Study in New Zealand with No Visa Fee in 2025
Get a Student Visa full refund (up to NZD 850)
Are you over 32 years old on a student visa?
Is your 485 visa expiring soon?
If you feel like you're running out of visa options in Australia, consider New Zealand as a great next step.
If you choose to study in New Zealand instead, you can:
Continue your postgraduate study
Stay connected to Australasian opportunities.
Keep your PR and career options open in Australia
And with your NZ student visa fee reimbursed, this choice is now more cost-effective.
Get a full refund on your NZ Student Visa fee (NZD 850)
Here’s what you’ll get:
100% NZ Student Visa Fee Reimbursement (worth NZD 850)
NZD 20 e-gift card
This offer lasts until December 31, 2025, only.
Why study in New Zealand if you’re on a Temporary Visa in Australia?
You’re probably thinking: “Why should I move to New Zealand instead of just applying for a new visa in Australia?”
If your 485 visa is about to expire, time might not be on your side.
Getting a skilled or employer-sponsored visa in Australia can take months (or more).
That’s why New Zealand could be a great backup plan.
It’s close, affordable, fast-moving, and gives you a real chance to keep studying, keep working, and stay on a path to residency.
Hear it from international students who successfully studied in New Zealand with IDP
"I came to New Zealand as an English student two years ago. My goal has shifted from being able to have a conversation in English with native speakers to getting a career and being able to work in New Zealand. As a lot of confusion happened during the time of shifting, it was such a fortune to know the IDP team through the internet, especially Chris, who followed and assisted my case, particularly. Big thanks to you, Chris. I really appreciate your dedicated work. You are such a responsible person. I was doubtful at first, to be honest, because all is done by email and phone calls, but you always calmed me down by being reachable. I am grateful for that. Hope to have a chance to say thanks to you in person when my course is finished. Bless you and all the team.” - Da Phung |
Why New Zealand could be a great choice
Globally recognised education system | Simpler PR | Keeps doors open to Australia |
|---|---|---|
All 8 NZ universities rank in the top 3% worldwide. | Green List courses can lead straight to residence. No points test required. | NZ citizens can live and work in Australia with no visa. Thanks to the Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangement. |
NZ has faster visa processing + lower costs
If your 485 is expiring soon, you need fast results. | Lower student visa fees | You can apply with a conditional Offer of Place |
|---|---|---|
New Zealand student visas are processed in as little as 1–2 months. | - A New Zealand student visa costs NZ$850. - That’s less than half the cost of an Australian student visa (A$1,600). - With IDP, you can even get your NZ student visa fully reimbursed. | With a conditional Offer of Place, you can apply for your NZ student visa while finishing requirements like grades, payments, or English results. That means less delay and no risk of a study gap if your AU visa is running out. |
Study in NZ now, apply for PSWV later and get amazing benefits
Stay up to 3 more years
Work in any job, for any employer (if you’re a degree graduate (Level 7 or above)).
Bring your partner on a work visa, and let your children study as domestic students
immigration.govt.nz/visas/post-study-work-visa/
Think living in New Zealand is more expensive?
According to Livingcost, a crowdsourced database that compares costs of living around the world, living in Australia is 20% more expensive than in New Zealand.
Monthly cost of living comparison in major cities
Auckland | Sydney |
|---|---|
NZD 1,844.70 (USD 1,080.75) | AUD 2,619 (USD 1,701.24 ) |
Think tuition is expensive? Many scholarships are waiting for you!
New Zealand scholarships for postgraduate international students
Scholarship Name | Value | Institution | Study Level | Specification |
Faculty of Engineering and Design Student Support Award | Up to $2,500 | University of Auckland | Undergraduate or Postgraduate | Students experiencing financial hardship |
AUT International Scholarships – South Asia | $5,000 (UG), $7,000 (PG) tuition fee contribution | Auckland University of Technology (AUT) | Bachelor’s, Postgraduate (excluding doctoral) | High-achieving students from South Asia |
Vice Chancellor's International Excellence Scholarship | Up to NZD $15,000 towards tuition fees | University of Waikato | Bachelor’s, Postgraduate | New international students beginning in-person studies at Waikato |
Find more scholarships here
Not sure where to start? Our friendly education counsellors can help you!
How the Offer Works
Apply for your NZ student visa with IDP.
Apply for your NZ course with an IDP Australian-based counsellor.
Once your visa is approved and your enrollment starts:
You'll receive your full student visa fee refund as a form of e-gift card from our IDP Australian-based counsellors.
You can claim your NZD 20 e-gift card at the IDP Auckland office
Learn more about how this offer works in the terms and conditions at the bottom of this page.
FAQs
1. Can I really get my student visa for free?
Yes! If you apply to study in New Zealand and your visa and enrolment are approved, you’ll get your entire NZ student visa fee reimbursed (worth $850 NZD) plus a $20 e-gift card. No hidden costs. Just real support for your next move.
2. My visa in Australia is still valid. Should I consider moving now?
If your 485 visa expires in the next 6 months, this is the perfect time to plan ahead. Don’t wait until your options narrow. New Zealand offers clearer pathways, especially for in-demand fields.
3. Why move to NZ when I could just reapply in Australia?
Reapplying in Australia can be costly and uncertain. New Zealand offers a simpler, more affordable path to world-class education and straightforward PR pathways. Plus, this offer helps reduce upfront costs even more.
4. Who is this offer for?
This is ideal for:
Students in Australia aged 32 and above
485 visa holders nearing expiry
Those interested in the Green List and popular NZ courses in areas like teaching, IT, business informatics, engineering, nursing, social work and healthcare.
5. How long do I have to apply?
This promotion is only available from 26 May to 31 December 2025. Once your visa is granted and you begin your studies (Sept–Nov 2025 or early 2026 intakes), you’ll receive your reimbursement.
Got more questions? Find out how this offer can help you.
Don't Miss Your Chance to Get Your NZ Student Visa for Free
Secure your NZ student visa today.
This offer ends on December 31, 2025.
Terms & Conditions
Promotion period: from now till 31 Dec 2025
This document sets out the terms relating to:
Student visa fee refund (valued at NZD850)in the form of an e-gift card, and
NZD 20 e-gift card collection from the IDP Auckland office
Visa Fee Refund as e-Gift Card
IDP Education will offer a refund of the New Zealand student visa application fee (valued at NZD850) in the form of an e-gift card to eligible students who meet all the criteria outlined below.
To be eligible for this promotion, the student must:
Be an international student currently based in Australia.
Apply and accept a New Zealand education course through an IDP Australia-based counsellor
Receive visa approval and
Commence their course of study with the New Zealand institution.
The visa fee refund will be issued as an e-gift card once confirmation of course commencement is received and verified by the IDP Education counsellor.
The NZD850 e-gift card will be sent directly to the student by their IDP Australia-based counsellor.
The visa fee refund is applicable for one student visa application per eligible student only.
IDP Education reserves the right to change or cancel this offer without prior notice. Final eligibility is at the sole discretion of IDP Education.
NZD20 e-Gift Card Collection at IDP Auckland
Eligible students may also collect a NZD 20 e-gift card from the IDP Auckland office.
This gift card is available to international students who:
a. Applied and accepted for their New Zealand course via IDP Australia, and
b. Have commenced their studies in New Zealand.Each eligible student is entitled to one (1) NZD 20 e-gift card only.
No cash alternative will be provided. Unclaimed gift cards will be forfeited.
General Conditions
IDP Education shall not be liable for any loss, damage, or injury sustained as a result of this promotion.
IDP Education reserves the right to change the Terms and Conditions without prior notice. No further correspondence will be entered into.
IDP Education collects personal information in accordance with its Privacy Policy: https://www.idp.com/australia/privacy-policy