Self-Processed Visa - Destination New Zealand

Overview

Selecting the Self-Processed Visa option means you agree to follow Adventus’ verification requirements. This includes collection and completion of the following which must be provided to Adventus:

• Accurate, complete and correct documentation - including immigration history and financial metrics

• Evidence of visa lodgement and visa outcome letter

• Acknowledgement of sighted genuine document originals

Refer to https://www.immigration.govt.nz/documents/forms-and-guides/inz1013.pdf for information about the online visa process.

Processing Times

You must apply online.

Processing can take on average 18 - 47 working days depending on the complexity of the visa application.

For India, 90% of applications are processed in 48 to 72 working days.

Visa Fee

Refer to https://www.immigration.govt.nz/new-zealand-visas/preparing-a-visa-application/the-application-pr ocess/office-and-fees-finder for current fees (and processing times) for your student’s location.

Visa Payment

Payment for visa applications is made directly through New Zealand’s visa portal. Only card payments are possible.

Gather Documents

You must gather all documents for the visa application including:

• Immigration history

• Proof of financial support. Your student must provide evidence that they have enough money to live on while they’re studying in New Zealand. Evidence can include:

  • Proof that they have NZD $20,000 per year of tertiary, English language, or other non-compulsory school study or $1,667 per month if study will be shorter than 1 year. If studying in compulsory education (years 1-13 at a school), they will need NZD $17,000 per year or $1,417 per month

  • Documents that show your student’s living costs have been paid — for example, for a school homestay where they will live with a local family while they study

  • A 'Sponsorship Form for Temporary Entry' completed by an acceptable sponsor

  • A completed 'Financial Undertaking for a Student' form.

• Evidence of 6 months of financial history - recent land sales or vehicle sales are not acceptable

• Sponsorship forms and financial undertaking - including ID proofs. If the sponsor is parents, a signed consent form must be provided.

• Handwritten letter of explanation explaining why the student wants to study in New Zealand and that they understand their responsibilities as a student.

• Unconditional Offer Letter from the institution - this must be signed by the institution and your student (If applicable)

• Evidence your student has sufficient funds to pay the tuition fees. (Funds must be readily available for the first year and for the rest of the years, student needs to show a plan of payment)

• Police certificate

• Medical certificate (see below)

• Identity pages in your student’s current, valid and old passports

Please ensure that the documents provided as part of the visa application are an exact match to those provided at the application and acceptance stages (i.e. those that were sent to the institution). Discrepancies will not be accepted.

More information regarding documents required: https://www.immigration.govt.nz/documents/checklists/first-time-student-visa-application-checklist.pdf.

Undertake a Medical Examination

The medical must be undertaken prior to lodging an application. A copy of the General Medical Certificate (INZ1007) form (provided by the doctor) should be uploaded with the application form.

Your student may also need the Chest X-ray Certificate (INZ1096). Refer to page 15: https://www.immigration.govt.nz/documents/forms-and-guides/inz1013.pdf

Your student must be examined by a doctor on the list of panel physicians listed on the New Zealand government website - refer to: https://www.immigration.govt.nz/new-zealand-visas/preparing-a-visa-application/medical-info/panel-physicians .

The medical test consists of a medical history questionnaire and physical examination. Your student may also be referred for x-rays or be required to complete laboratory tests.

Medicals are conducted by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) in each respective country. Online registration is usually available and you can obtain the forms from the relevant country IOM website.

In Sri Lanka - this could be done by the IOM or the Asiri Surgical Hospital.
For Bangladesh - medicals are done by IOM, Wahab Clinic, Green Crescent.
In India - medicals are done through the panel doctors approved by INZ (Immigration New Zealand)

Your student will be advised which documents they should bring to the medical.

Complete the Online Visa Application

Complete the Student Visa Application (INZ 1012) application form at https://www.immigration.govt.nz/documents/forms-and-guides/student-visa-application-online/@@resource_summary

Your student will need a RealMe account to apply-  https://www.realme.govt.nz/.

Two passport photos (colour 35mm x 45mm) must be attached with the application. White background and 80% face focused.

Ensure your student has as many documents required for a complete application as possible to prevent delays in processing.

Biometrics Taken

(if relevant for your country)

Biometrics can be taken prior to lodging your student’s visa application or after application lodgement.

This involves providing a photo and fingerprints and must be given in person.

Your student will receive an instruction letter telling them where they need to go. The biometrics must be taken at an official biometric collection site. On the letter from the visa officer handling your student’s application, the location of the collection site will be provided.

Note: Biometrics are not applicable for Bangladesh. For Sri Lanka, students need to get their biometrics taken after arrival in NZ. Biometrics are not mandatory for Indian students.

Await Decision on Visa

The application is checked for all the correct documents.

If more information is required, your student will be emailed to supply further documentation.

While awaiting the result, Immigration New Zealand may contact your student for an interview.

At the interview, your student will be asked questions about the study program, institution, future plans, sponsorship, accommodation details, why they chose to study in New Zealand, academic details, employment details and their spouse and dependent details, if relevant etc.

Visa Approved

Your student will receive the AIP (Approval in Principle) letter from the embassy.

Then they will need to submit proof of one year of course payment for tuition fees to the embassy and funds must be transferred towards living expenses for one year to the ANZ bank (FTS - see below).

Your student will receive the e-visa grant notification via email.

Funds Transfer Scheme (FTS)

For Sri Lankan, India, China and Philippine students, further financial evidence needs to be supplied to show your student genuinely has enough money to live while in New Zealand.

This needs to be provided as part of the Funds Transfer Scheme (FTS). The FTS is a secure way for students to transfer funds to support themselves in New Zealand and is operated by the ANZ Bank of New Zealand.

More information can be found at: https://www.immigration.govt.nz/new-zealand-visas/preparing-a-visa-application/financial-arrangements/funding-your-study/funds-transfer-scheme

Note: Regions that are non-FTS will need to show evidence of where finances are sourced from.

Visa Rejected

An email/letter will be sent to your student explaining why.

Reasons may include your student didn’t:

• Show proof of funds to support themselves while studying in New Zealand or were unable to verify proof of funds from a financial institution

• Convince the visa officer the the main purpose of coming to New Zealand was for study

• Convince the visa officer they would leave New Zealand at the conclusion of their study

• Meet travel history requirements

If there is a change in your circumstances your student can re-apply. The visa application fee is non-refundable.

Advise Adventus of Visa Decision

Please Note

The material and information contained in this article is for general information purposes only. Whilst we endeavour to keep the information up to date and correct, Adventus makes no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or available with respect to the information contained in this article for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such material is strictly at your own risk. We recommend that you review your relevant country's embassy/consultant website and/or obtain professional advice to understand how the self-processed visa system applies to you.

Need Assistance or Have an Inquiry?

Latin America: admissions.latam@adventus.io
Middle East/Africa: admissions.mea@adventus.io
South East Asia: admissions.sea@adventus.io
India: admissions.india@adventus.io
Nepal: admissions.nepal@adventus.io
Sri Lanka: admissions.srilanka@adventus.io
Bangladesh: admissions.bangladesh@adventus.io
Pakistan: admissions.pakistan@adventus.io