After You Reach New Zealand

What should a student do after reaching new zealand for studying is the most common question for every student that lands New Zealand to pursue higher education. You need a valid passport to enter New Zealand. Make sure your passport is valid by checking its expiry date and also ensure it meets the rules acceptable for all travel documents. Students studying in New Zealand must also apply for an NZeTA, New Zealand Electronics Travel Authority, or a visa to enter New Zealand. It is also essential to get travel insurance because specific visa categories require the applicant to hold insurance as a part of the visa condition. When getting insurance, check the coverage provided and remember that New Zealand has reciprocal health contracts with the United Kingdom and Australia.

On your arrival in New Zealand, you must fill in a Passenger Arrival Card. Also, get permission to enter New Zealand even if you already possess an NZeTA or a visa. This procedure is generally quick; however, the immigration officers might ask a few questions before allowing you to enter New Zealand. Answer all the questions truthfully. The immigration officers might ask you to provide evidence supporting your application to enter the country. They may ask for your university letter of recommendation or the scholarships that will help you support your education while in New Zealand. You also need to answer questions about customs and biosecurity.

There are two ways you can apply for entry permission into New Zealand. You can either use an eGate or present all your documents to immigration personnel. You must have the following documents to apply for entry into New Zealand:

Travel documents or passport

Completed arrival card, which you receive on the plane before your arrival

Keep all documents in perfect order on your arrival to New Zealand so you can present them whenever the immigration officials ask. The most important documents include the following:

Airline tickets

Passport

Travel insurance certificate

Important addresses and contact numbers

Letter of Recommendation by the university of your choice

Bank statement showing proof of availability of funds

Traveller's cheques

Prescriptions for the medicines you might be carrying

Immunisation and medical records

University transcripts and academic history

You can go to New Zealand if you are a visa waiver traveller to New Zealand or if you possess a visitor visa. However, in that case, you can take up a short course of fewer than three months. You cannot study 3 months' worth of longer study programmes as a visa waiver visitor or visitor visa holder. If you want to study a course of a longer duration, then you must apply for a student visa in New Zealand. While potential students can apply for their student visa within the country, they may not be able to start their studies until they have a visa with the right study conditions.

Note that if you are looking to travel to New Zealand on a visa waiver or visitor visa and then apply for your student visa, you might not be considered an authentic visitor. You may also not be allowed to enter the country. And while your student visa remains under assessment, chances are you may miss out on the start date of your course. Students with working holiday visas can take up one or more short study programmes in New Zealand for six months.