New Zealand urges international students to apply early for study visas ahead of 2025 intake

New Zealand is urging international students to start applying for student visas if they intend to study in the country in 2025. New Zealand is getting ready for the summer processing peak, which begins in October each year. The October to February period is when most international students apply for a study visa in New Zealand.

During this peak period, applications take longer to process, therefore, anyone hoping to study in New Zealand in early 2025 must apply as soon as possible.

International students stand the best chance of receiving a decision in time for their 2025 studies if they apply for a study visa at least three months before the date they expect to start their studies in New Zealand.

Processing times for international student visa applications are updated every month. Visa processing times for international students results vary depending on the type of education provider.

Most common student visas used by international students are:

Fee Paying Student Visa — including English language students
Pathway Student Visa
MFAT-funded NZ Scholarship Student Visa, and
Exchange Student Visa.

The wait time for Processing of New Zealand study visa for studying in universities is 5 weeks (as of August)

Some students will be unable to apply three months in advance because they may be waiting for important study paperwork. These students should apply as soon as they have the necessary documentation, but be aware that late applications may not be processed in time for them to begin studying.

Due to the anticipated large volume of visa applications, New Zealand Immigration will be unable to contact students if documents are missing from their visa application. If New Zealand Immigration do not have all of the information they need to evaluate an application, they may deny it.

Further, the New Zealand Government announced on 9 August 2024 that increases to visa charges, made up of fees and levies, are being introduced on 1 October 2024.

Source: https://www.financialexpress.com/business/investing-abroad-new-zealand-calls-for-early-student-visa-applications-ahead-of-2025-intake-3610487/