Student Visa
International students need a student visa to study in New Zealand.
International students must enrol for a full-time programme of study as a condition of their student visa and remain enrolled full-time (ie, Immigration New Zealand requires a minimum of three full-time papers per semester or equivalent). Students must not drop to part-time when completing a change of enrolment.
Exceptions can be made by Immigration New Zealand (INZ) if you are attempting to finish a degree with just one or two papers. The University is obliged to notify INZ if a student drops to part-time or completely discontinues
Full details of Student Visa requirements, advice on rights to employment in New Zealand while studying, and reporting requirements are available through Immigration New Zealand.
Apply for Student Visa on Campus
The University of Canterbury is accredited with the Immigration NZ as a Students Online partner. If you are already in New Zealand you can apply for your student visa on campus if you meet the following requirements:
- your Application to Enrol, including your award and all courses, have been approved
- other requirements as stated in the International student enrolment documents (PDF, 123KB) must be completed.
- your current visa has not expired when you make your visa application.
- enrolment fees must be paid in full before a visa application can be processed and sent to Immigration New Zealand.
Please note these additional document requirements for visa applications on campus:
- Bank statements showing cash deposits
- Further information for Scholarship students applying for a student visa on campus
Online students visa application fee $95.00 will be added to your fees.
Contact: student-visa@canterbury.ac.nz if you have questions about applying for Student Visa on Campus.
Apply for Student Visa out of New Zealand
(or directly with local Immigration New Zealand branch in New Zealand)
To apply for a student visa before travelling to New Zealand please refer to Immigration New Zealand website for information how to apply and what is required.
When your application for admission is approved the University of Canterbury will send you an Offer of Place letter you can use for your visa application.
To show that you have paid the course fees you can pre-pay your estimated fees to the University of Canterbury, please see How to Pay in the Enrol at UC website.
Offer of Place at the University does not guarantee that the Immigration Service will issue you a student visa.
Contact Immigration New Zealand if you have questions about applying for Student Visa on with Immigration New Zealand.
If possible, you should try to apply for your student visa by the end of September in the year before enrolment.
Graduate Job Search Work Visa
For information on what you will to have a Graduate job search Work Visa processed on campus please see Graduate Job Search Work Visa.
Application Fees – refer to Immigration New Zealand website.