International students’ information

This information is specific to international students and explains some of the different regulations you’ll need to be aware of during your doctoral study.

During the course of a doctoral programme any number of situations commonly arise for all doctoral students. Due to Immigration NZ’s conditions around study visas, and the Government’s eligibility requirements giving international students access to domestic tuition fee rates, some University regulations need to be managed a little differently for study visa holders.

You will need to read the sections below together with the general information provided on attendance, suspensions and extensions.

Attendance

International PhD students pay the same tuition fees as New Zealand students. In order to be eligible for domestic fee status, international students are required (under Tertiary Education Commission funding rules ENR006 and ENR007) to be resident in New Zealand during their studies.

New Zealand’s universities have agreed to interpret the government’s funding rules as meaning that international PhD students must not be absent from their university for approved research purposes for more than 12 months in total during their doctoral studies.

If you do need to leave Wellington for research purposes please read our information on conducting research away from Victoria University of Wellington.

For more information visit Managing your candidature.

Suspending your study

As an international student, you are limited by Immigration New Zealand regulations and suspending your doctoral registration will have implications for your student visa. For more information visit Managing your candidature.

Visa renewals

When applying to renew your visa you will need to provide a letter from your supervisor or Faculty Adviser summarising your academic progress and providing an estimation of your thesis submission date. Your thesis title and supervisor’s name must be included in this letter.

Final year doctoral candidates

If you elect to re-register for a shorter period of time (3, 6 or 9 months) in your final year, please be aware that this may have an impact on your study visa (and insurance)—if you need to renew your visa then your visa length will follow your registration period.

If you have already spent 3 years or longer in New Zealand, it’s a good idea to apply for a new police certificate and medical certificate before you seek to renew your student visa as your last submission of these documents would have been 36 months ago. You can contact Immigration NZ on 0508 55 88 55 if you are not sure about the last submission dates of your police and medical certificates.

Doctoral candidates under examination

You are expected to attend your oral exam in person. If you need to extend your student visa to cover your examination period, your visa will follow the timeframe of the exam process. While your thesis is under examination you will remain an enrolled student of the University, but you are not required to pay tuition fees. However you will still need to provide evidence that you have sufficient funds for living costs (NZ$1,250 for each month).

Changing visa types

If at any stage during your doctoral programme you change visa types (for example, if you’re granted a resident’s visa or permanent residency, or a variation of conditions to your visa) you must forward a copy of your visa to the FGR’s Student Advisors to ensure that your status with the University is managed appropriately and the correct fees charged.

Changing to a resident class visa has implications for your status as an international student and may affect your eligibility for insurance as well as change the way some University regulations apply to your candidature.

For more information visit the renewing your visa. For any questions or to discuss your situation you can contact International Student Support.