Insurance and Student Visa

Immigration NZ issues visas for overseas people wanting to travel or stay in New Zealand. Every international student must have a valid visa before coming to New Zealand to study.

Full details of visa requirements, advice on rights to employment in New Zealand while studying, and reporting requirements are available through Immigration NZ, and can be viewed on their website.

You should apply for a visa as soon as you have been accepted for a course of study. Contact Immigration NZ for details and documents.

A student visa is required for a course of longer than 12 weeks duration. If you are studying a 10 week English course, you may enter New Zealand on a visitor's visa. Any other course will require you to obtain a student visa before you leave home, or a student visa once you are in New Zealand.

When you arrive at the airport in New Zealand, your passport will be stamped with a student visa, providing everything is in order. While in New Zealand you must keep this visa valid. If your visa expires, you could be asked to leave the country. You must not start a course other than that stated on your visa without the permission of your institution and Immigration NZ. Advise Immigration NZ if you change your address or course of study, or if there is any other change in your circumstances.

Visas are usually issued for the length of time that your fees are paid for.

Travel and medical insurance for studying in New Zealand

Ara requires all international students to have comprehensive travel and medical insurance. This is a legal requirement under the NZ Ministry of Education Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students.

Ara's preferred insurance provider is Studentsafe, who have specifically tailored their policy to meet the needs of Ara students. You can purchase the Studentsafe policy at Information and Enrolments or email intladmissions@ara.ac.nz. 

Duration of insurance policy

Period of Cover

Cover under this plan applies while you are enrolled at Ara.

Commencement of Cover

For students travelling to New Zealand cover starts 31 days before the commencement date of your course. For students already resident in New Zealand, the period of insurance starts on the later of 16 days before you start your course of study or on the day your existing compliant insurance expires.

End of Cover

Returning students - Your cover ends on the earliest of the following:

• the date you arrive in your Country of Origin;
• 150 days after the completion of your course;
• the expiry date of your Student Visa;
• the date you withdraw from your course of study and leave New Zealand;
• the date when you are being repatriated under this policy to your Country of Origin; or
• any date that we have otherwise agreed or notified in writing; provided the annual premium has been paid in your final year of study.

All other students - Your cover ends on the earliest of the following:

• the date you arrive in your Country of Origin;
• the expiry date of your Student Visa;
• the date you withdraw from your course of study and leave New Zealand;
• the date when you are being repatriated under this policy to your Country of Origin; or
• any date that we have otherwise agreed or notified in writing;
  provided the appropriate premium has been paid.

Further information about travel and medical insurance can be found on the Insurance Safe NZ website.

Please note: Students previously covered through policies with Interglobal will have their policies remain valid until the expiry date. All new student enrolments from 1 January will be covered by Allianz and billed accordingly. Students who paid for insurance prior to 31 December 2015 will be covered by Interglobal.

Related forms

• Studentsafe Medical Risk Assessment Form (PDF 0.2MB)
• Studentsafe Inbound Learners Policy (PDF 2.9MB)
• Studentsafe - General information for Ara Students (PDF 0.9MB)