New Zealand•OceaniaU3.10 — Exchange Student Visa
At a Glance
5 weeks
NZD $750
Up to 4 years
Not renewable
Renewal
Not renewable
Family
Not specified
PR Pathway
None
Sponsor
No job offer needed
Work
Remote not required
Overview
Up-to-4-year New Zealand student visa for participants in approved school, EPO, or tertiary exchange schemes — no tuition payable.
Issued by Immigration New Zealand under the Immigration Act 2009, the Exchange Student Visa lets international students accepted into an approved exchange scheme — school-to-school, exchange programme organisation, or tertiary exchange — study full-time in New Zealand without paying tuition, as part of a recognised cultural-academic exchange.
The visa costs NZD 750 and processes 80% within 3 weeks, with stays of up to 4 years tied to the exchange length. Tertiary exchange students may work up to 25 hours per week during term and full-time in scheduled holidays where the course is worth 120 credits. Applicants must apply online from outside New Zealand, prove sufficient funds, and meet health and character standards.
This visa is ideal for secondary or tertiary students placed in an approved New Zealand exchange scheme who want immersive cultural study without tuition costs.
Cost Breakdown
Requirements
PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS
Accepted into an approved student exchange scheme.
Offer of place from an approved New Zealand education provider, or a letter from an exchange programme organisation confirming you are an exchange student.
Outside New Zealand at the time of application.
Meet health requirements (chest X-ray if staying over 6 months from a non-low-incidence TB country; medical certificate if staying over 12 months).
Meet character requirements (police certificates required if total NZ stay will be 24 months or longer and you are 17+).
Genuine reason for coming to New Zealand and genuine intent to leave at end of stay.
Evidence of sufficient funds, or an acceptable sponsor or guarantor (Financial Undertaking).
Evidence of outward travel arrangements (ticket or funds for one).
Written permission to work from the education provider, EPO, and parents/guardian if aged 16-17 and study includes work rights.
KEY CRITERIA
Education
high_school or higher
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Valid passport or certificate of identity.
One acceptable passport-sized photograph.
Evidence of an offer of place from an approved education provider.
Letter from the exchange programme organisation confirming acceptance.
Evidence of sufficient funds to live on while in New Zealand.
Evidence of outward travel (ticket or funds to purchase one).
Medical and chest X-ray certificates (if required).
Police certificates (if required).
Advantages & Considerations
Key Benefits
- No tuition fees — student is treated as an approved exchange participant, not a fee-paying enrolment.
- Stay up to 4 years, matching the length of the approved exchange scheme.
- Tertiary exchange students may work up to 25 hours/week during term.
- Full-time work allowed in scheduled holidays when the course is worth 120 credits.
- All-online application via Immigration Online with real-time status tracking.
- Partners can apply separately for a work visa after arrival, subject to standard criteria.
- Processing is fast — 80% of applications decided within 3 weeks.
Worth Knowing
- Must apply from outside New Zealand; onshore grants only in special circumstances.
- Under-18 students at secondary school need written work permission from school, EPO, and parents.
- Students aged 15 or younger cannot work on this visa.
- Health checks (X-ray over 6 months, medical over 12) and police certificates (24+ month stays) may be required.
- Study Abroad programmes are not qualifying — those students must apply for the Fee Paying Student Visa instead.
- No path to permanent residency from this visa — purely a temporary exchange category.
- Closed to Study Abroad and fee-paying students, and to onshore applicants except in special circumstances.
Application Process
Secure an offer of place from an approved New Zealand education provider (or an exchange programme organisation letter).
Confirm acceptance into an approved student exchange scheme (school-to-school, EPO, or tertiary).
Gather required documents
passport, photo, evidence of funds, outward-travel evidence, and (if applicable) medical/X-ray and police certificates.
Create a RealMe account and complete the online student visa application via Immigration Online (paper applications no longer accepted as of 18 August 2025).
Pay the NZD 750 application fee and immigration levy online.
Submit from outside New Zealand and track status via Immigration Online; apply about 3 months before travel.
Related visas
More visas in New Zealand
Study visas in other countries
- Studies (Studium)
Germany
- Student Visa (Type D)
France
- Study Visa
Papua New Guinea
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