Approved student exchange schemes
Allows participants in approved student exchange schemes to study in NZ under responsible organisations that meet welfare and accommodation requirements.
- Status
- active
- Updated
- 2026-04-28
- Sources
- E11.45
At a glance
Approved student exchange schemes allow participants to study at a New Zealand educational institution under a scheme operated by a responsible organisation that has satisfied Immigration New Zealand (INZ) and the Ministry of Education that appropriate welfare, accommodation, and maintenance arrangements are in place [E11.45].
Definition
An approved student exchange scheme is a programme that enables international students to attend a school or other educational or training institution in New Zealand on an exchange basis [E11.45].
To gain approval, the scheme must be run by a responsible organisation that has demonstrated to INZ and the Ministry of Education (MoE) that adequate provisions are made for the accommodation, maintenance, and welfare of exchange participants and any accompanying dependants [E11.45].
Application in decisions
When INZ assesses a visa application that relies on an approved student exchange scheme, the scheme's approved status serves as evidence that the participant's living and welfare arrangements are satisfactory. The scheme's operator must maintain the standards that led to approval; failure to do so may result in the scheme's approved status being withdrawn [E11.45].
Interpretation & edge cases
- Accompanying dependants: The requirement extends to any dependants travelling with the exchange participant. The responsible organisation must also arrange suitable accommodation, maintenance, and welfare for those dependants [E11.45].
- Breadth of institutions: The scheme may involve not only schools but also other educational or training institutions, including tertiary providers and private training establishments [E11.45].
- INZ / MoE discretion: Approval is not automatic. INZ and the Ministry of Education jointly assess whether the organisation's arrangements are adequate. There is no statutory appeal against a refusal to approve a scheme — it is an administrative decision [E11.45].
Citations
Approval in principle (residence)
When a residence class visa is approved in principle once all eligibility requirements are met except final steps like fee payment or investment transfer.
Argentina – List of Qualifications Exempt from Assessment
Qualifications from Argentina that are exempt from NZQA assessment and qualify for points under the Skilled Migrant Category, subject to institution and year conditions.