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Visa’s
STUDENT VISA REQUIREMENTS
If you are considering studying in New Zealand as an international student then you will need to obtain a student visa. Full details of visa and permit requirements, advice on rights to employment in New Zealand while studying, and reporting requirements are available through the New Zealand Immigration Service, and can be viewed on their website at http://www.immigration.govt.nz.
Apply as early as possible. It takes a minimum of six weeks to process a student visa; in some countries it may require up to three months. Students who choose to study for a short time period (three months maximum) may study under a visitor's visa and therefore do not need apply for a student visa (i.e. part-time/modular or interest only study). In limited instances students from certain countries may not require a visa at all; check with Immigration New Zealand to see if this applies to you. Otherwise, all international students MUST apply and be granted an entry visa before leaving their home country.
If you are considering studying in New Zealand as an international student, you will need to obtain a student visa. Full details are available through Immigration New Zealand on their website at http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migrant/stream/study/canistudyinnewzealand/whatisrequired/
Obtaining a Student Visa
Once you have applied for a course of study at Lifeway and if you are accepted for study (pending a student visa) Lifeway College will provide a letter of provisional acceptance. Use this letter to immediately apply for your student visa.
Once your Immigration New Zealand application has been ' approved in principle', you need to send this approval together with your full course fees to Lifeway College which will then issue a Letter of Acceptance and receipt for the tuition fees. If you wish to live in a dormitory on campus also send the application for Lifeway Campus and full fees for accommodation and food charges at this time.
You will then submit this Letter of Acceptance to Immigration New Zealand and your student visa will be issued.
You will then need to obtain appropriate medical and travel insurance for the full period of your study and send proof thereof to Lifeway College before you leave your home country (see the Prospectus on Medical and Travel Insurance).
Although the above steps appear somewhat repetitive, they are designed to save the international student from having to send significant overseas funds until s/he is actually assured that a student visa will be granted.
Failure to obtain a Student Visa
Where a student fails to maintain their student visa and such notice is provided later than eight days after the commencement of the course, the provisions for withdrawal due to ill health or bereavement will apply. Please refer to the refund policies and procedures section of this prospectus for further information regarding tuition fees and refund policies.
How long does it take to obtain the approval of my visa?
It varies from country to country. In China and Japan it can take up to 6 weeks. With in New Zealand it takes about 2 to 3 weeks from the date of submission. Check out the New Zealand Immigration website for more information relating to processing times and costs.
Who should I contact for more information?
You can contact Lifeway College in the following ways:
Email the College Registrar at registrar@lifeway.ac.nz or phone the College on +64-9-425 4054 ext 710
You can contact New Zealand Immigration
www.immigration.govt.nz.
Can I qualify as a domestic student?
To qualify as a domestic student and be entitled to the Government tuition subsidy, you must be a citizen of New Zealand (including students from the Cook Islands, Tokelau, or Niue who have New Zealand citizenship) or a permanent resident of New Zealand or a citizen or permanent resident of Australia. You must provide proof of identity and evidence of citizenship or permanent residency. To do so you must produce a certified copy of one of the following with your application:
Also include if applicable:
Certification and proof of any name change
Any students qualifying as domestic students pay domestic tuition fees and may be reported as domestic students for the purpose of tertiary tuition funding. Australian students can apply for student loans through Studylink but they can not apply for allowances. To confirm if you come under the domestic category go to: www.minedu.govt.nz.
