Renewing your student visa
Renew your student visa by re-enrolling, paying your fees, preparing your documents, and applying through Immigration New Zealand.
We’ll send you a reminder task through Pūaha 30 days before your visa expires. Once you receive your new visa, you can upload it directly through the reminder task.
How to renew your visa
Re-enrol
To renew your student visa, you must be enrolled in full-time study for a full year:
- Bachelor's and Master's (coursework)—45 points or three courses per trimester (unless you're in your final trimester).
- PhD, Master's by thesis, and professional doctorates—full-time enrolment as approved by your supervisor and the Faculty of Graduate Research.
Pay your fees
Immigration New Zealand requires you to pay tuition for a full academic year or for your entire programme, whichever is shorter.
Once your enrolment and payment are confirmed, you'll receive:
- Confirmation of study (your Offer of Place).
- Fees Assessment (proof of payment).
Prepare your documents
You'll need to upload PDF versions of these documents in your online visa application.
Documents required for all students
- confirmation of study
- fees assessment
- student records (potted history) from Pūaha
- proof of living costs—$20,000 NZD per year, or $1,667 NZD per month if you're studying for less than a year
- proof of funds for return travel (estimate ticket costs)
- medical certificate and/or chest x-ray (if required)
- police certificate (if required).
Additional documents for PhD and Master's by thesis students
- Candidate Development Plan (CDP) report or academic progress letter from your supervisor
- a letter from FGR confirming your expected thesis submission date.
Master's by thesis student visa renewal (upon thesis submission)
If you have submitted your thesis and you wish to apply for a new student visa to stay in New Zealand while you wait for your final result, please contact the Doctoral Examinations team in the Faculty of Graduate Research at fgr-exams@vuw.ac.nz to obtain supporting documentation.
Tuition fees will be exempted during this period, but Immigration New Zealand requires evidence of sufficient living funds (currently NZD $1,667 per month). Please refer to INZ’s website for the most up‑to‑date requirements.
Note—Master’s by thesis students are eligible to apply for a Post Study Work Visa only when their final grades have been released and their qualification is marked as completed.
Find out about visa renewals on the Faculty of Graduate Research website.
Use Immigration New Zealand's Student Visa Guide.
Medical and police certificates
Medical and chest x-ray certificates
- must be submitted within three months of being completed
- valid for 36 months
- you may need new certificates if:
- it has been more than 36 months since your last certificate
- you've stayed in a high TB-risk country for three or more months.
Police certificates
- must be submitted within six months of being issued
- valid for 36 months (or 24 months for exchange students)
- if not in English, you must submit a translated version
- required from:
- your home country
- any country where you've lived for five or more years since age 17.
More information
- Contact us—Immigration New Zealand.
- Who needs an x-ray or medical examination—Immigration New Zealand.
- Police certificates—Immigration New Zealand.
Keep your passport and visa up to date
Your passport must be valid for at least three months after your visa's end date. To renew your passport, contact your country's embassy or consulate in New Zealand.
If you have a new passport, please upload a high-quality PDF scan of the passport bio page.
You can upload a copy of your valid visa each time you renew your passport or obtain a new visa.
You can view previously submitted visas in the Documents tab in your Profile.
What if your student visa expires
All international students in New Zealand must hold a valid student visa. You can find your visa expiry date in your eVisa letter issued by Immigration New Zealand.
If your student visa expires, what happens next depends on whether you've applied to renew it.
If your student visa has expired and you have not submitted a new visa application, you need to leave New Zealand as you are considered unlawful in New Zealand. You may wish to contact Immigration New Zealand or a licensed immigration adviser to discuss your options. In some situations, Immigration New Zealand may consider requests under Section 61 of the Immigration Act.
You must seek Immigration advice from Immigration New Zealand/licensed Immigration adviser and then inform the International Student Support team immediately to discuss your enrolment option and support you with university processes.
Visa status changes and support
If your visa changes to a visitor visa or work visa during your studies, you need to let us know.
If you're granted residency or permanent residency, contact us right away. This could affect your Studentsafe Inbound University insurance and any medical claims.
If you have questions, email us or visit us in person. Our office is at Level 4, Hunter Building, Kelburn Parade.