Although a New Zealand student visa might not be the most sought-after by Nigerian students, the academic and career opportunities it offers are vast and promising.
With a New Zealand student visa, Nigerian students can study in New Zealand for up to four years. To be eligible, students must enroll with an authorized education provider and pay for their courses.
This visa is also available to correspondence or distance learning students studying outside of New Zealand who need to enter the country for more than three months for exams or practical study.
For those who are old enough, the student visa allows for independent living and part-time work in New Zealand.
New Zealand provides international students with numerous opportunities, which we will explore in this article.
So, if you haven’t considered the home of the Kiwis as your academic destination, this is your wake-up call!
Brief History About New Zealand
According to Wikipedia, New Zealand is an island in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main landmasses—the North Island (Te Ika-a-Māui) and the South Island (Te Waipounamu)—and over 700 smaller islands.
It is the sixth-largest island country by area and lies east of Australia across the Tasman Sea and south of the islands of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga.
The country’s varied topography and sharp mountain peaks, including the Southern Alps, owe much to tectonic uplift and volcanic eruptions. New Zealand’s capital city is Wellington, and its most populous city is Auckland.
The islands of New Zealand were the last large habitable land to be settled by humans. Between 1280 and 1350, Polynesians began settling in the islands and subsequently developed a distinctive Māori culture. In 1642, the Dutch explorer Abel Tasman became the first European to sight and record New Zealand.
In 1769 the British explorer Captain James Cook became the first European to set foot on and map New Zealand. In 1840, representatives of the United Kingdom and Māori chiefs signed the Treaty of Waitangi, which paved the way for Britain’s declaration of sovereignty later that year and the establishment of the Crown Colony of New Zealand in 1841.
Subsequently, conflicts between the colonial government and Māori tribes resulted in the alienation and confiscation of large amounts of Māori land. New Zealand became a dominion in 1907; it gained full statutory independence in 1947, retaining the monarch as head of state.
Today, most of New Zealand’s population of 5.25 million is of European descent; the indigenous Māori are the largest minority, followed by Asians and Pasifika. Reflecting this, New Zealand’s culture is mainly derived from Māori and early British settlers, with the recent broadening of culture arising from increased immigration.
The official languages are English, Māori, and New Zealand Sign Language, with the dominant local English dialect.
What is Needed for a New Zealand Visa?
Do you intend to visit New Zealand as a Nigerian? A visa is required. Having this document is essential to entering the nation. The following are the essentials for your visa:
- A current Nigerian passport with over three months remaining on it.
- Copies of your travel documents.
- Evidence of sound health and morality.
- Evidence of sufficient funds for your stay.
- Proof that you intend to go back to Nigeria.
- A marriage certificate if we’re married. Birth certificates for minors.
While you are here you might want to look at the 13 Online Colleges in Alaska for International Students | 2024. With these courses, you do not have to worry about getting a student visa.
How to Apply for a Visa to New Zealand
It’s easy to apply for a visa to New Zealand. Take these actions:
- Visit the immigration website for New Zealand.
- Register and complete the information.
- Send in your paperwork and application.
- Make payment for your visa application.
- Print the form and bring it to the Visa Application Center.
- The eTA for New Zealand
Visiting New Zealand is made simple with the New Zealand eTA. The online method is quick. Citizens of Nigeria are eligible to apply. Your passport and personal information are required.
Which Documents are Required for a New Zealand Student Visa?
The most important component of any visa application is documentary proof. Nigerian students seeking to study in New Zealand must prepare themselves with many documents, each of which attests to a different aspect of their eligibility.
The prerequisites for studying in New Zealand are extensive yet essential. They range from financial records demonstrating your ability to support yourself to academic records demonstrating your commitment as a student.
To apply for a student visa to New Zealand, you need to supply the following documents:
- Proof of your identification.
- Indications of excellent health
- Proof of moral rectitude.
- Placement offer from an educational institution.
- Proof that you have enough money to cover your tuition.
- Insurance for health and travel.
- Proof that you are fulfilling the prerequisites for your degree.
- Proof that you have enough money to live in New Zealand.
- Proof of a ticket for further travel.
- Authorization to work, if any.
- Proof that your parent or legal guardian is escorting you, if applicable.
- Details regarding your course and vacation.
- Proof that you are taking classes and passing your course.
While trying to secure your student visa, you should check to see if your school accepts pregnant students.
New Zealand Student Visa Processing Time
International student visa applications in New Zealand are processed in an average of 30 to 90 days.
Estimates are based on three months’ worth of data. In 32 days, 50% of applications are processed.
How to Apply For New Zealand student visa from Nigeria
To apply for a student visa to New Zealand on paper, you need to do the following steps:
#1. Complete the Student visa paper application:
The paper application for a student visa must be completed. You must complete the Student Visa Application (INZ 1012) to apply for a student visa to New Zealand. In section F, you must clearly state that you are requesting a New Zealand student visa. Attack a photo to the application, and write your name on the back.
#2. Book an appointment at a visa application office:
An appointment must be made at the visa application office. You need to make an appointment at a visa application center to submit your documents for processing.
Global allows you to schedule an appointment for the closest country with one. Once your appointment is booked, you will receive an email confirming it.
#3. Submit your documents for a New Zealand Student visa:
To obtain a New Zealand student visa, you must submit your documentation. You must bring all the paperwork needed for a student visa to New Zealand to the appointment. You should come to the appointment fifteen minutes ahead of time. There can only be one rescheduling.
New Zealand isn’t the only place you can study as a Nigerian student; there are other excellent countries like Germany, and here is our List of Tuition-Free Public Universities in Germany for International Students | 2024.
#4. Pay the fees for a New Zealand Student visa:
The cost of obtaining a student visa for New Zealand is payable. You can pay when you attend the appointment using a Mastercard, Visa, or cash. It can be returned if you don’t have enough money on the day you submit your application.
#5. You must track your NZ Student visa application:
Follow up on your application for a student visa to New Zealand. Once Immigration New Zealand has processed your visa application, you will receive an email.
By receiving SMSs on your phone, you can remain informed on the status of your return courier.
What Are the Fees for a New Zealand Student Visa?
You must pay the following fees to apply for an NZ Student visa:
| Application Fee | Visa Application Center Fee | Courier Fee | |
| Online Application | NZD $430 | – | – |
| Paper Application | NZD $440 — $ 485 | NZD $ 46 — $ 77 | NZD $ 13 — $ 100 |
In most cases, the fees for a New Zealand visa are non-refundable.
How Much Bank Balance is Required for a New Zealand Student Visa?
Evidence of completing NZD 20,000 in university, English language, or other non-obligatory schooling each year, or $1,667 monthly if the study period is less than a year.
Should you be enrolled in a school for compulsory education (years 1 through 13), your annual budget will be NZD 17,000, or $1,417 per month.
Kentucky is a state in the southeast that shares borders with the Appalachian Mountains to the east and the Ohio River to the north. Frankfort serves as its capital, and it’s home to thousands of international students. Here are the 15 Online Colleges in Kentucky for International Students.
What is the New Zealand Student Visa Acceptance Rate?
New Zealand students visa is highly sought after world worldwide however, they cannot accept every application for a lot of reasons, and below are the current acceptance rates.
Overall, approvals have gone from 85% to nearly 88%. For international students, the increase is even more impressive, rising from 62% to a promising 84%. The New Zealand student visa rejection rate varies.
Age limit for student visas in New Zealand
No age restrictions are attached to getting a student visa in New Zealand. This is because the country’s education system is open to undergraduates, postgraduate students, and high school students.
However, students looking for New Zealand student visas who are not up to 18 years old must have written permission from their parents or guardians to be considered.
Frequently Asked Question
Is there any interview for a New Zealand student visa?
International students must participate in a phone interview after submitting their application for a student visa to New Zealand with all relevant paperwork. The interview for a New Zealand student visa is meant to determine whether or not you want to study there.
Is it difficult to get a New Zealand student visa?
One of the world’s most challenging visa application processes is in New Zealand. Getting non-tourist visas—like those for students—for Canada, Australia, and several other nations is similarly tricky.
Do we need IElTS for a New Zealand study visa?
To be eligible for a New Zealand student visa, students must receive a minimum score of 6.0 overall for undergraduate programs and at least 5.5 in each of the four IELTS bands. Conversely, graduate courses demand an overall IELTS score of 6.5 or above and a minimum score of 6.0 in each band.
Conclusion
If you are old enough, you can live independently and work part-time in New Zealand once granted a student visa. As long as you follow the guidelines in your visa, you can work up to 20 hours a week as a part-time worker while you study, or you can work full-time during the holidays.
These and a few other reasons are why you should consider getting a New Zealand student visa.
References
- New Zealand Student Visa – visaguide.world
- New Zealand Visa Requirements for Nigerian Citizens – tucnigeria.or
- en.wikipedia.org – New Zealand