New Zealand shifts all international student visa applications to ADEPT online

(New Zealand) New Zealand has moved every new international student visa application onto ADEPT, the upgraded platform inside Immigration New Zealand’s enhanced Immigration Online system, effective August 18, 2025. Immigration New Zealand (INZ) says the change is part of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s seven‑year “Our Future Services” program to make visa processing simpler and fully digital. The shift brings student visas into the same online environment already used for visitor, accredited employer work, and permanent resident visas.

Policy changes and key dates

From August 18, 2025, applicants for the following student visa types must apply through ADEPT in Immigration Online:

• English Language Studies
• Exchange Student Visa
• Fee Paying Student Visa
• Pathway Student Visa
• New Zealand Government Scholarship Student Visa
• Foreign Government Supported Student Visa

Important deadlines and transition rules:

• Applicants who applied on or before August 17, 2025 under the old system do not need to resubmit. They can still upload documents and reply to INZ requests until a decision is made.
• Saved drafts in the old system must be submitted by September 17, 2025. After that date, all incomplete drafts will be deleted and applicants will need to start a new application in ADEPT.
• From September 18, 2025, INZ will stop accepting paper applications for these student visa categories—non‑digital filing will be phased out.

INZ has incorporated built‑in help tips in the new online form to guide applicants through each question. The aim is to reduce mistakes that commonly slow decisions.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, these prompts can cut down on missing documents and unclear answers, which are common reasons for back‑and‑forth messages that extend timelines.

Application volumes, peak periods, and recommended timing

INZ notes that application volumes typically spike:

• November to March
• May to August

These peaks are tied to academic calendars and can lengthen processing times. INZ therefore advises applicants to apply at least three months before planned travel.

Support for applicants, agents, and providers

INZ is offering help materials and communication channels:

• Guidance videos and FAQs released by INZ.
• Questions from education agents and applicants invited via an official form until August 1, 2025, with answers posted on August 18, 2025.

INZ says the shift supports a “trusted, world‑class immigration service” with clearer status updates and more self‑service.

Impact on applicants and providers

Practical takeaways for students and providers:

• Application channel: All new applications for covered visas must go through ADEPT in Immigration Online.
• Deadlines: Drafts in the old system must be submitted by September 17, 2025; paper filing ends September 18, 2025.
• Ongoing access: Applicants who applied on or before August 17, 2025 retain the ability to upload documents and respond until a decision is issued.
• Built‑in guidance: ADEPT’s question‑by‑question help is designed to reduce errors and missing items.

Education agents and providers note:

• The digital switch should reduce manual handling and make tracking application status easier.
• There is a risk of missed deadlines during the changeover; agents urge students to double‑check timeframes to avoid losing draft applications after September 17.
• Providers are adjusting internal timelines and advising offshore students to allow a three‑ to four‑month buffer before travel to accommodate medical checks, police certificates, or extra verification.

Work rights and visa conditions

The policy update is tied to changes in student work rights:

• From November 3, 2025, eligible secondary and tertiary students may work up to 25 hours per week during term time (previously 20 hours).
• Students whose current visas show a 20‑hour cap will need to apply for a Variation of Conditions through Immigration Online to use the extra five hours.
• Students changing course or institution should check their visa label and conditions; they may need a Variation of Conditions or a fresh student visa to remain compliant.

What does ADEPT change — and what stays the same?

What changes:

• How people apply and how INZ manages workload: a single online place to apply, upload, track, and receive decisions.
• A unified system can improve internal triage so INZ allocates staff where volumes are highest.

What stays the same:

• Core documentary requirements remain: identity, offer of place, proof of funds, health and character checks, and insurance (if needed).
• Policy rules for each visa type are unchanged; ADEPT clarifies questions so applicants match the right documents to each answer, which can reduce requests for more information.

The Pathway Student Visa remains important because it allows a learner to take up to three courses in a row on one visa, often across different providers. The online shift does not alter that policy, only the application experience.

Practical step‑by‑step ADEPT application path

1. Create or sign in to your Immigration Online account at the official INZ portal: https://www.immigration.govt.nz
2. Choose the correct international student visa category.
3. Complete the online form, using the help prompts on each screen.
4. Upload supporting documents listed in INZ’s International Student Information Sheet.
5. Submit and pay online.
6. Check your account for updates, and reply quickly to any INZ requests.
7. Receive your decision electronically.

Warnings and final recommendations

• Keep a close eye on your Immigration Online account: INZ sends requests for further information through the platform.
• If you miss a deadline for a document, your application can be declined.
• If you cannot provide a document on time, contact INZ through your account immediately to explain the issue.
• Apply early, upload complete files, and respond promptly to messages to avoid delays—especially during peak months.

INZ plans to bring more visa types into ADEPT over time. The student shift is the program’s biggest milestone in 2025. While the technology change is large, the core message is simple: use Immigration Online, meet the posted deadlines, and apply early. Families, students, and schools all depend on timely decisions, and INZ’s goal is that a cleaner, fully digital path will make that more likely.