Immigration to New Zealand. Photo: RNZ
International students are being warned they may miss the start of their course next year if they do not apply early for a visa.
And tourists are being told they too should get their visa soon if they need one.
Immigration New Zealand (INZ) said it receives the highest volumes of applications over the summer, including for student and visitor visas.
It said it advised students last year to apply at least four months ahead of their intended travel date, but many did not.
INZ director student visa Celia Coombes said leaving an application too late could mean students miss out.
She encouraged students to get their applications in three months before they intended to fly, including all documents and funds assessment information.
"Not having your application in early with all the required documents, including a valid Offer of Place, means you might not be able to start your intended course and can be incredibly disappointing," she said.
INZ said 40 percent of student applications from the country's two main education markets, India and China, were last year sent within six weeks of students' intended travel dates, and six percent of those were submitted a week or less before travel.
Student visa holders include those at universities, Te Pūkenga, Private Training Establishments (PTE) and schools, and include scholarships and exchange visits.
It followed a warning a fortnight ago from INZ that warned visitors they should apply early, especially for travel in Christmas and the New Year.
Its visa director Jock Gilray said New Zealanders were looking forward to welcoming friends, family and tourists this summer.
"That's why we are asking that anyone who plans to travel to New Zealand for Christmas to submit their application no later than 15 October 2024. Anyone travelling in the New Year, including Chinese Lunar New Year, should submit their application no later than 15 November 2024."
Travellers who cannot apply until later also face fee hikes.
Prices are set to increase on 1 October, from $211 for a visitor visa to $441, which also includes a rise in the International Visitor Levy, and student visa fees rising to $850, up from $375.
