It’s time for you to finally come to New Zealand, and I will make sure you move as a student with visa sponsorship this year, starting now. Take your time now because I’ll help you begin your New Zealand study visa for immigrants process with Visa Sponsorship, so you travel for free.
A visa holder who is sponsored will be supported during their stay. Your sponsor will be responsible for making sure that you, the student, has everything you need for your welfare, such as proper healthcare, clothing, and food.
You’ll be able to Work part-time up to 20 hours a week while studying or full-time in the holidays, depending on your visa conditions.
You will have a suitable place to stay, and your visa sponsor will you find accommodation and pay for it.
Sponsorship is a serious commitment, and anyone looking to sponsor must meet these obligations while the student is in New Zealand. A student cannot rely on a sponsor if these obligations are not met, and failing to provide adequate support could affect the student’s visa status.
Can someone sponsor me to study in New Zealand?
Yes, individuals can sponsor a student visa for New Zealand. However, there are specific conditions that apply. The person sponsoring you must be a family member or a close friend. The government requires that this sponsor demonstrate they have a close personal relationship with you.
If you are planning to apply for a further student visa after your initial stay, you must keep the same sponsor. Changing your sponsor mid-process is not allowed. Additionally, only family members or close friends are permitted to act as sponsors, even if you are reapplying for a student visa.
The role of the sponsor is to be financially and socially responsible for your well-being while you are studying in New Zealand. They must provide evidence of their relationship with you and show that they can cover your living and other necessary expenses during your stay.
Therefore, sponsorship from friends or family members is not just about paying fees. They need to be involved in ensuring you meet all the visa requirements throughout your study period.
How much funds are needed for a New Zealand student visa?
The required amount is 20,000 NZD for each year of study. This amount needs to be shown in your bank account or your sponsor’s account, and the funds must have been there for at least six months. If not, you must provide evidence of the source of the funds.
The 20,000 NZD is separate from your tuition fees, which need to be paid directly to the educational institution. It is often recommended to pay the tuition fees upfront rather than waiting for the Approval in Principle (AIP) to avoid delays in your application.
If your studies extend beyond the initial period, you may apply for a post-study work visa. This visa allows you to remain in New Zealand to seek employment after your course. Once you secure a job, it may be possible to extend your visa for an additional period.
Having adequate financial backing is one of the most critical parts of the student visa process, and whether the funds come from your own savings or a sponsor’s account, they must meet the requirements set by the New Zealand government.
New Zealand Study Visa for Immigrants – Visa Sponsorship in New Zealand
If you are a student being sponsored to study in New Zealand, it is essential to understand the support your sponsor must provide. They are legally responsible for your well-being while you are in the country. This includes ensuring that you have everything necessary for your health and welfare. Your sponsor must provide basic necessities such as food, clothing, and healthcare. It is also their responsibility to provide suitable accommodation, which they can either offer directly or pay for on your behalf.
Your sponsor must also pay for your return travel to your home country if you choose not to cover this expense yourself. In case you are deported from New Zealand, your sponsor must cover the costs of your deportation, including detention and transportation back home.
Please Note…
Even if you have agreed to pay for some of these expenses, your sponsor is still legally responsible for covering all your costs.
Only certain individuals can sponsor a New Zealand visa applicant. Typically, a sponsor must be a family member or a friend who agrees to take on the financial responsibility for the visa holder. This is to ensure that the student has reliable support while in New Zealand, which helps to guarantee that they can focus on their studies without financial stress.
Sponsoring a visa applicant’s family members
If you are a student travelling with family, your sponsor can also cover the costs of your partner and dependent children.
They must take care of the same obligations for your family members, including providing food, healthcare, accommodation, and travel costs. This helps ensure that the entire family is supported during their stay in New Zealand.
Sponsors adding you as family in their visa application
When applying for a visa, please include details of your family members if they will be joining you in New Zealand. Your sponsor will need to be aware of their responsibility to cover the costs for your family, just as they do for you. The New Zealand authorities will look closely at the sponsor’s ability to support all individuals included in the visa application.
If you travel in and out of NZ
If you are granted a visa with multiple entry travel conditions, your sponsor’s responsibilities only apply when you are in New Zealand.
They are not required to cover your expenses while you are outside of the country, even if you hold a New Zealand visa. However, their obligations resume as soon as you re-enter the country on the same visa.
When your student visa sponsorship begins and ends
The sponsorship begins as soon as you, the student, arrive in New Zealand. If you are already in the country when the visa is granted, the sponsorship starts from the date the visa is issued.
Sponsorship ends when you leave New Zealand or when you obtain a new visa, whether that visa involves a sponsor or not. This timeline is important for both the student and the sponsor to understand, as the sponsor remains legally responsible during this entire period.
Please note that your sponsor cannot withdraw their sponsorship, even if you remain in New Zealand without a valid visa. This legal responsibility continues until you either leave the country or secure a new visa.
If your sponsor fails to meet their obligations
If your sponsor does not fulfil their responsibilities, you could be deported from New Zealand. This can happen if they do not provide the agreed support, such as covering your living expenses or return travel costs.
If any costs are covered by a third party or the New Zealand government because your sponsor has failed to pay, those costs become a debt for your sponsor. They can be taken to court to recover these amounts, even if you are no longer in New Zealand or if you have obtained a new visa. Therefore, it is crucial that your sponsor meets all their obligations throughout your stay.
How long does it take to get a sponsorship visa for New Zealand?
According to the INZ (Immigration New Zealand) website, about 80% of sponsorship visa applications are processed within seven weeks. However, 20% of the applications might take longer to process. If your visa application is in the longer processing group, you should expect to wait an additional three to four weeks before receiving any updates.
It is recommended that you apply at least six weeks before you plan to travel to New Zealand to allow enough time for processing.
For student visa applications, there are two options. If you apply online, the processing time is usually about 20 days. If you apply using a paper form, the process will likely take around 25 days. This slight difference in time between the online and paper methods is important to consider when deciding how to submit your application. Planning ahead is key to ensure your visa is ready in time for your travels.
New Zealand student visa success rate
Since New Zealand’s borders reopened to international students in August 2022, Immigration New Zealand has received around 124,000 study visa applications. Of those, 119,000 applications have already been processed. The result is a student visa approval rate of 85%, which means about 101,000 applicants have received their visas so far.
On average, these student visa applications are processed within a six-week period.
Also, agents providing guidance for prospective students do not need to be licensed immigration advisors as long as they only offer advice specifically related to student visas.
New Zealand student visa age limit
New Zealand has no specific age limit for applicants seeking a student visa. This allows people of various age groups to apply for study in New Zealand. However, all applicants must meet other important eligibility criteria.
Applicants need to provide proof of acceptance into a recognised educational institution, as well as financial documentation. You will need to show that you have at least NZD $20,000 per year for living expenses if you are in tertiary education or NZD $17,000 per year if you are in compulsory education. If your stay is shorter than a year, you must show NZD $1,667 per month for tertiary studies or NZD $1,417 per month for school studies.
If you are staying with a local family in a homestay, you will need documents proving these costs have been covered. You also need to submit a Sponsorship Form for Temporary Entry or a completed Financial Undertaking for a Student form to confirm financial support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can sponsor me to study in New Zealand?
To sponsor a student visa in New Zealand, the sponsor must be a close friend or family member. It’s important to note that if you apply for a further student visa, you cannot change your sponsor. Additionally, a sponsor is only allowed if a friend or family member sponsored your initial student visa.
Can I convert my visitor visa to a study visa in New Zealand?
You can apply for a student visa if you come to New Zealand on a visitor visa and get admitted to a course. While the idea of “converting” a visa may seem popular, technically, you’re applying for a new student visa. If your visitor visa expires while awaiting a decision, you’ll receive an interim visa for up to six months.
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