We are changing the way we allocate international student visa applications from students in New Zealand, so we have more flexibility and can process these more efficiently during this summer processing peak.

We are committed to improving international student visa processing times, as we know how important this is to our customers.

For applications submitted in New Zealand, Immigration New Zealand (INZ) will prioritise visa applications from students who are in New Zealand and applying for a second or subsequent international student visa, with a new provider or for a different course. This is because students changing course and/or provider must be granted a visa with their new study conditions before they are permitted to start.

Even if an application is allocated first, it does not mean it will be decided in that order.

Visa processing times for international students

INZ will continue to process other international student visa applications in date order.

Include all the relevant information

The quality and completeness of any application has a direct impact on how long it takes for the application to be decided.

Students must submit all the information needed when they apply. Our student visa information sheets have more information on what to include with a student visa application.

Due to the high volume of visa applications that we receive during the peak summer months we are not able to contact students before allocation if documents are missing from their visa application. If information that we need to assess an application is missing, the application may be declined.

Students who are applying for a student visa from within New Zealand, must include their tuition fee receipt upfront, or their application may be declined.

Student visa information