An offshore student visa is the type of visa you apply for from your home country (or another country outside New Zealand) that lets you come to New Zealand to study full-time. The Fee Paying Student Visa lets you move to New Zealand to study for a qualification that’s recognized worldwide and enjoy a great experience here. You apply for this offshore student visa from your home country, pay all your course fees in advance, and enroll with a government-approved education provider.

With this visa, you study full-time in the course named on your visa—whether that’s school, tertiary study (after high school), or English language classes. You’re allowed to work up to 20 hours per week during term time and full-time over holidays, as long as you follow your visa rules.


Get a personalised visa checklist by contacting us. If you want to bring your partner or children, they can apply for visas based on their relationship to you. Your student visa usually lasts for the same length as your paid study programme.