What is the amount of funds required to show for a New Zealand student visa, including tuition fees and living expenses?
You must show funds covering your first-year tuition, a minimum NZD 20,000 for one year of living costs, and about NZD 2,000 for return travel. Together this typically totals roughly Rs 23 to 32 lakh, and many students route the living-cost portion through the Funds Transfer Scheme before arrival.
Your New Zealand student visa application hinges on proving you can cover three specific costs, not just a vague savings figure. You need your full first-year tuition, a fixed living-expense amount, and your return travel cost, all backed by clean, verifiable documents. Immigration New Zealand checks the source of your money as closely as the total.
Total Fund Requirement Breakdown
| Expense Category | Required Amount (NZD) | Estimated Amount (Rs) |
|---|---|---|
| Living expenses | 20,000 per year (or 1,667 per month) | ~10 to 11 lakh |
| Tuition fees | Full first-year fee | ~12 to 20 lakh+ |
| Return travel | ~2,000 | ~1 lakh |
Acceptable Evidence Of Funds
- Bank statements showing 3 to 6 months of savings history, with any large deposits explained.
- An approved education loan sanction letter from your bank.
- Fixed deposit certificates held for at least 6 months.
- Sponsorship undertakings from immediate family members.
My Advice
If you are from India, expect Immigration New Zealand to ask you to route your NZD 20,000 living-cost portion through the Funds Transfer Scheme into a New Zealand bank before you fly out. Share your course duration and university with your counsellor so your exact fund breakdown and sponsor eligibility can be confirmed.
More expert answers
You’ll need to budget for both visa fees and living expenses for your dependents in New Zealand. Here’s a typical breakdown (figures are subject to change):
- Partner’s Work Visa: NZD 1,630 (visa fee)
- Dependent Child Resident Visa: NZD 3,230 (visa fee)
- Dependent Child Student Visa: NZD 750 (visa fee)
- Living expenses: NZD 7,000/year per dependent child (no separate funds needed for partner if included in your application)
- Additional costs: NZD 600 - 1,200 (medical exam, police certificate, biometrics, etc.)
For one partner: estimate NZD 8,230 - 9,830 (visa, living, and extras).
For one dependent child (student visa): estimate NZD 8,350 - 8,950.
These amounts are approximate and may change.
You’ll typically need NZD 53,520 to NZD 77,580 for your first year in New Zealand as a student. This covers tuition, living expenses, health insurance, visa fees, and outward travel.
- Tuition fees: NZD 30,000 - 55,000/year (varies by program)
- Living expenses: NZD 20,000/year (required by Immigration New Zealand)
- Health insurance: NZD 670 - 730/year
- Visa application fee: NZD 850 (subject to change)
- Outward travel: NZD 2,000 (if not pre-booked)
All funds must be genuine, accessible, and verifiable.
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