Applying for a student visa to New Zealand will now look a little different. From today, all international student visa applications are being processed through Immigration New Zealand’s upgraded Immigration Online system known as ADEPT, a system introduced to speed up decisions and cut down on paperwork.
From August 18, applicants for English Language Student Visa, Exchange Student Visa, Fee Paying Student Visa, Pathway Student Visa, New Zealand Government Scholarship Student Visa and Foreign Government Supported Student Visa will be directed automatically to the upgraded online form.
Applications already submitted on or before August 17 through the old system will continue to be processed. Draft applications in the old form must be submitted by September 17, after which all drafts will be deleted.
The Immigration agency confirmed that from September 18, paper applications will no longer be accepted for student visa categories.
In its official announcement, Immigration New Zealand said the move is part of a seven-year programme aimed at transferring all visa categories onto a single digital system. Several visa products, including Visitor Visas, Accredited Employer Work Visas and Permanent Resident Visas, are already processed on the new platform since its introduction in 2021.
“Customers and staff are at the heart of the Our Future Services programme. We are aiming to deliver a simpler, faster and more user-friendly visa application process to reduce waiting times, provide clear communication on application status and increase self-service capabilities so everyone feels more informed and better supported,” Immigration New Zealand stated.
The agency also advised that it is currently in a peak period for student visa processing and urged applicants to apply at least three months before their intended travel date to avoid delays.
Family-related visa products connected to student visas will be moved to the enhanced system over the next year as part of the phased rollout.
From August 18, applicants for English Language Student Visa, Exchange Student Visa, Fee Paying Student Visa, Pathway Student Visa, New Zealand Government Scholarship Student Visa and Foreign Government Supported Student Visa will be directed automatically to the upgraded online form.
Applications already submitted on or before August 17 through the old system will continue to be processed. Draft applications in the old form must be submitted by September 17, after which all drafts will be deleted.
The Immigration agency confirmed that from September 18, paper applications will no longer be accepted for student visa categories.
In its official announcement, Immigration New Zealand said the move is part of a seven-year programme aimed at transferring all visa categories onto a single digital system. Several visa products, including Visitor Visas, Accredited Employer Work Visas and Permanent Resident Visas, are already processed on the new platform since its introduction in 2021.
“Customers and staff are at the heart of the Our Future Services programme. We are aiming to deliver a simpler, faster and more user-friendly visa application process to reduce waiting times, provide clear communication on application status and increase self-service capabilities so everyone feels more informed and better supported,” Immigration New Zealand stated.
The agency also advised that it is currently in a peak period for student visa processing and urged applicants to apply at least three months before their intended travel date to avoid delays.
Family-related visa products connected to student visas will be moved to the enhanced system over the next year as part of the phased rollout.
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