FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

You can support your partner’s work visa application if you are studying a Level 7 or 8 qualification provided the qualification is specified on the Long Term Skill Shortage List, or a Level 9 or 10 qualification. If your partner has dependent children, they will be eligible for fee-free primary and secondary schooling.

Please refer to Immigration New Zealand’s website for further information:

https://www.immigration.govt.nz/new-zealand-visas/apply-for-a-visa/tools-and-information/support-family/student-visa-holder-supporting-visas-for-family

You may be eligible for a post-study work visa if you have completed a programme of study that results in:

• A qualification at level 7 on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework that you have studied for at least 30 weeks in New Zealand; or
• One qualification at levels 4-6 on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework that you have studied for at 60 weeks in New Zealand; or
• Two qualifications at levels 4-6 on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework that you have studied for at 30 weeks each in New Zealand (a total of 60 weeks, where the second qualification is of a higher level than the first).

Visa duration:

• The open post-study work visa will be granted for one, two, or three years, or for the remainder of the time left on your visa if you hold an existing employer-assisted visa.
• The duration depends on various things, including the level of the qualification you have gained and where you completed your qualification.

Please refer to Immigration New Zealand’s website for further information:

https://www.immigration.govt.nz/new-zealand-visas/apply-for-a-visa/visa-factsheet/post-study-work-visa

Simply follow our helpful step-by-step guide here.  As long as you meet the requirements, it can be a straightforward process.

On your first day at SIT you will sit an English pre-entry test.  The results of your test will determine which English class you are enrolled in.

Generally, if you plan to study at SIT for more than three months, you need to apply for a Student Visa from Immigration New Zealand.  Find out more from Immigration New Zealand.

If you do not meet the English requirements for your mainstream programme at the end of 26 weeks, you can purchase extra English lessons.  Additional English tuition is NZ$2720 for half a semester, or NZ$320 a week.  We can assist with your visa renewal if required. 

SIT’s English Language Institute offers four qualifications for students.  You can gain a Certificate in English Language at Pre-Intermediate, Intermediate, Upper-Intermediate or Advanced levels. 

You may be able to work if you have IELTS 5.0 and have been provided with a Variation of Conditions on your student visa to allow you to work up to 20 hours per week. 

If you are coming to study English Language at SIT, then you are not required to provide IELTS when applying for your student visa.

If you are applying to study a mainstream programme directly, you will need to show SIT evidence that you have met the English entry criteria for your chosen programme.  You will need to provide a recent IELTS test report or equivalent. 

No, SIT has an internal English test which students sit before they go onto the mainstream programmes.  This test is free. 

However there are a couple of exceptions, with the main one being the Bachelor of Nursing and Diploma in Enrolled Nursing programmes where International students are required to provide IELTS 6.5 across all bands.  This is a New Zealand Nursing Council requirement that SIT must adhere to.