New Zealand•Oceania5 months
750 NZD
Up to 4 years
Yes
Not Required
Allowed
No
Not Required
Fully-funded New Zealand study visa for MFAT or ENZ scholarship recipients, with a 2-year home-return obligation after study.
Administered by Immigration New Zealand, the NZ Government Scholarship Student Visa is for international scholars whose tuition and living costs are fully funded by an MFAT or Education New Zealand scholarship. It supports development cooperation by training high-potential candidates, mainly from the Pacific and developing Asia, at approved NZ education providers.
The visa permits full-time study for up to 4 years, plus part-time work of up to 25 hours per week and full-time work in holidays. The application fee starts at NZD 750 and 80% of applications are decided within 5 months. Partners and dependents must apply separately, though partners are often eligible for a work visa. Holders must return home for 2 years after the scholarship.
This visa is ideal for MFAT or ENZ scholarship recipients from developing countries pursuing full-time study in New Zealand with intent to return home and apply their new skills.
Visas you can typically switch to from this status.
Be offered a place on a course by an approved New Zealand education provider (or be a returning student with confirmation of enrolment)
Have tuition fees and living costs paid by an MFAT-funded New Zealand scholarship or one administered by Education New Zealand
Be in good health (medical exam or chest X-ray may be required for stays over 6-12 months)
Be of good character (police certificates may be required if aged 17+ and total time in NZ is 24+ months)
Have a genuine reason for coming to New Zealand and credible plans to leave at the end of stay
Commit to returning to home country for at least 2 years after completing the scholarship (1 year for some short-term scholarships)
If already on a student visa, demonstrate course performance, progress and attendance
Education
high_school or higher
Passport copy (valid for at least 3 months beyond planned departure) or one acceptable photo
Evidence of an offer of place from an approved education provider, including course name, duration, mode of study, and scheduled holidays
Education provider's signed declaration that the programme suits the applicant and they have English and academic capability
Documents confirming that the MFAT-funded New Zealand scholarship will cover tuition fees and living costs
Evidence that practical work experience (if any) is a required part of the course (course outline or provider letter)
Evidence of student performance, progress and attendance if currently holding a student visa (transcripts, attendance records, provider letter)
Chest X-ray certificate if staying more than 6 months and required by TB-incidence rules
Medical examination evidence if staying more than 12 months or otherwise requested
Police certificates if aged 17 or older and total time in New Zealand will be 24 months or longer
Evidence of a ticket out of New Zealand, funds to buy one, or MFAT confirmation that return travel is covered
Certified English translations of any non-English supporting documents
| Online student visa application (Immigration Online) Mandatory online application form submitted through Immigration New Zealand's Immigration Online portal; paper applications are no longer accepted. | Fill online |
| Financial Undertaking for a Student (INZ 1014)Optional Optional financial undertaking form used to evidence maintenance funds; not normally required where MFAT provides full-funding notice, but may be requested in some cases. | Fill online |
| Sponsorship Form for Temporary Entry (INZ 1025)Optional Optional sponsorship form used where a third party (organisation, government agency, or individual) sponsors the applicant; usually not needed for MFAT-funded scholars whose costs are met by the scholarship. | Fill online |
| Application Steps | Apply for and be awarded an MFAT-funded New Zealand scholarship via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs … | immigration.govt.nz |
| Dependent Visa | true | immigration.govt.nz |
| Discontinued | false | immigration.govt.nz |
| Dual Intent | false | immigration.govt.nz |
| Fee Breakdown | Application fee: 750 NZD | immigration.govt.nz |
| Fees | From NZD 750 (application fee) | immigration.govt.nz |
| Forms | Online student visa application (Immigration Online); Financial Undertaking for a Student (INZ 1014)… | immigration.govt.nz |
| Job Offer Required | false | immigration.govt.nz |
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