New Zealand Student Visa Funds: How Much to Show from Sri Lanka
TL;DR: For a New Zealand student visa at university or other tertiary level, you must show NZD 20,000 for each year of study for living costs, or NZD 1,667 a month for courses shorter than a year. You also need your tuition fees and a way to leave New Zealand, either a paid ticket or extra money for one. Immigration New Zealand wants three months of bank history, and any deposit over NZD 2,000 needs an explanation.
New Zealand's funds rule looks simple on paper: one number per year. Most problems come from how the money is shown rather than how much there is. October to March is Immigration New Zealand's (INZ) busiest season for student visas, so a funds file that is clear the first time matters.
Not sure how much your family needs to show for your New Zealand course? Check your eligibility with Prosper.
How much you need to show
Immigration New Zealand sets out the student fund requirements for living costs:
| Your study | Living costs you must show |
|---|---|
| Tertiary or English language study, one year or more | NZD 20,000 for each year |
| Tertiary or English language study, under one year | NZD 1,667 for each month |
| Primary or secondary school, one year or more | NZD 17,000 for each year |
Three more points from the same guidance:
- Tuition fees are separate. You show proof that your fees are paid or that you can pay them.
- Prepaid accommodation can be deducted from the living cost amount.
- Outward travel: you need a fully paid ticket out of New Zealand, or enough extra money to buy one.
The Fee Paying Student Visa page lists the visa itself from NZD 850, with 80% of applications decided within eight weeks.
Want to know which New Zealand courses fit your background and budget before you plan your funds?
A worked example for a one-year master's
Say your one-year master's costs NZD 40,000 in tuition. You would plan to show:
- Tuition: NZD 40,000, paid or available.
- Living costs: NZD 20,000.
- Outward travel: a paid ticket, or extra funds to cover one.
That is at least NZD 60,000 before travel. For an 18-month programme, living costs rise to cover the full length of study. Check your offer letter for the exact duration and fee, since those decide your total.
What counts as evidence
INZ accepts these as primary evidence:
- Bank statements showing the account holder's name and the last three months of transactions.
- Fixed deposit certificates, held for at least three months.
- Scholarship award letters.
- Education loan documents from nationalised or multinational banks.
- Provident fund evidence.
If a parent or relative is paying, they can complete INZ's online sponsorship form with recent bank statements, pay slips and their employment agreement. A third party guaranteeing your costs completes the Financial Undertaking for a Student form (INZ 1014).
Where applications slip
Large deposits without a trail. INZ treats deposits over NZD 2,000 as needing explanation. Attach a short note and the source document for each one.
New accounts. An account opened a month ago has no history to show. If you must use a new account, explain why and show where the money came from.
Fixed deposits opened too late. A fixed deposit only counts once it has been held for three months. If you are planning a July intake, open it early enough that it passes three months before you apply.
Currency swings. INZ amounts are in New Zealand dollars. Build a margin into your home-currency figure so an exchange rate movement does not leave you short on the day you lodge.
Timing your funds against your intake
INZ advises applying about three months before you travel, and warns that October to March is its peak season. Its guidance on getting ahead of the student visa peak notes that applying six months or more ahead may lead to approval in principle. Our article on New Zealand student visa approval in principle explains how that works. Count back three months from your application date: that is when your bank history needs to start looking the way you want INZ to see it.
If you are weighing a February start, our New Zealand February intake guide sets out the deadlines. And for how part-time work fits into your budget, see our article on New Zealand student visa work hours.
Applying from Sri Lanka
- In rupee terms, NZD 2,000 is a small amount, so almost every family transfer, gift or maturity will need an explanation.
- INZ amounts are in New Zealand dollars, so build a margin into your rupee figure in case the exchange rate moves before you lodge.
Frequently asked questions
How much money do I need for a New Zealand student visa? NZD 20,000 a year for living costs at tertiary level, plus tuition fees and outward travel.
How many months of bank statements does INZ want? The last three months, showing the account holder's name and transactions.
Can my parents sponsor my New Zealand student visa? Yes. They can complete INZ's sponsorship form with their bank statements, pay slips and employment agreement.
Does prepaid accommodation reduce the amount? Yes. INZ allows prepaid accommodation to be deducted from the living cost amount.
Do I need a return ticket? You need a paid ticket out of New Zealand or enough extra money to buy one.
PS: The funds rule is one number, but the file behind it takes planning months ahead. If you want to know which New Zealand courses fit your background and what your family should plan to show for them, check your eligibility with Prosper and we will work through it with you.
Team Prosper
References
Student fund requirements, Immigration New Zealand. https://immigration.govt.nz/process-to-apply/applying-for-a-visa/providing-evidence-and-documents-to-support-your-visa-application/student-fund-requirements/ (accessed 27 September 2026)
Fee Paying Student Visa, Immigration New Zealand. https://www.immigration.govt.nz/visas/fee-paying-student-visa/ (accessed 27 September 2026)
Apply early and get ahead of the student visa peak, Immigration New Zealand. https://immigration.govt.nz/about-us/news-centre/apply-early-and-get-ahead-of-the-student-visa-peak/ (accessed 27 September 2026)
