Published on
August 18, 2025
From September 18, 2025, New Zealand will not accept paper applications for student visas anymore, marking a major move to an entirely digital application process. This is one of the steps in New Zealand’s efforts to modernize its immigration processes with the improved Immigration Online system, also referred to as ADEPT.
New Zealand Transitioning to Online-Only Student Visa Applications
From August 18, 2025, students applying for any of New Zealand’s major student visas, including English Language Student Visas, Exchange Student Visas, Fee-Paying Student Visas, Pathway Student Visas, New Zealand Government Scholarship Student Visas, and Foreign Government Supported Student Visas, will be directed to submit their applications online. This system upgrade is designed to enhance user experience, expedite processing, and ensure that the visa process aligns with global best practices.
Transitioning to ADEPT: What You Need to Know
The Immigration New Zealand platform will automatically redirect applicants to the new digital visa forms. Existing applications that were submitted before August 17, 2025, will still be processed under the old system. Applicants do not need to resubmit their applications, but they will have the opportunity to upload additional documents and respond to any further requests from Immigration New Zealand until a final decision is made.
For those who have not yet submitted their applications but have a draft in the old system, they must submit it before September 17, 2025. If not, they will need to start the application process again on the new ADEPT system. After September 17, all incomplete applications from the old form will be discarded, and no paper applications will be accepted.
Enhanced Work Rights for International Students
In addition to the digitalization of the visa process, New Zealand has announced plans to expand work rights for international students. Starting in November 2025, students on eligible student visas will be permitted to work up to 25 hours per week during their studies, an increase from the previous 20-hour limit. This expansion also includes tertiary students participating in approved exchange or study abroad programs, including one-semester programs.
In the added benefit of expanded work rights for students and the removal of extra visa assessment hurdles for students from specific countries, New Zealand continues to position itself as a leading global destination for international students. The ADEPT system, along with these new policies, reflects New Zealand’s commitment to enhancing its attractiveness as a place to live, work, and study, further strengthening its educational sector and economy.
Growing Demand for New Zealand Education
New Zealand’s student enrollment numbers are steadily recovering to pre-pandemic levels. In 2024, the country saw 83,425 student enrollments, which is 72% of the total in 2019 (115,705). The continued rise in international student interest reflects the country’s high-quality education system and the growing appeal of New Zealand as an educational destination.
International Recognition for Degree Recognition
Recently, New Zealand’s Immigration Department also announced that degrees from countries like India, France, Germany, Italy, Sri Lanka, Singapore, South Korea, Sweden, and Switzerland will be exempt from additional assessment requirements. This move aims to simplify the visa process and attract more students from these countries.
A Modernized Approach to Student Visa
The move towards online-only student visa applications is a significant milestone for New Zealand in bringing its immigration system into compliance with contemporary technological standards. As overseas student numbers increase, the electronic system will streamline the application process, making it more efficient and transparent for students as well as immigration officials.
With the extra advantage of increased work rights for international students and the elimination of additional visa screening barriers for students from certain nations, New Zealand is continuing to become one of the top international student destinations worldwide.
