Student visa peak processing underway

We are in a peak processing period for student visa applications, and have received a high volume of applications for study in 2026.

During peak periods, applications may take longer to process. It is important that anyone wanting to come to New Zealand to study applies at least 3 months before they plan to travel and includes all the evidence we need to make a decision.

Please ensure you submit full and complete applications, including:

• a valid Offer of Place from a New Zealand education provider  
• evidence of money to live on that is from a genuine source and will be available to the student in New Zealand  
• health and character evidence
• information about your client’s reasons for their study and plans for after their study.

We may decide an application based on the information provided, and not request further information.

Do not include ‘holding’ documents, such as a letter stating “the information will be uploaded later”, as the application may be declined.

Applying with a conditional Offer of Place

Applicants outside New Zealand can apply with a conditional Offer of Place if their provider needs to wait for the student’s academic results to confirm enrolment. This will allow us to begin assessing the application, and approve it in principle if other requirements are met. An unconditional Offer of Place will be required before we can grant a visa.

Late applications may not be processed in time

If your clients intend to study in early 2026 and you have not yet applied for their visa, or only applied recently, they should talk to their education provider about study options in case their application is not decided before their course starts.

If your client’s application has not been decided by their programme’s start date, the education provider can issue either a new Offer of Place for a later intake or a letter confirming new study start dates. You can upload this to their online application to prevent delays when the application is decided.

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