Is this you – you’re eager to lodge your New Zealand visa application, because you want to get to New Zealand as quickly as possible?

Yes, it is?

Then let’s pause and remind you of the saying ‘haste makes waste’ – when you try to do things too quickly, sometimes you get them wrong or have to do them all over again.

Unfortunately it’s all too easy to ‘make waste’ when doing a visa application and the result often is unnecessary delays.

The best strategy is to take the necessary time and precautions to submit a complete and correct application.

Here’s our tips on how to do this:

1. Plan ahead

You have to start with an assessment to find out if you’re eligible to live in New Zealand. Book one as soon as possible if you haven’t done that yet.

The assessment will show which visa you stand to qualify for, which in turn will highlight the best way forward.

Knowing the emigration route available to you, means knowing which documentation you’ll need in future, whether or not you’ll have to do an English test, if you have to register with a professional body, etc. Essentially, all the parts of your application that you’ll have to submit.

2. Check that you’ve included all the required documentation

The one thing most applicants are guilty of, is neglecting to submit all the necessary documents. Our advisers often have to request documents a second time because it wasn’t included in the original pack.

The best thing to do is to have a checklist, to tick off documents as you go. Mark up also if documents should be photocopies, originals or certified copies.

If you’re working with an adviser, you should get a list of all required documentation. Your adviser should also check all documents once received, to ensure that you’ve sent them everything.

You may of course choose to do your New Zealand visa application on your own, but be aware that the experience might be more stressful, especially if you’re someone who gets stressed easily.

3. Check your passport

Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months after your visa expires and have enough free pages for any required visa labels.

When our clients have a passports valid for only a couple of months, our advice is always to apply for a passport before starting any visa applications.

When you have to apply for a new passport in the middle of an application, it could lead to delays.

4. Apply for your visa in time

Visa application take time to be decided and there’s nothing you, or us, can do once an application is in the hands of Immigration New Zealand.

It is thus important to allow sufficient time for your application when making the rest of your plans.

Need professional help with your New Zealand visa application?

Like we said, you can do your visa application on your own, but if you suspect that it would be a more pleasant experience with a professional by your side, you are more than welcome to contact us.

You can speak to an adviser by booking a consultation call..

We’ll start with an assessment, the important first step, and then we’ll explain the best way forward – so that you can plan ahead and apply for your visa in time.

In the 2017/2018 financial year, more than 5,000 South Africans left for New Zealand. Our guess is that their reasons to move from South Africa to New Zealand, while unique to each person, shared some distinct similarities.

Today, we’ll discuss these similarities, which range from the countries sharing a similar culture to the high standard of education children receive in New Zealand.

1. New Zealand is familiar

South Africa and New Zealand are alike in many ways. The culture is similar, many values are shared, and both countries have good weather and a great love for the outdoors. New Zealand can also match South Africa when it comes to breathtaking scenery.

It also helps that English is spoken in New Zealand, so South Africans going over won’t have problems communicating with locals. It is much harder to adapt to life in a new country when you can’t speak the local language!

2. It is one of the safest countries in the world

No country is without crime, but New Zealand does much better than South Africa in safety indexes. For instance, in the 2022 Global Peace Index, New Zealand came in second after only Iceland.

In comparison South Africa slipped down one spot in 2018 to sit at number 125 out of 163 countries.

3. New Zealand’s economy is doing well

The South African economy advanced 1.1% year-on-year in the third quarter of 2018. In contrast, the New Zealand GDP grew 2.6% year-on-year in the same period.

This good growth, although lower than originally forecasted, stimulate the job market. New Zealand’s unemployment rate at the end of 2018 was only 4.3%, while South Africa was struggling with an unemployment rate of 27.1%.

4. Plenty of job opportunities

South Africans are known as hard workers and sought-after employees the world over. If you have the right skills, qualifications and experience, you are bound to find a job in New Zealand.

5. Access to excellent healthcare

New Zealand’s healthcare is among the best in the world. The public healthcare system ensures that all residents have access to free or heavily-subsidised hospital care. According to the OECD Better Life Index, New Zealanders have a life expectancy of 82 years, which is two years above the OECD average.

Please note: in order to access public healthcare, migrants must have New Zealand residency status.

6. Children get a world-class education

New Zealand consistently fares well in the OECD’s Better Life Index where the country’s education is scored on students’ literacy, math and science performance.

Parents also agree that New Zealand’s education standards are exceptional. Expats ranked New Zealand’s school quality at number 10 out of 31 countries in the latest Expat Explorer Survey. South Africa came in at number 21.

7. It’s not as expensive as you might think

While it’s true that New Zealand is not the cheapest place to live in the world, it’s not as expensive as many people think. In fact, the cost of living in New Zealand is dropping relative to many other countries.

In the 2018 Mercer Cost of Living Index, Auckland dropped to number 81 on the list while Wellington dropped to number 101. This makes it more affordable cities to live in than Berlin, at number 71, and London, at number 19.

Keep in mind that even though the cost of living might be more expensive than in South Africa, you get to live in a beautiful country with good public services. New Zealanders are also known for favouring a healthy work-life balance, so it’s safe to say that life will be good in the Land of the Long White Cloud.

Eager to explore your chances of working and living in New Zealand? Book your consultation call with our licensed advisor today!

When you choose to study in New Zealand, you’re guaranteed a world-class education. Your surroundings can’t be beat either. New Zealand is considered to be one of the most beautiful countries in the world.

It’s no surprise more than 60 000 international students chose to further their education in New Zealand in 2017.

More than 500 learning institutions

New Zealand has 8 universities, all of which are in the top 3% of the world.

New Zealand also has Institutes of Technologies and Polytechnics, Private Training Establishments and English language schools.

Qualifications are offered at every level – certificates, diplomas, graduate and post-graduate degrees.

Universities

New Zealand universities offer a broad range of subjects for undergraduates, as well as Masters and Doctoral degrees in commerce, science, and the humanities. Some universities also offer degrees in specialist fields such as medicine and engineering.

You’ll find that many New Zealand universities have more than one campus, often in different cities too.

Institutes of Technologies and Polytechnics (ITPs)

Institutes of Technologies and Polytechnics, or ITPs as they’re commonly known, offer professional and vocational education and training. While the emphasis is on practical experience and application to work situations, an ITP degree has equal status with a university degree.

Many of New Zealand’s 16 ITPs also offer English Language courses and post-graduate options, including up to doctoral level.

Private Training Institutions and English language schools

New Zealand has about 550 registered Private Training Establishments (PTEs). PTE courses are generally specific to English language learning or niche occupations such as travel and tourism, design, and ICT.

Most PTEs provide certificate and diploma level qualifications, but some also offer Bachelor and Masters degrees.

You’re guaranteed a quality education

New Zealand’s education standards are high and regulated with strong quality assurance systems:

• Universities New Zealand (UNZ): UNZ is responsible for monitoring and maintaining standards at universities and approving qualifications.
• New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA): NZQA monitor education standards at ITPs and TEPs.

This approach has paid off, as New Zealand universities often rank among the best in the world. In 2018, eight top universities in New Zealand are included among the world’s best in the QS World University Rankings. Five of these universities are in the global top 300.

New Zealand has also made sure that a New Zealand qualification is recognized by schools and universities world-wide, by participating in the Lisbon Recognition Convention and other inter-governmental agreements.

New Zealand takes care of its international students

When you study in New Zealand, you are protected by a Code of Practice. This Code sets the standards every institution must meet in supporting its international students.

You’ll also get support in the form of advice and guidance from live-in wardens at residences and hostels. All institutions hosting international students has staff dedicated to ensuring your time in New Zealand is successful and stress free.

Visas to study

You won’t require a student visa in all instances:

• Is your course three months or less? You’ll only need a visitor visa.
• Are you planning on studying full time for more than three months? You’ll need a student visa.

New Zealand student visa

The New Zealand student visa allows for a maximum stay of up to four years. To apply for a visa, you must have been offered a place at an appropriate New Zealand education provider. You must also be able to prove that you can support yourself financially for the duration of your course.

Please go to our student visa page for the full details and all requirements.

Partners and children are welcome

Your spouse or life partner and dependent children can join you in New Zealand while you study.
Partners can apply for a Partner of a Student Visitor visa, while dependent children can apply for a Child of a Student Visitor visa.

When granted, these visas will be valid for as long as your student visa. No other activities, apart from three months of studying, is possible though. If your partner or children would like to study for longer, they’d have to apply for student visas. Similarly, your partner would have to apply for another visa if they’d like to work.

How much does it cost to study in New Zealand?

Just like elsewhere in the world, fees vary depending on the course and the institution. The cost of living is similar to other OECD countries. As discussed, international students have to prove the financial means to support themselves for the duration of the course. For this reason, let’s take a look at the fees you can expect to pay, as well as New Zealand living costs:

Fees

The New Zealand Education Department gives the following costs to guide you:

Diplomas and certificates:

• Engineering: NZ$18,500 for a two-year diploma.
• Computing: NZ$12,425 for a one-term certificate.

Bachelor’s Degree:

Fees range from about NZ$22,000 to NZ$32,000. Subjects such medicine and veterinary science have higher fees.

Postgraduate Degree:

You can expect to pay between NZ$26,000 to NZ$37,000 for postgraduate degrees. Again, subjects such as medicine and veterinary science have higher fees.

PhDs:

International PhD students pay the same as New Zealand PhD students, which is about NZ$6,500 to NZ$9,000 per year for most subjects.

English Language Courses:

The fees for English Language courses range from NZ$300 per week for a general course to NZ$5,100 for a Cambridge English exam course of 12 weeks.

Important to note:

Students with domestic status, i.e. citizens and holders of resident visas, have their fees subsidized by the government. These students contribute about 30% of the cost of their course.

Living costs

Your living costs will depend on your lifestyle as well as on where you live in New Zealand.
With that said, the New Zealand Education Department shares the following estimated living costs recommended by universities:

• Victoria University: NZ$18,000 – NZ$27,000 per year.
• University of Auckland: NZ$20,000 – NZ$25,000 per year.
• University of Otago: NZ$15,000 – NZ$17,000 per year.
• Massey University: NZ$15,000 – NZ$17,000 each year.

Can you work while studying?

The New Zealand student visa allows you to work for up to 20 hours per week during terms and full-time during holidays. This could help you offset living costs and gain New Zealand work experience.

Note there are no restrictions for PhD and Masters research students.

Working in New Zealand after studying

New Zealand offers a post-study work pathway to international students with a New Zealand qualification. This pathway lets you find a job in New Zealand and gain work experience. It’s an attractive pathway for many students, as it could make it easier to apply for residence.

The pathway is a two-part process:

• Post-study work visa (Open): This visa gives you 12 months to find a job that’s relevant to your studies.
• Post-study work visa (Employer Assisted): Once you have found a job, this visa lets you work in that specific job. You’ll be allowed to work for two years.

Read more about these visas here.

Need help with a student visa?

If it’s your goal to study in New Zealand, let us help you apply for a student visa. The first step is doing an immigration assessment to see if you do qualify for this visa. If you do, our team will guide you through the emigration process from start to finish.