Study in New Zealand from Nepal: Visa Fee, Funds, Work 2026

To study in New Zealand from Nepal you need an offer from an approved provider, proof of tuition payment, and NZD 20,000 for each year of living costs (NZD 1,667 a month for courses under a year), and you apply online for a Fee Paying Student Visa. Immigration New Zealand’s fees guide lists NZD 750 for a student visa for Nepali applicants, eligible students can work up to 25 hours a week during study, and graduates may qualify for a post-study work visa of up to 3 years.

Last checked: 20 October 2026. Amounts are in New Zealand dollars; we have not converted them to rupees because we did not have an official NRB rate for NZD on this date.

Study in New Zealand from Nepal: key facts

New Zealand student visa fee for Nepali applicants

Immigration New Zealand (INZ) charges fees by “band”, based on your nationality. Nepal is in Band C (rest of world). The INZ fees guide dated May 2026 lists a student visa at NZD 485 plus an immigration levy of NZD 265, which comes to NZD 750. The guide marks the tourism levy (IVL) column with an asterisk and tells applicants to check the INZ fees page to see if it applies. Use INZ’s online fee finder before you pay, because the final figure is what the system shows you.

How much money you need to show

INZ’s student fund requirements set the living-cost amounts for tertiary, English language and other non-school study:

• NZD 20,000 per year if you are studying for a year or more.
• NZD 1,667 per month if your study is shorter than a year.
• Plus money for your outward travel: a fully paid ticket out of New Zealand, or enough extra funds to buy one.

This is on top of your tuition. INZ expects evidence of tuition payment, and says screenshots of bank transfers and receipts from education agents are not acceptable as proof.

What counts as evidence of funds

• Bank statements showing the account holder’s name and the last 3 months of transactions.
• Term deposit (fixed deposit) certificates showing the money has been held for at least 3 months.
• Scholarship letters, education loan letters or withdrawable provident funds.
• A sponsor, who completes INZ’s online sponsor form and shows they can afford it, for example with recent bank statements or payslips.
• A financial undertaking on form INZ 1014 from a guarantor, with 3 months of bank statements or bank confirmation.

INZ says deposits over NZD 2,000 may need an explanation with supporting documents. If you have already paid tuition, your funds evidence should be dated after that payment, so the officer can see the living-cost money is still there.

The Funds Transfer Scheme for Nepali students

Nepal is one of six countries whose students can use the Funds Transfer Scheme (FTS). It is an INZ-approved way of moving your living-cost money to New Zealand as part of the visa process, and INZ’s funds page lists it alongside bank statements and sponsor evidence. INZ is clear that using FTS “does not guarantee approval”. The deadline to complete the steps after approval in principle is usually 15 days under FTS, compared with 10 days for other approvals in principle, so have the money ready before you reach that stage.

Sending a large amount out of Nepal involves your bank and the education-related paperwork. Our NOC for study abroad guide covers the Nepal side.

Step by step: applying from Nepal

1. Get an offer of place from a New Zealand education provider.
2. Pay tuition and keep the provider’s official receipt.
3. Prepare funds evidence for NZD 20,000 a year, or decide to use the Funds Transfer Scheme.
4. Apply online for a Fee Paying Student Visa and pay the fee shown by the system.
5. Respond to any requests from INZ, such as more financial documents.
6. If you get approval in principle, complete the remaining steps (for example, the FTS transfer) within the deadline INZ gives you.
7. Receive your visa and check the conditions, especially your work rights.

Work rights: 25 hours a week

INZ announced that from 3 November 2025, eligible tertiary students can work up to 25 hours a week during study, up from 20. The higher limit applies to new student visas granted from that date. Students already holding a 20-hour visa do not switch automatically; they need a variation of conditions (NZD 325) or a new student visa.

Under INZ’s amended instructions, you can be eligible if, for example, you are studying full time:

• on a programme of at least two academic years, or
• towards a New Zealand qualification at level 4 or higher (micro-credentials do not count), or
• on certain approved exchange, Study Abroad or longer English language programmes.

INZ also notes that most student visas already allow full-time work during summer and other scheduled breaks. Your own visa conditions are what count, so read them. Compare these rules with other countries in our part-time work rules guide.

After study: the Post Study Work Visa

The Post Study Work Visa lets you stay and work for up to 3 years, depending on your qualification and how long you studied. Key points from INZ:

• Degree-level qualifications (level 7 or higher) must have been studied full time in New Zealand for at least 30 weeks.
• Non-degree qualifications must be on INZ’s eligible list and studied for the full required duration.
• You need at least NZD 5,000 for living expenses.
• Apply generally no later than 3 months after your student visa expires.
• The fee starts at NZD 1,670.
• INZ says that from 16 November 2026, eligibility extends to some level 7 graduate diplomas and bachelor’s degrees.

If you are considering a graduate diploma, read our detailed guide to the NZ post-study work visa for graduate diplomas before you choose your course. The course you pick now decides your options later.

Common mistakes Nepali applicants make

• Showing an agent’s receipt as proof of tuition payment. INZ does not accept it.
• Depositing large sums just before applying without explaining where they came from.
• Choosing a course below level 4, or a short course, and then expecting work rights.
• Picking a non-degree course without checking that it qualifies for a post-study work visa.
• Assuming the FTS means automatic approval.

Frequently asked questions

How much bank balance is required for a New Zealand student visa from Nepal?
NZD 20,000 for each year of study (or NZD 1,667 a month for shorter courses) for living costs, plus your tuition and a ticket home or money to buy one.

What is the New Zealand student visa fee for Nepali students?
INZ’s May 2026 fees guide lists NZD 485 plus a NZD 265 levy for Band C, which includes Nepal. Check INZ’s fee tool for whether the tourism levy also applies.

Can Nepali students use the Funds Transfer Scheme for New Zealand?
Yes. INZ lists Nepal as one of the countries eligible for the FTS, but it does not guarantee approval.

How many hours can international students work in New Zealand?
Eligible students granted a visa from 3 November 2025 can work up to 25 hours a week during study, and most can work full time in scheduled breaks.

How long is the post-study work visa in New Zealand?
Up to 3 years, depending on your qualification level and how long you studied in New Zealand.

Your next step

Compare New Zealand with other destinations · Study in Australia from Nepal · Bank balance needed by country

Related guides

• Study in Ireland from Nepal: €10,000 Funds, Stamp 2 and 1G
• Study in the Netherlands from Nepal: MVV, Funds, Work 2026
• Study in South Korea from Nepal: D-2, D-4 Visa and Work Rules
• Student Visa Checklist by Country: USA, Canada, UK, Australia
• Choose a Course and University Abroad: 15-Point Checklist

Sources

• Fees guide, May 2026 – Immigration New Zealand
• Student fund requirements – Immigration New Zealand
• Changes to student visa work rights – Immigration New Zealand
• Amendment Circular 2025-39 (student work conditions) – Immigration New Zealand
• Post Study Work Visa – Immigration New Zealand

Last checked 20 October 2026. This is general information, not immigration or financial advice. Check Immigration New Zealand before you apply or pay.