Study in New Zealand from India: semesters, funds and visa papers
I want to study in New Zealand from India in 2027. How much money does Immigration New Zealand ask for, what papers go with the visa, and when does the University of Auckland close applications?
New Zealand universities start in February or March (Semester One) and July (Semester Two). For a Fee Paying Student Visa, Immigration New Zealand asks for NZD 20,000 a year for living costs if you study for a year or more, or NZD 1,667 a month for shorter study. Tuition for one year or one programme, whichever is shorter, must be paid. An English test is not compulsory for the visa itself, but your university sets its own score. The University of Auckland asks international students to apply for Semester One 2027 by 1 December 2026.
This page may be out of date. It was due for a re-check on 30 November 2026. Confirm every rule with the official source before acting on it.
As of 31 October 2026: we read every figure on this page on the official page linked next to it that day. Governments revise these amounts, often once a year, so open the official page again before you pay or apply.
At a glance
- Living costs, a year or more of study
- NZD 20,000 a year[1]
- Study under a year
- NZD 1,667 a month[1]
- Tuition
- Paid in full for 1 year or 1 programme, whichever is shorter, or the alternatives INZ lists[1]
- Visa cost
- From NZD 850; INZ says 80% of applications are processed within 7 weeks[2]
- English for the visa
- Not mandatory, but INZ says results can help it assess that you genuinely intend to study; your course provider sets its own requirement[2]
- Sponsors (applying in South Asia)
- Only immediate family can sponsor you or give a financial undertaking[2]
University of Auckland closing dates, 2027
| Intake | Apply by |
|---|---|
| Semester One 2027 (international applicants) | 1 December 2026; most undergraduate programmes 8 December 2026 |
| Semester Two 2027 (undergraduate, international) | 8 June 2027 |
From Auckland's postgraduate and undergraduate closing-date pages; individual programmes can close earlier.[3]
| Paper | Detail |
|---|---|
| Offer of place | Course name, length, full or part time; a conditional offer is fine to apply from outside New Zealand, but it must be unconditional before approval |
| Tuition fee evidence | Fees paid for one course or one year, whichever is shorter; from outside New Zealand you can pay after approval in principle |
| Living-cost evidence | For example a scholarship or fixed deposits, against the NZD figures above |
| Police certificates | Less than 6 months old when you apply, if you are 17 or older and your total time in New Zealand will be 24 months or longer |
| Medical and travel cover | Full cover for your stay |
| Chest X-ray or medical | If INZ asks for it |
From the Fee Paying Student Visa page.[2]
The University of Auckland lists IELTS Academic 6.0 overall with no band below 5.5 as its baseline for undergraduate study; some programmes ask for more.[5]
NZQA's International Qualification Assessment compares overseas qualifications with New Zealand's framework, mainly for work and immigration, and it does not assess school qualifications. For admission, the university reads your marksheets itself, so ask it before you pay for an assessment.[6]
Tips and tricks
- A conditional offer is enough to apply from India, but plan for the time it takes to turn it unconditional before INZ approves the visa.[2]
- If a family member is giving you the money, check they count as immediate family; INZ accepts only them for applications made in South Asia.[2]
- If you are 17 or older and your total time in New Zealand will be 24 months or more, get police certificates close to your filing date: they must be under 6 months old.[2]
- Read the course's own English requirement even though the visa does not insist on a test.
- Start your bank history early. INZ accepts bank statements that show the last 3 months of transactions or fixed deposits held for at least 3 months, and it may ask you to explain any deposit over NZD 2,000.[1]
Questions people ask
How much money is needed for a New Zealand student visa?
Immigration New Zealand asks for NZD 20,000 a year for living costs if you study for a year or more, or NZD 1,667 a month for shorter study, plus the tuition rule.[1]
Is IELTS compulsory for a New Zealand student visa?
INZ says English results are not mandatory for the visa but can help it assess your intention to study. Your university sets its own requirement.[2]
When does the University of Auckland close applications for February 2027?
Auckland asks international applicants to apply for Semester One 2027 by 1 December 2026, and most undergraduate programmes close on 8 December 2026.[3]
Do I have to pay tuition before applying for a New Zealand student visa?
Not always. If you apply from outside New Zealand you can pay after INZ grants approval in principle, but fees for one year or one programme must be paid before the visa is issued.[2]
What is the New Zealand student visa fee?
INZ lists the Fee Paying Student Visa from NZD 850 and says 80% of applications are processed within 7 weeks.[2]
Connected pages
- Uses data from · Study abroadStudent visa funds by country: official figures with a rupee converterThe money each government asks students to show, from UK to France, with source and date, and a converter to rupees at RBI's published rate.
- Related · Study abroadStudy abroad intake and deadline calendar: a month-by-month back-planPick a country and intake to get a printable month-by-month plan built back from official university and government dates, each with its source.
- Related · Study abroadStudy in Australia from India: intakes, CoE and financial capacityAustralia Student visa (subclass 500) living costs (AUD 29,710 a year), English minimums, CoE and health cover, plus 2027 semester dates, sourced.
- Related · Study abroadPTE Academic in India: fee, format, results and reschedulingPTE Academic from India in 2026: INR 18,900 fee, the 2-hour format, results in about 2 business days, the 10 to 90 score and the 14-day reschedule rule.
Official and partner links
Sources
- Student fund requirements, Immigration New Zealand. Accessed 31 October 2026.
- Fee Paying Student Visa, Immigration New Zealand. Accessed 31 October 2026.
- Postgraduate application closing dates, University of Auckland. Accessed 31 October 2026.
- Undergraduate application closing dates, University of Auckland. Accessed 31 October 2026.
- Undergraduate English language requirements, University of Auckland. Accessed 31 October 2026.
- International Qualification Assessment, New Zealand Qualifications Authority. Accessed 31 October 2026.
Found an error or a newer rule? Tell us through the corrections page. Updated 31 October 2026.