AUT - Student visas and permits

If you are an international student you are required by law to hold a valid visa for the duration of your academic study at AUT. This page tells you how to apply for a visa, what kind you need and the services we offer to help you with your application.

The New Zealand Government requires all international students to have a valid visa for the duration of their academic study at AUT.

All new students must show AUT University a copy of their valid visa to study at AUT no later than semester start.

All returning students must show AUT University a copy of their valid visa to study at AUT no later than Monday 31 March 2012.

If you have any questions about the Visas on Campus Service, contact the International Student Support Service

There are consequences of not having a valid visa to study at AUT.

To ensure you have a valid visa to study at AUT, we will send you reminders prior to the start of the semester. Please submit your visa application as soon as possible.

If you do not hold a valid visa, AUT will:

• Send you a final warning on the day that semester starts 
• Suspend your services after one day of semester
• Send you another warning notice on day 2 of semester, confirming we have suspended your access to services at AUT
• After 14 days, we will withdraw you from your programme of study, cancel all your enrolment into papers, and arrange a refund for you
• Immigration New Zealand will be notified

International student defined

You are an international student if you are:

• not a citizen or permanent resident of New Zealand, or
• not a citizen or permanent resident of Australia, or
• not a citizen of the Cook Islands, Niue or Tokelau

Student visa details

Should show the correct programme and institute of study details (i.e. Bachelor of Business at AUT University) and is needed for you to complete your enrolment.

It is your responsibility to ensure that your visa and permit is valid throughout the duration of your study at AUT. 

Immigration medical examination

Many of you will be required to provide a medical and x-ray certificate when you apply for a visa to come to New Zealand for the first time. A medical and x-ray certificate is usually required every 24 months. However, Immigration New Zealand may request it from you at any point.

AUT's health, wellbeing and counselling service can assist you with obtaining a medical certificate for your visa and permit application. They are located at both the North Shore and City campuses.

They can provide immigration medicals for international students and staff.

• Immigration medicals take at least a week to be completed. You will require an appointment with the nurse who will do an assessment and arrange for your testing off-site
• Following your blood tests and chest x-ray you will require an appointment with our doctor
• Please bring your passport, immigration medical forms and glasses or contacts if you wear them
• The cost for an AUT student is NZ$140 for the nurse and doctor appointment combined
• The blood test is approximately $100.00, the chest x-ray is $70.00 to NZ$80
• Immigration medicals are not covered by your insurance
  

Health, wellbeing and counselling centre locations, contact details and opening hours

Full-time working visas and permanent residency

If you have long terms plans that involve applying for permanent residency or a full-time work visa/permit because you have obtained a job offer, you can get forms and advice directly from Immigration New Zealand.

If you’re thinking of employing an immigration consultant to assist you with your full-time working and/or permanent residency visa applications here are some useful tips

• Use a licensed adviser - ask questions about their credentials
• Immigration applications are not necessarily expensive - you may not need the services of an agent
• Read all documentation before signing and always obtain a receipt for any money paid
• Do not sign a blank application form - ever
• Be honest - providing false or misleading information may lead to an application being declined and is an offence under the Immigration Act (which could lead to serious consequences to your future in New Zealand)

Immigration New Zealand

Immigration New Zealand can help you with all aspects of your visa application, especially before you leave your home country. They will be able to help you with many aspects of obtaining a visa, such as:

• Your visa eligibility
• Terms and conditions of gaining a visa
• The visa application process

Visit the Immigration New Zealand website to find out specific details