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Home / New Zealand Student Visa Sri Lanka
Sri Lankan students need a New Zealand student visa, commonly the Fee Paying Student Visa, for full-time courses longer than three months. We help you choose an approved institution, meet the funds rules and show genuine study intentions.
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To apply, you need an Offer of Place from an NZQA-approved institution, evidence of funds, and health and travel insurance. Refusals most often come down to weak or unverifiable funds, or unclear study intentions, not academic ability.
Living costs per year to show in 2026, in addition to tuition fees and return airfare.
Eligible students can now work up to 25 hours per week during term.
Post-Study Work Visa for graduates of Level 7 (bachelor’s degree) and higher programmes.
A New Zealand student visa allows international students to study full-time at an approved education provider. Most Sri Lankan students apply for the Fee Paying Student Visa, for those paying their own tuition at an NZQA-approved institution. A student visa is required for any full-time course lasting more than three months.
You must show genuine, accessible funds across three categories: tuition, living costs, and return travel. The living-cost amount is in addition to your tuition fees and return airfare. A common and preferred way to show living costs is the Funds Transfer Scheme (FTS), where you transfer the required funds to an approved New Zealand bank account, released to you in instalments after you arrive. Bank statements, an education loan, or a genuine sponsor are also accepted.
Financial evidence is the top refusal reason: Immigration New Zealand scrutinises the amount, source, and stability of your funds closely. Unclear, inflated, or unverifiable funds are the leading reason for student visa refusals. We review your financial documents carefully before you apply.
Work rights are shown as conditions on your visa. Your primary purpose in New Zealand must remain study.
Graduates of eligible Level 7 (bachelor’s degree) and higher qualifications may apply for a Post-Study Work Visa of up to three years with open work rights. Settings change periodically; skilled work and residence are handled through separate processes, and our guidance here is general information rather than a residence service.
Applications are generally made online through Immigration New Zealand. Where required, biometrics are provided in person in Colombo at the VFS Global visa application centre.
We understand your study goals, background, budget, and timeline, and help you plan the right intake.
We help you shortlist NZQA-approved providers and courses and work towards an Offer of Place.
A personalised checklist covering your Offer of Place, funds, insurance, and English.
We review your documents, especially proof of funds and their source, before submission.
We assist with your online application, ensuring details are accurate and consistent.
We guide you through biometrics at the VFS Global centre in Colombo, where required.
We help you monitor your application and advise on arrival, work rights, and post-study options.
If your student visa was declined, review the reasons carefully, correct the specific concerns, and prepare a stronger, consistent application. The Visa Central can review previous refusals and guide you where genuinely possible.
Varies by course, provider, and completeness, commonly from a few weeks to a couple of months. Apply well ahead of your course start and check Immigration New Zealand’s current processing times.
Confirm on the INZ fee tool before paying.
No visa consultant in Sri Lanka, or anywhere else, can guarantee a visa. Any consultancy that promises guaranteed approval should be treated with caution. The final decision always rests with Immigration New Zealand (INZ).
What we do promise is professional preparation, clear advice and honest guidance at every step.
Planning to study in New Zealand? Download our free Student Visa Roadmap 2026 and understand the key documents, funds, and steps generally required for Sri Lankan applicants.
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Yes. Any full-time course longer than three months requires a New Zealand student visa. Most students apply for the Fee Paying Student Visa.
An Offer of Place is a confirmed offer from an NZQA-approved education provider. You generally need it before applying for a student visa.
The New Zealand Qualifications Authority approves and quality-assures education providers and courses. Only NZQA-approved providers can support a student visa application.
You must show NZD $20,000 per year for living costs (or NZD $1,667 per month for courses shorter than a year), in addition to tuition fees and return airfare. Confirm the current figure with INZ.
The FTS lets you transfer your required living-cost funds to an approved New Zealand bank account, which is released to you in instalments after you arrive. It is a preferred way to show living costs.
Yes. Eligible students can now work up to 25 hours per week during term (up from 20), and generally full-time during scheduled breaks, as shown on your visa conditions.
Yes. You must hold acceptable health and travel insurance for the full duration of your student visa.
It depends on your course and provider. As general guidance, diploma and undergraduate courses often expect around IELTS 6.0, and postgraduate courses around IELTS 6.5, or equivalent.
Graduates of Level 7 (bachelor’s degree) and higher programmes may apply for a Post-Study Work Visa of up to three years with open work rights. Only one such visa may be granted.
It varies by course and completeness and commonly ranges from a few weeks to a couple of months. Check the current processing time and apply well ahead of your intake.
In many cases, yes. Biometrics are given at the VFS Global visa application centre in Colombo, where required.
Yes, sponsor or family funds are acceptable if properly documented with genuine, verifiable financial evidence and relationship proof.
A medical certificate or chest X-ray is generally required for courses longer than 12 months, and a police certificate for longer stays.
A student visa is for full-time courses longer than three months; a visitor visa allows only short study of up to three months.
Partner and dependent-child options exist but have specific requirements and have tightened in recent years. Check the current settings for your situation.
Review the reasons carefully, correct the specific concerns with stronger evidence, and prepare a consistent new application before reapplying. We can review your refusal and guide you where possible.
We provide professional guidance, document support, application assistance, and submission guidance based on the service package you select.
No. No consultancy can guarantee a visa. The final decision is made only by Immigration New Zealand.
Because we focus on transparency, genuine advice, careful course selection, and professional review of your financial evidence, without false promises.
Speak with The Visa Central for professional guidance before you apply.