🇳🇿 NZ: Mandated Cost of Living Reserve Calculator

To secure a New Zealand Student Visa, Immigration New Zealand (INZ) mandates that applicants hold concrete, liquid funds to support themselves without relying on local employment. While you are legally permitted to work up to 20 hours per week in many scenarios, these potential earnings cannot be used to satisfy your initial visa fund requirement.

1. The 36-Week Pivot Point (Academic Year)

INZ defines a standard academic year as 36 weeks. The financial arithmetic pivots entirely around this boundary:

• Long Courses (36+ Weeks): You must demonstrate a fixed annual reserve ($20,000 for tertiary, $17,000 for primary/secondary) for the *first* year of study. If the program duration exceeds one year, you only need to show the first year's funds upfront, but must supply evidence showing how you intend to support yourself for subsequent academic years.
• Short Courses (Under 36 Weeks): Calculated linearly at the monthly rate ($1,667/month for tertiary, $1,417/month for school) for the specific course duration.

2. Dependent Partner & Child Allocations

Bringing family increases your minimum reserve, and requirements change based on the visa subclass they apply under:

• Partner Work Visa: Mandates a flat minimum of $4,200 NZD total to ensure baseline independence.
• Partner or Child Visitor Visa: Generally requires $1,000 per month of their stay. However, if the primary student can prove their accommodation is fully prepaid, this requirement drops sharply to $400 per month.
• Dependent Child Student Visa: Requires the standard school-level student rate ($17,000/year or $1,417/month).

3. Outbound Travel & Pregnancy Buffers

You must either present already paid return flight tickets, or hold a cash buffer (officially deemed to be roughly $1,000 NZD per person) to purchase them later. Additionally, pregnant applicants without fully-subsidized public healthcare access must demonstrate an extra $9,000 NZD maternity reserve.