Top Reasons for New Zealand Student Visa Rejection
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New Zealand is one of those countries where a significant amount of Indian students are studying. According to the official data by MEA India, 7,300 Indian students are in New Zealand. It is expected that this number will increase in the upcoming number. Every year thousands of Indian students apply for New Zealand student visas but many of them face rejection.
There are multiple reasons behind New Zealand Student Visa Rejection such as incomplete application, insufficient funds, and non-proficiency in the English language. Students who are planning to apply for it, should take these reasons into consideration to avoid rejection for their visa. In this article, we have covered New Zealand student visa rejection reasons, so you can prepare for it.
Reasons for Student Visa Rejection in New Zealand
There are numerous reasons as to why a student visa may be rejected by the New Zealand Government starting from furnishing relevant documents to providing evidence to ensure the credibility of the information provided. Following is a list of reasons which may result in the rejection of a student visa in New Zealand:
Non-Fulfilment of English Proficiency Requirements
Students are required to provide their English language proficiency test scores and university offer letters for the student visa. Candidates should be careful to see the university requirements and visa requirements and apply for their student visa. IELTS and TOEFL are common English language tests that candidates can opt for. After successfully applying for the student visa a lot of times the candidate may be denied the student visa due to reasons that are notified to them.
Most universities abroad also require students to provide proof of their English proficiency by appearing for one of the many competitive examinations available. They include IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE. Candidates are required to check the English language proficiency requirement of their university and apply for the same. Authorities verifying your student visa application are very particular about your English language skills. Since the maximum of the communication, be it in the university or at the country level are done in English it is important that the student is comfortable with English.
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Insufficient Funds for Study or Stay in New Zealand
If applicants are unable to provide evidence for their expenses, this may also prove to be a mjor reason for student visa rejection by New Zealand authorities. In order to avoid such gaps, applicants must submit their bank statements not more than 6 months old, the applicants can also give details of the guaranter - an immediate family member only. In case of a new bank account, applicants can also submit:
- Education loan sanction letter from a recognised financial institution.
- Stock transaction reports, or
- Sale of property agreements.
Not Up to The Mark Visa Interview
Candidates should not fret as every country has in its discretionary powers to either reject or grant visas. Candidates whose visa applications have been rejected should only take this as a hurdle and not the end of their application. As a visa is refused does not mean the candidate cannot apply again. He should see where his faults lie with his visa application and apply again after the window period established by the New Zealand visa authorities. However, we are going to elucidate some of the common mistakes that are often the reason for a candidate's student visa being rejected and how to avoid them.
Need more tips related to Visa Applications?
Check out: Interview Tips for Student Visa
Inadequate Documents Attached in the Application
As mentioned earlier during the student visa application process students are required to submit a number of documents. Candidates should thoroughly check the official website of the New Zealand student visa page for all the documents the students are required to submit. Candidates should strictly provide all the documents mentioned and in order. Students should be careful not to submit fraudulent documents as this would lead to the cancellation of their application.
Untrue Intentions of Studying in New Zealand
Through the visa application process and the visa, interview candidates should be able to prove to the authorities that their sole purpose of entering the country is to study and be a rule-abiding person who would only be an asset to the country.
Criminal Background
In case it is found that the student applying for a student visa in New Zealand has a criminal background, he/she may be rejected for their student visa. The applicant may be liable to get blacklisted in future if not chosen to reveal these bits of information also. Thus, it is always better to reveal the trial details and elaborate upon the offence committed so that the authorities are aware of it beforehand. The criminal offences could include:
- Convicted of an offence and were sentenced to imprisonment for 5 years or more.
- Convicted in the last 10 years of an offence and sentenced for imprisonment 1 year or above.
- In case the applicant is prohibited from entering New Zealand, or
- If he/she is removed, excluded or deported from any country, which includes New Zealand.
Hence, a student visa may not be granted by New Zealand if the applicant intends to commit an offence in New Zealand which may result in imprisonment for being:
- A risk to New Zealand's security or
- A threat to public order or
- A risk to the public interest.
One of the major reasons for candidates to choose New Zealand is its favourable post-study period. This period allows students on a student visa to find employment and convert their student visa to an employment visa. This is a very lucrative advantage and is favoured by all. However, if the student visa issuing authority is under the impression that the candidate will not be able to fit into their workspace, provide international-level work ethics and is not professionally sound in English the student visa is automatically denied as the candidate would not get maximum ROI out of it.
The country has over the years witnessed a lot of students who travel to the country on a student visa and overstay their welcome. They exceed their stay period illegally and are often up to no good. This reflects a bad image of the new students who are entering the process. The repercussion includes the visa issuing authorities and the system as a whole has become much more stringent.
If your Visa application has been rejected once, you might want to refer: What to do if your student Visa gets rejected?
For help with university applications or any other query related to study abroad, students can contact our Shiksha Study Abroad Counsellors. The comments section below allows candidates to contact us as well.
Q: Â Is New Zealand good for Indian students?
Q: Â What is the acceptance rate for Lincoln University New Zealand?
According to various unofficial sources, Lincoln University New Zealand acceptance rate is around 60%. The acceptance rate indicated that the university is moderately selective at the time of admission. So, to get into the university, make sure to have a good academic record and meet the entry requirements such as having 12 years of schooling and minimum percentage for admission to bachelor’s courses. For admission to postgraduate courses, a relevant degree is required with the minimum grade.
Q: Â Which course is better, Master in Management or Master in Project Management at the University of Auckland, New Zealand?
The University of Auckland offers the best UG and PG programs for international students at an affordable tuition fees. Auckland Unversity Master in Project Management is slightly better than the Master in Management because of its tuition fees for first year. Mentioned below is the tuition fees for first-year for international students:
| Program | First Year Tuition Fees |
|---|---|
| Master in Project Management | INR 25.11 L |
| Master in Management | INR 26.11 L |
Q: Â Why choose WITT College in New Zealand?
A few of the reasons to choose WITT New Zealand are:
- A wide range of programme options available for international students such as Certificate, Diploma, Bachelor’s, Master’s
- Application steps are quite easy for international students
- Students will get to experience hands-on practical education which involves work placements, industry projects and internships
- On-campus accommodation facility is available to WITT international students
- Many courses include up to 400 hours of workplace-based internships
Q: Â How good is Lincoln University New Zealand?
Lincoln University New Zealand has received QS 5 stars for its teaching, employability, global engagement, research, facilities, etc. Furthermore, in 2025, as per a top-ranking publisher, the university has been placed at #371 position. In short, it has retained its global position in the Top 25% of universities. Furthermore, a wide range of scholarship opportunities are available to international students.
Q: Â Is getting part-time jobs easy while studying at Whitireia New Zealand?
Yes, getting part time job is very easy while studying at Whiteria New Zealand. One can find part-time employment online, off campus, or on campus. Jobs on campus, such as tutoring or working as a student assistant at the library, are competitive but handy. Off-campus positions like waiter or retail sales associate are available on the independent work market. Remote employment is possible with online part-time positions like virtual assistant or freelance content writer.
Q: Â Is Manukau Institute of Technology, New Zealand a better option than IIT Indore, India for doing B.Tech?
Comparing Manukau Institute of Technology (MIT) in New Zealand with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Indore in India is a matter of personal choice influenced by various factors. IITs in India, like IIT Indore, are renowned globally for their excellent academics and research. They're known for being highly competitive with tough admission processes. MIT, however, might not have the same level of international recognition as the IITs and may be more regionally known. Opting for MIT could offer exposure to a different education system and a chance for cultural diversity on an international level. Still, IIT Indore also draws a diverse student community, offering possibilities for international collaborations through exchange programs or research ventures.
Q: Â What is it like to study at Lincoln University New Zealand?
Some of the reasons that make Lincoln University a good university to study are:
- The lecturers of the university are actively involved with the industry in the areas they teach. This means students can learn what is happening in the world right now
- The classes at the university are small. So, students can have interaction with other fellow students
- Many of the programs at the university have a strong component of practical experience
Also Read: Top 7 Reasons to Study in New Zealand
Raj Vimal has experience of 7+ years in SEO Content Writing, which includes 5+ years in the Ed-Tech industry. He has written articles about studying abroad, especially in the USA, UK, and other English-speaking coun... Read Full Bio
Armed with B.Com from Delhi University, Anuradha Sharma has accumulated rich experience as an education counsellor. She is especially adept at handling Australia and NZ admission procedure. Before becoming a GTE Exp... Read Full Bio
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With a good educational system, excellent quality of life, and a number of research opportunities, New Zealand offers a lot to international students. Auckland, the largest city in New Zealand has a 39 percent population of overseas citizens, making it a culturally diverse city. Moreover, the post-study work visa in New Zealand can offer up to three years of stay back. As per Stats New Zealand, its unemployment rate is 3.4 percent. Students enrolled in a course of 12 months or more can also work part-time in New Zealand for up to 20 hours a week during the semester and holidays.