is able to provide you with the documents to prove you are a confirmed student at our school (Letter of Acceptance, Accommodation Guarantee, and/or Receipt). However, prior to arrival, it is the student's sole responsibility to complete all government documents. Once you are at Kaplan Aspect, we will be glad to help you change your visa or apply for a visa extension if necessary. What is the likelihood that my Visa application will be approved?Kaplan Aspect does not issue visas and therefore cannot confirm the likelihood of approval. However, you should note that the granting of a visa is not guaranteed. What happens if I am denied a visa?If denied your visa, you should ask the Consular Officer for the reason of denial before you leave the Embassy. You have the right to request the denial in writing as well. If no reason or a reason due to your personal submission is stated, Kaplan Aspect will be unlikely to be able to assist you further. In most cases, the government’s decision is final and there is little Kaplan Aspect can do to change their decision. Can my student visa be extended if I need more time to study?Yes, if you would like to continue your studies with Kaplan Aspect, our Student Services will be glad to assist you with your Student Visa extension. You should notify Student Services of your plans to extend at least 4 weeks prior to your last day of study. What does New Zealand Immigration Services require in a bank statement?The bank statement/letter should show that you and/or your sponsor have enough funds to cover the cost of study. In addition, it must show that all funds are readily available without penalty for withdrawal. For this reason, statements from checking and/or savings accounts are best. Income statements, property deeds and other similar forms of investments are typically not acceptable. You can show funds through multiple accounts and/or multiple sponsors, if necessary. Do I have to show a bank statement on arrival even if I have paid?Kaplan Aspect recommends that all students arriving into the country carry with them proper documentation as stated on NZIS website: www.immigration.govt.nz. How much money do I need to show on my bank statement?New Zealand Immigration Service needs to see that you have sufficient funds to cover your living requirements while in New Zealand. If you have pre-arranged accommodation, your bank statement should show NZD 400 per month. If you do not have pre-arranged accommodation, your bank statement should show NZD 1000 per month. Can I change my start date after receiving my Student Visa?You can change your start date any time before entering N.Z. Simply contact Kaplan Aspect to confirm your new start date as soon as you know about the change. At that time, Kaplan Aspect will mail you a revised Letter of Acceptance to show new study dates. A failure to notify Kaplan Aspect about these changes can cause problems for you at the Port of Entry and/or New Zealand Embassy. If you want to begin before your start date, this is acceptable. Simply go to the school and let them know you want to start early. Can I change schools after receiving my Student Visa?You may change your school any time before you apply for your Student Visa at no additional charge. Kaplan Aspect has two schools to choose from in New Zealand, one in Auckland and one in Christchurch. Simply contact Kaplan Aspect to confirm the new location and a new Letter of Acceptance will be mailed to you for the new location. If your visa has been issued, you can change locations, but you will need to apply for a Variation of Conditions before arriving in N.Z. A Variation of Conditions will cost an additional fee. Please check with your New Zealand Embassy/Consulate regarding this fee. If the names do not match because you changed school locations after getting your visa, you may be denied entry to New Zealand. Can I enter New Zealand before or after my start date?The Student Visa issued to you by N.Z.I.S will notify you of the dates your Student Visa is valid. You should adhere to these dates. If you travel to N.Z. after your start date, you will probably face problems at the Port of Entry, since it appears you failed to meet the requirement of reporting to the school by your start date. To prevent problems at the Port of Entry, you should contact Kaplan Aspect and ask that we postpone your start date if you are unable to arrive before your start date. At that time, Kaplan Aspect will mail you a revised Letter of Acceptance with a postponed start date. What documents will I need to show at the Port of Entry?In general, you must show the Port of Entry Officer the following documents. If these documents are missing or incomplete, you may be detained, questioned or denied entry altogether: - A valid (non-expired) passport
- A valid (non-expired) Student Visa (if applicable)
- Bank statement
- Proof of outbound travel (if arriving on a visitor’s visa)
- Documents from Kaplan Aspect:
- - Letter of Acceptance
- Receipt
For more information checkout the NZIS website: www.immigration.govt.nz/migrant/settlementpack/onarrival/WhenYouArriveWhat are the study requirements at Kaplan Aspect?Students on a Student Visa must study full time. Full time study is 21 hours of English tuition per week (Intensive English, English for Business, IELTS Supplementary, Cambridge Exam preparation courses). If you do not meet Kaplan Aspect’s full time study requirements while studying with a Student Visa, Kaplan Aspect will be obliged to notify NZIS of your status and you risk falling out of legal status with NZIS. Can I work during my studies at Kaplan Aspect?Students with a valid visa may be able to work if they meet the following conditions: - Student Visa
- - You are enrolled on a full time course of 6 months or more
- You have an IELTS score of 5.0 or higher - Working Holiday Visa
- - You may work full time or part time for up to 3 months at one company (some select countries enable students to work longer than 3 months in one company. Please check this website: http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migrant/stream/work/workingholiday/
|