If you plan to study at SIT as an international student, you will need to ensure you are on the appropriate visa. If you plan to study for less than 12 weeks, e.g. English language for 10 weeks, you may enter New Zealand on a visitor's visa. If you plan to study at SIT for longer than 12 weeks, you will need a student visa.
Student visa
A student visa from Immigration New Zealand means you can study with SIT in New Zealand for a set time period as a full-time student. You can find out more about student visas, advice on rights to employment while studying and reporting requirements from Immigration New Zealand
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Application timeframes
It is important to apply for your student visa as soon as possible, as in some cases the application process may take a number of weeks.
- For offshore applicants / outside of New Zealand: As indicated above, Immigration New Zealand have currently suspended accepting new offshore student visa applications until May 2021. Therefore, please do not submit a student visa application until you are advised to do so.
- For onshore applicants / already in New Zealand: Please process your student visa application as soon as you can. As an onshore student visa applicant, please remember to submit your international fee receipt with your student application to Immigration New Zealand.
How to apply
Go to the Immigration New Zealand website and follow all their instructions to apply for your Student Visa online.
You will need the following documents to apply:
- Offer of Place
- Receipt of tuition fees paid (if applying while in NZ)
- A recent bank statement showing balance of approximately $15,000 for a one-year visa or $1,250 per month of study for a shorter course. Your bank statement must state your name and your current address, show three months of your most recent transactions and be less than three days old.
- A valid passport
- Chest X-Ray Certificate (if applicable)
- Police Report from your home country (if applicable)
- Passport-sized photo – JPG file
- Evidence of return air ticket or sufficient funds to purchase one. (i.e. $1,000 to $1,500).
- $310 visa application fee (to be paid by credit or debit card)
Immigration New Zealand
Your responsibilities on a student visa
It is important you meet the conditions of your student visa. While in New Zealand it is your responsibility to keep this visa valid. If your visa expires, you could be asked to leave the country.
You must not start a course other than that stated on your visa without the permission of your institution and Immigration NZ. You must also advise Immigration NZ if you change your address or course of study, or if there is any other change in your circumstances.
Post-study Work Visa
If you are a SIT international student and have completed the qualification indicated on your student visa, you can apply for a Post-study work visa, provided the qualification meets the Immigration New Zealand requirements.
To apply online for a Post-study work visa, you will need the following documents:
- A recent New Zealand Bank statement showing a balance of approximately $4,200 for living expenses. Your bank statement must state your name and show three months of your most recent transactions.
- SIT qualification or course completion letter
- General Medical Certificate and Chest X-Ray Certificate (if applicable)
- Police Report from your home country (if applicable)
- $495 visa application fee (to be paid by credit or debit card)
- Passport-sized photo – JPG file
Insurance
Your travel and medical insurance is automatically covered when you enrol in a mainstream programme with SIT. Simply pay your fees, tell us when you will arrive, and we will book your insurance for you. If you are studying English language, you can pay a little extra for the same cover. Easy!
When you attend one of our international orientations, we will give you information on your insurance policy, including information on coverage, insurance policy number and how to claim.