New Zealand, along with its lively cities, uncrowded space, and friendly people offers modern-day infrastructural facilities and ample job opportunities. It has become a world-acclaimed destination for higher education, especially for students from the Asian subcontinent. New Zealand has an organised education system suitable for international students pursuing their higher education.
Types of student visas for New Zealand
If you are over 18 years and plan to study in New Zealand for more than six months, here’s an overview of the types of student visas available for you:
S.No.
Types of student visa
Description
1
Fee-Paying Student Visa
Study full-time for up to four years and be able to work part-time
2
Exchange Student Visa
Study full-time for up to four years for an approved student exchange program
3
Foreign Government Supported Student Visa
Study full-time for up to four years on a foreign government loan or scholarship
4
Pathway Student Visa
Study up to five years for 3 consecutive courses on a single student visa and be able to work part-time 
5
Post-Study Work visa
After completing your course at a Kiwi university, you may apply for a post-study work visa. This visa lasts for 1, 2 or 3 years, depending on the level of your qualification.
As an Indian student, you would most commonly require a Fee-Paying Student visa. 
While studying in New Zealand, it’s important to maintain your Fee-Paying student status. This status relates to the purpose, or reason why you came to New Zealand. 
Documentation required for New Zealand’s fee-paying student visa
To apply for a student visa to New Zealand, you will generally need:
  • An offer from the Kiwi universities. Also, if you are applying for pathways courses, you need to provide a Pathway student visa cover letter approved by the Pathway education provider.
  • Evidence of paying the tuition fee.
  • Proof of the income and the source of income.
  • Photocopy of the Identity pages of the recent passport.
  • Character certificate validated by the police
  • Health certificate to show you are healthy
Some additional documentation may include:
  1. Qualification certificates, academic, transcripts
  2. Proof of employment history
  3. Proof that you have enough funds to support yourself
  4. Information about your financial guarantor (Identity and relationship)
  5. English language proficiency test (such as IELTS) scores
  6. Aadhar or Pan card
You may also have to show evidence that you have sufficient funds to cover your living expenses throughout your stay. You will need to show you have NZ$ 20,000 for a full year of study or NZ$ 1,250 per month*. This may include:
  • A scholarship program
  • Bank statements
  • Financial undertaking by a sponsor to cover accommodation and living costs
  • Evidence that you are leaving New Zealand after the completion of your course. This can be in the form of flight tickets, however, it is optional
  • A police certificate if you are aged 17 years or over and plan to study for more than 24 months. A police certificate is a document which that is used as evidence of good character
  • An X-ray certificate – you will need to have a chest x-ray if you are staying in New Zealand for more than six months, or if you’re a citizen of a country with a relatively high incidence of tuberculosis, or if you’ve spent more than three months in the last five years in a country with a relatively high incidence of tuberculosis
  • Full medical examination
You may also have to appear for a personal interview at the New Zealand embassy or consulate.  
Applying for your New Zealand Student Visa online
You’ll have to apply for your student visa application online using the New Zealand Immigration website. You can apply up to 120 days before your intended date of program’s start date. Remember, your application date is the date when your application fee is paid.