U3.40 Students who wish to change their course of study and/or education provider (02/02/2011)

See also Immigration Act 2009 ss 49, 52, 56

1. A further student visa or variation of conditions, for the purpose of changing course and/or education provider, will only be granted if an immigration officer is satisfied that:
   1. the applicant meets the student requirements set out at U3.1; and
   2. the applicant has not breached their visa conditions as set out at E3.20; and
   3. the original student visa would have been granted for the proposed course and/or education provider; and
   4. the applicant remains a bona fide applicant (see E5.1).
2. Factors that an immigration officer may take into consideration when determining (a)(iii) and (a)(iv) above include, but are not limited to:
   1. the time elapsed since the original visa was granted;
   2. whether the level and/or subject area of the proposed course are significantly different from the original course; and
   3. any relevant information held about the previous application(s) including advice from the original issuing branch (see E7.1.1).
3. Applicants who have received New Zealand Aid Programme funding within the two years prior to their application to change course and/or education provider being made, must also provide evidence that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade supports the change of course or education provider and that any scholarship continues.
4. Applicants who wish to change their course and/or education provider may provide evidence of payment of course fees after the application has been approved in principle.

Effective 07/02/2011