Move to New Zealand
Space, nature and a skilled-migrant system
Visas and permits
Ways to move
New Zealand Fee Paying Student Visa
This visa lets you study full-time with an approved New Zealand education provider for up to four years. Your tuition fees may be paid by you or with support from family, a loan or a partial scholarship.
- Fee
- $485 per person
- Decision
- About 8 weeks
New Zealand Post-Study Work Visa
This visa lets eligible people work in New Zealand after studying there. It lasts up to 3 years, depending on the qualification and time spent studying.
- Fee
- $320 per person
- Decision
- —
New Zealand Accredited Employer Work Visa
This visa lets you work in New Zealand in the job, for the employer and at the location stated on your visa. It can allow a stay of up to five years, depending on the job and other visa conditions. ([immigration.govt.nz](https://www.immigration.govt.nz/visas/accredited-employer-work-visa))
- Fee
- $480 once
- Decision
- —
New Zealand arts, culture and sports talent work visa
This visa lets people with exceptional talent in art, culture or sport stay in New Zealand for up to 30 months. It can provide a pathway to residence after two years of active involvement in their field in New Zealand.
- Fee
- $570 per person
- Decision
- About 7 weeks
New Zealand care workforce work-to-residence visa
This resident visa is for people who have completed 24 months of eligible work in New Zealand and have a qualifying care workforce job or job offer. It lets holders live, work and study in New Zealand indefinitely.
- Fee
- $6,450 once
- Decision
- —
New Zealand Permanent Resident Visa
This visa lets eligible resident visa holders live, work and study in New Zealand indefinitely, and travel in and out of the country. It is not an initial residence visa.
- Fee
- $315 once
- Decision
- About 2 weeks
New Zealand Skilled Migrant Category resident visa
This visa lets eligible skilled migrants live, work and study in New Zealand indefinitely. Applicants must have a skilled job or job offer from an accredited employer and qualify under one of three pathways.
- Fee
- $2,880 once
- Decision
- —
New Zealand Straight to Residence visa
This resident visa lets you live, work and study in New Zealand indefinitely if you have an eligible Tier 1 Green List job or job offer with an accredited employer. You can apply from outside New Zealand. ([immigration.govt.nz](https://www.immigration.govt.nz/visas/straight-to-residence-visa))
- Fee
- $2,880 once
- Decision
- —
New Zealand Work to Residence Visa
This resident visa is for people who have completed 24 months of eligible work in New Zealand and have a Green List Tier 2 job or job offer with an accredited employer. It lets holders live, work and study in New Zealand indefinitely.
- Fee
- $2,880 once
- Decision
- About 8 weeks
Funded study
Open scholarships
University of Auckland India High Achievers Scholarship
University of Auckland
25% of one year of tuition fees.
University of Auckland Indonesia High Achievers Scholarship
University of Auckland
25% of one year of tuition fees.
University of Auckland International Student Excellence Scholarship
University of Auckland
25% of one year of tuition fees.
Money
What it costs
Living costs month in Auckland
Student budget including accommodation, food, transport, utilities and personal expenses.idp.com · checked 5 days agoSource$2,550 to $4,400 a month
Living costs month in Christchurch
Student budget with shared accommodation, food, transport, utilities and personal expenses.idp.com · checked 5 days agoSource$1,300 to $2,200 a month
Living costs
Money you show, not spend.Living funds for compulsory school education, if paying for yourself.immigration.govt.nz · checked 5 days agoSource$1,417 a month
Proof of funds (students)
Money you show, not spend.Living funds for compulsory school education, if paying for yourself.Researched just now · being double-checkedSource$17,000 a year
Proof of funds work
Money you show, not spend.Minimum living funds for the post-study work visa stay.Researched just now · being double-checkedSource$5,000
Rent in Auckland
Private one-bedroom apartment; already included in a living-cost budget if applicable.idp.com · checked 5 days agoSource$1,600 to $2,500 a month
Rent in Christchurch
Shared accommodation; already included in the living-cost budget.idp.com · checked 5 days agoSource$600 to $1,000 a month
Tuition, postgraduate
Indicative international postgraduate tuition; medicine and veterinary science may cost more. National guide, not a public-university-only range.Researched just now · being double-checkedSource$20,000 to $45,000 a year
Tuition, undergraduate
Indicative international bachelor's tuition; medicine and veterinary science may cost more. National guide, not a public-university-only range.studywithnewzealand.govt.nz · checked 5 days agoSource$35,000 to $55,000 a year
Visa fee graduate
Published starting visa cost.immigration.govt.nz · checked 5 days agoSource$1,670
Visa fee pr
Published starting resident-visa cost.Researched just now · being double-checkedSource$6,450
Visa fee pr
Published starting resident-visa cost.Researched just now · being double-checkedSource$6,450
Visa fee pr
Published starting resident-visa cost.Researched just now · being double-checkedSource$6,450
Visa fee pr
Published resident-visa cost.Researched just now · being double-checkedSource$6,450
Visa fee pr
Published starting cost after holding a resident visa.immigration.govt.nz · checked 5 days agoSource$315
Student visa fee
Published starting visa cost; actual cost can depend on circumstances.Researched just now · being double-checkedSource$850
Visa fee talent
Published starting visa cost.immigration.govt.nz · checked 5 days agoSource$1,630
Work visa fee
Published starting visa cost.immigration.govt.nz · checked 5 days agoSource$1,540
What changed
Recent rule changes
28 Sept
New Zealand updates Active Investor Plus investment rules
These changes concern investments under the Active Investor Plus Visa, not study or work visa requirements. If you are considering this investor route, the investments available to you may be affected. Check the new application guidance on the Invest NZ website from 28 September 2026.
immigration.govt.nz · checked 4 days agoSource
Questions
Moving to New Zealand, answered
What visas can I use to move to New Zealand?
Japper tracks 9 routes to New Zealand: New Zealand Fee Paying Student Visa, New Zealand Post-Study Work Visa, New Zealand Accredited Employer Work Visa, New Zealand arts, culture and sports talent work visa, New Zealand care workforce work-to-residence visa, New Zealand Permanent Resident Visa, New Zealand Skilled Migrant Category resident visa, New Zealand Straight to Residence visa, New Zealand Work to Residence Visa. Each has its requirements, fees and decision time on its own page, from official sources.
How much does the New Zealand Fee Paying Student Visa cost?
The student visa application fee, band c (outside new zealand, rest of world; fee waivers may apply) is $485 per person, according to immigration.govt.nz (checked 2 October 2026). Other costs, like tuition and money to show, are listed on this page.
How long does a New Zealand Fee Paying Student Visa take?
About 8 weeks. The Fee Paying Student Visa page says 80% are processed within eight weeks; this is not a guarantee or a figure stated specifically for applications from outside New Zealand. The separate student visa wait-times page reports different times by education-provider type, combines several student visa c.
Are there scholarships for international students in New Zealand?
Yes. Japper lists 14 open scholarships in New Zealand right now, including University of Auckland India High Achievers Scholarship, University of Auckland Indonesia High Achievers Scholarship, University of Auckland International Student Excellence Scholarship. Each links to its official page.
How we know
Sources
Every fact on this page comes from one of these, and shows when it was last checked. Routes were last checked on 2 October 2026.
- English language requirements for an Accredited Employer Work Visa :: Immigration New Zealandimmigration.govt.nzOfficial
- Resident visa wait times :: Immigration New Zealandimmigration.govt.nzOfficial
- Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa » Immigration New Zealandimmigration.govt.nzOfficial
- Care Workforce Work to Residence Visa » Immigration New Zealandimmigration.govt.nzOfficial
- INZ 1028 Fees Guideimmigration.govt.nzOfficial
- English language requirements for skilled residence visas :: Immigration New Zealandimmigration.govt.nzOfficial
- The SMC wage threshold :: Immigration New Zealandimmigration.govt.nzOfficial
- Tuition fees and cost of living | Study with New Zealandstudywithnewzealand.govt.nzOfficial
- Fee Paying Student Visa » Immigration New Zealandimmigration.govt.nzOfficial
- Post-Study Work Visa » Immigration New Zealandimmigration.govt.nzOfficial
- Accredited Employer Work Visa » Immigration New Zealandimmigration.govt.nzOfficial
- Talent (Arts, Culture, Sports) Work Visa » Immigration New Zealandimmigration.govt.nzOfficial
- Work to Residence Visa » Immigration New Zealandimmigration.govt.nzOfficial
- Permanent Resident Visa » Immigration New Zealandimmigration.govt.nzOfficial
- immigration.govt.nz/process-to-apply/waiting-for-a-visa/processing-a-…Official
- Work visa wage rates :: Immigration New Zealandimmigration.govt.nzOfficial
- How long you can stay on an AEWV :: Immigration New Zealandimmigration.govt.nzOfficial
- Employer accreditation, job check and AEWV wait times :: Immigration New Zealandimmigration.govt.nzOfficial
- Paying the International Visitor Levy :: Immigration New Zealandimmigration.govt.nzOfficial
- Showing your commitment to New Zealand for permanent residence :: Immigration New Zealandimmigration.govt.nzOfficial
- immigration.govt.nz/work/requirements-for-work-visas/green-list-occup…Official
- Red and Amber List occupations :: Immigration New Zealandimmigration.govt.nzOfficial
- Straight to Residence Visa » Immigration New Zealandimmigration.govt.nzOfficial
- Green List pathway to residence :: Immigration New Zealandimmigration.govt.nzOfficial
- SR6.15 Requirements for 24 months of work in New Zealand in a Care Workforce sector roleimmigration.govt.nzOfficial
- SR6.10 Acceptable employment in a Care Workforce sector roleimmigration.govt.nzOfficial
- Care workforce and transport sector pathway to residence :: Immigration New Zealandimmigration.govt.nzOfficial
- Living in Auckland: Costs, rent and real-life city guide | IDP Educationidp.comReputable
- Living in Christchurch: Costs, rent and lifestyle guide | IDP Educationidp.comReputable
- University of Auckland International Student Excellence Scholarship – University of Aucklandauckland.ac.nzInstitution
- University of Auckland India High Achievers Scholarship – University of Aucklandauckland.ac.nzInstitution
- University of Auckland Indonesia High Achievers Scholarship – University of Aucklandauckland.ac.nzInstitution
- Active Investor Plus: new managed fund requirements from 28 Septemberimmigration.govt.nzOfficial
Find your way to New Zealand
Answer a few quick questions and see the routes, scholarships and jobs that fit you, with the steps to get there.
Japper is an AI immigration assistant. It gives general information from official sources, not legal advice, and it can be wrong. For your own case, ask a licensed advisor.
