General information, not immigration advice. The figures are Immigration New Zealand's own percentiles for recently decided applications; individual applications can take longer.
About this visa
This visa is for students who are paying international tuition fees themselves, or with support from family, a loan, or a partial scholarship. You must have an offer of place from an approved education provider.
Frequently asked questions
As at 16 October 2026, Immigration New Zealand reports that 50% of recent Fee Paying Student Visa applications were completed within 3 weeks and 80% within 7 weeks. Individual applications can take longer, particularly if INZ requests further information.
The published figures are percentiles of recently decided applications, not a promise. Applications that are incomplete, need verification, or raise health, character or genuineness questions routinely exceed them. If your application is far outside the 80% figure, you can contact INZ or engage a licensed immigration adviser or immigration lawyer to follow up.
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Sources
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