Student Exchange Scheme Visa

At a glance

Participants in an approved student exchange scheme can obtain a student visa for the length of their exchange [E11.55]. Applications must be lodged from outside New Zealand, and applicants must satisfy generic temporary entry requirements, be bona fide, and meet health and character standards [E11.55]. Evidence of acceptance by the scheme organiser and outward travel arrangements is required [E11.55]. Partners and dependent children may accompany the participant under certain conditions [E11.55].

How to apply

• Apply from outside New Zealand [E11.55].
• Meet the requirements for lodging a temporary entry class visa [E11.55].
• Demonstrate that the applicant is a bona fide temporary entrant [E11.55].
• Provide evidence of acceptance into an approved exchange scheme by the scheme organiser [E11.55].
• Provide evidence of outward travel: either actual travel tickets out of New Zealand to a destination where the applicant has right of entry, or a written guarantee from a New Zealand guarantor to secure outward bookings [E11.55].
• Satisfy health and character requirements [E11.55].

Eligibility criteria

• The applicant must be accepted into an approved student exchange scheme [E11.55].
• The applicant must meet generic temporary entry application requirements [E11.55].
• The applicant must be a bona fide applicant intending a temporary stay [E11.55].
• Health and character requirements must be met [E11.55].
• If the student is studying under a school-to-school exchange scheme, the school must be a signatory to the Education (Pastoral Care of Tertiary and International Learners) Code of Practice 2021 [E11.55].

Participants who arrive in New Zealand without a student visa may still be granted one for the maximum period of their scheme if there are special reasons for the failure to obtain a visa and they otherwise meet the requirements [E11.55].

Partners and dependent children

Partners and dependent children of participants may be granted visas for the same period, provided they meet the requirements for their visa category and INZ is satisfied that the exchange scheme allows accompanying family [E11.55]. Partners may apply for work visas after arrival, subject to work visa criteria [E11.55].

Extending stay for tourism

Participants who wish to stay longer as tourists may be granted a visitor visa for up to 3 months, provided they meet visitor visa requirements [E11.55].

Interpretation & edge cases

• Pastoral care: School-to-school exchange participants must attend a signatory school to the Pastoral Care Code 2021 [E11.55]. Participants under reciprocal exchange schemes managed by an Exchange Programme Organisation (EPO) approved by the Ministry of Education, and tertiary students on approved exchanges, are not required to attend a signatory school [E11.55].
• Outward travel guarantee: A written guarantee from a New Zealand guarantor is sufficient in place of actual tickets, but the guarantor must ensure bookings regardless of whether the participant completes the full exchange term [E11.55].
• Arrival without visa: The “special reasons” threshold is not defined, giving immigration officers discretion to grant a visa on arrival [E11.55].

Citations

• E11.55 — Requirements for participants in approved student exchange schemes