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New Zealand Border Status Updates for International Students

Updated as of July 13, 2022.

Following the New Zealand government’s announcement last February 3, 2022 about their 5-step plan to manage the Covid-19 pandemic, New Zealand is now gradually opening its international borders. Included in this plan is allowing international students to apply for school in New Zealand.

Starting July 31, 2022, interested international students can now apply for a new student visa to study in New Zealand.

The following individuals can enter New Zealand from anywhere in the world and self-test on arrival:

Current temporary work and student visa holders, with a valid visa who can meet their visa requirements (including visa holders currently offshore and those in New Zealand who choose to travel overseas and wish to return)
Up to 5,000 international students for semester 2
Vaccinated and unvaccinated New Zealand citizens and residents
Vaccinated Australian citizens and permanent residents
Unvaccinated Australian citizens who live in New Zealand
Vaccinated travelers with a border exception
Vaccinated travelers on a working holiday scheme
Vaccinated travelers from countries who do not need a visa (visa waiver visitors)
Vaccinated travelers from other countries who already hold a valid visitor visa
Other vaccinated eligible travelers under current border settings

International students applying to study and travel to New Zealand must meet vaccination requirements and must show proof of vaccination before entry. All fully vaccinated travelers are no longer required to go into Managed Isolation and Quarantine, but are still required:

a negative pre-departure test
proof of being fully vaccinated
a passenger declaration about travel history
take 2 rapid antigen tests on day 0/1 and day 5/6 upon arrival to New Zealand

Meanwhile, you can apply for a vaccination exemption at the New Zealand Ministry of Health, along with evidence of why you need one if you meet qualifications