New Zealand scholarship students

At a glance

New Zealand scholarship students are individuals funded by the New Zealand Government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) under four scholarship schemes. The objective is for candidates to gain knowledge and skills to assist the development of their home country. Scholarship recipients must return to their home country for at least two years after completion (or one year for short-term training or English language training of 12 months or less). This definition underpins residence and work visa restrictions elsewhere in immigration instructions. [U11] During their study, scholarship students may work up to 25 hours per week and full‑time during the Christmas‑New Year holiday period, and may obtain post‑study work visas for practical experience, subject to conditions. [U11.1]

Definition

A New Zealand scholarship student receives funding from the New Zealand Government through MFAT under one of the following schemes:

1. New Zealand Scholarships
2. New Zealand Short Term Training Scholarships
3. New Zealand Commonwealth Scholarships
4. New Zealand English Language Training for Officials [U11]

The objective of the scholarships is for candidates to gain knowledge and skills in specific subject areas that will assist in the development of their home country. [U11]

Recipients are required to return to their home country for at least two years after the completion of their scholarship to apply these new skills and knowledge in government, civil society, or private business organisations. [U11] However, for Short Term Training Scholarships or English Language Training for Officials of twelve months or less in duration, the return period is reduced to at least one year. [U11]

Application in decisions

This instruction defines who qualifies as a New Zealand scholarship student for immigration purposes, including the residence restrictions in R5.105 and the work visa conditions at WF4.5. When assessing eligibility for a residence class visa, INZ must determine whether the applicant is a current or former scholarship student under U11, which triggers the stand‑down period. [U11]

Employment and post-study work conditions

• During study: Visa conditions may permit work for up to 25 hours per week during the academic year, up to 25 hours per week during any holidays within the academic year, and full‑time during the Christmas‑New Year holiday period. These work rights do not apply to students under the Short Term Training Scholarships or the English Language Training for Officials schemes. [U11.1]
• Post‑completion work visa: At the completion of their programme, scholarship students may be granted a work visa for qualification‑related work experience for the minimum time needed to complete practical work requirements. Senior medical and pharmacy students may be granted a work visa for their internship/registration year. [U11.1]
• Prohibited activities: New Zealand scholarship students are not permitted to work in self‑employment, provide commercial sexual services, act as an operator of a New Zealand business of prostitution, or invest in a business of prostitution (refer to E7.40). [U11.1]
• Visa granting after completion: In the two-year period (or one year for Short Term Training Scholarships or English Language Training for Officials of twelve months or less) following completion of the scholarship, the student, their partner, and dependent children may only be granted a visa with written approval from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade or Education New Zealand. The exceptions are a work visa to complete programme requirements and, for an applicant outside New Zealand, a short‑term visitor visa. [U11.1]
• Partner work rights: Partners of New Zealand scholarship students may have work instructions under WF4.5.

Interpretation & edge cases

• U11 lists only MFAT‑administered schemes; other instructions (e.g., R5.105) also reference scholarships administered by Education New Zealand. The term "New Zealand scholarship student" in those instructions may encompass a wider set of funders. [U11]
• The return obligation is a condition of the scholarship itself; it may be considered when assessing the applicant’s intention to stay in New Zealand or in other contexts where the scholarship’s terms are relevant. [U11]
• The instruction is effective from 10 December 2022. [U11]
• The work hour limits and prohibitions are additional to the general student visa work conditions (see U13.15.10) and are specific to scholarship students. Officers must note that Short Term Training Scholarship and English Language Training for Officials holders are excluded from the standard work rights but may be eligible for separate work entitlements. [U11.1]
• The post‑completion visa restriction requiring MFAT or Education New Zealand approval imposes a significant limitation on transitioning to other visa types. Immigration officers must verify written approval before granting any visa except those explicitly exempted. [U11.1]
• For the one‑year restriction under U11.1(e), the duration of the scholarship or training (12 months or less) determines the applicable period, not the actual period of stay. [U11.1]
• Senior medical and pharmacy students are specifically enabled to obtain a work visa for their internship/registration year, reflecting the mandatory practical training requirements of those professions. [U11.1]
• U11.1 is effective from 3 November 2025. [U11.1]

Citations

• U11 — New Zealand scholarship students
• U11.1 — Students holding a New Zealand scholarship undertaking employment