U6.1 Courses of study lasting longer than 3 months (24/03/2003)

Immigration Regulations 1999 Schedule 1 Parts 1 and 3

1. People who require a visa to visit New Zealand and who wish to come to New Zealand to study full time for a period longer than 3 months, must hold a student visa.
2. Potential students who are nationals of countries that are exempt from the need to obtain a temporary visa (see E2.1.5) may enter New Zealand as visitors and apply for a student permit after their arrival.

U6.1.1 Definition of ‘full time study’

1. For private training establishments full time study is generally considered to be enrolment in a course of study that requires attendance for a minimum of 20 hours per week. Any course of study of less than 20 hours per week is usually considered to be part-time (see U7.25).
2. For other tertiary educational institutions enrolment in at least 3 papers, or equivalent, per semester is indicative of full time study. If necessary, visa and immigration officers should confirm whether or not the proposed course of study could be considered to be full time or not by consulting the Ministry of Education, Wellington which has have a qualifications database and/or the institution itself.
3. The final decision on whether or not a student may be considered to be undertaking full time study rests with visa and immigration officers.

Effective 24/03/2003