Immigration New Zealand (INZ) receives the highest volume of student visa applications over the summer period as students ready for studying in the new calendar year. Applications take longer to be decided during this peak period, so it is important that anyone who is wanting to come to New Zealand to study in early 2025 applies in good time.

In 2023, we advised students to apply at least 4 months ahead of their intended travel date if they could do so. However, 40 percent of student applications from our 2 main markets of India and China were submitted within 6 weeks of their intended travel dates, and 6 percent of those were submitted just 1 week or less before travel. INZ is calling on the education sector to encourage students to apply early this year.

INZ’s Director Student Visa Celia Coombes says leaving an application too late can mean students miss out.

“We strongly encourage students to get their applications in 3 months prior to their intended travel dates. It is important you make sure you have all the required documents and meet our thorough funds assessment in your application."

“Not having your application in early with all the required documents, including a valid Offer of Place, means you might not be able to start your intended course and can be incredibly disappointing,” Ms Coombes says.

To ensure you have all the information you need, check our student visa information sheets.

Information for students

Our visa processing times are published on our website and are updated monthly.

Visa processing times for international students

Media contact: media@mbie.govt.nz