Applying for a student visa to New Zealand? The rules have changed.

As of 18 August 2025, Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has introduced a new online-only student visa application system. This impacts how you apply, how long it takes, and how soon you can start studying in New Zealand.

From 18 September 2025, INZ has also retired the old paper-based student visa forms—meaning if you haven’t submitted your application by then using the old system, you’ll need to start again from scratch using the new digital form.

Key changes international students need to know:

• ✅ New dynamic online form launched (18 August 2025)
• ❌ No more paper forms accepted for key student visa categories (after 18 September 2025)
• ⚠️ All saved drafts in the old system were deleted if not submitted by 17 September

The updated form is more detailed and customises your questions based on your situation. While it may take longer to complete, it reduces back-and-forth with immigration officers—and aims for faster decisions.

Visa types affected:
You must now apply online if you're applying for any of the following:

• Fee Paying Student Visa
• Pathway Student Visa
• English Language Student Visa
• Exchange Student Visa
• NZ Government Scholarship Student Visa
• Foreign Government Supported Student Visa

What this means for you:

• If you saved a draft on the old form and missed the 17 September deadline — it’s gone.
• All new applications must use the updated system via Immigration Online.
• If you're planning to study in New Zealand between October and February, you should apply at least 3 months early to avoid peak-season delays.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q - What changed in the New Zealand student visa system in 2025?
A - INZ launched a new dynamic online student visa form in August 2025. Paper applications were phased out from 18 September.

Q - Can I still use a paper form for a student visa in NZ?
A - No. From 18 September 2025, only online applications are accepted for most student visa types.

​Q - What happens if I didn’t finish my student visa draft before 17 September 2025?
A - Your draft was deleted. You’ll need to start a new application using the new Immigration Online form.

Q - Why is New Zealand changing the student visa form?
A - To improve processing efficiency, reduce follow-up requests, and speed up decision-making.

Q - Is the new student visa form faster to process?
A - It’s longer to complete upfront, but aims to reduce delays by requesting all required documents at once.

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