Applying for a student visa to New Zealand just got smoother. As of August 18, 2025, all international student visa applications are being processed through Immigration New Zealand’s upgraded digital platform—ADEPT. This move is designed to deliver faster decisions, reduce paperwork, and provide a more seamless visa experience for students around the world.
What’s Changing for International Students?
From now on, applicants for the following visa categories will be automatically directed to the new ADEPT Immigration Online system:
- English Language Student Visa
- Exchange Student Visa
- Fee Paying Student Visa
- Pathway Student Visa
- New Zealand Government Scholarship Student Visa
- Foreign Government Supported Student Visa
If you have already submitted an application through the old system on or before August 17, 2025, it will still be processed as usual. However, draft applications in the old portal must be submitted by September 17. After that date, all unsubmitted drafts will be deleted permanently.
From September 18, 2025, paper applications for these student visa categories will no longer be accepted.
Why the Upgrade?
The transition to ADEPT is part of a seven-year modernization programme, aimed at moving all New Zealand visa services onto a single streamlined digital platform.
Several visa types—including Visitor Visas, Accredited Employer Work Visas, and Permanent Resident Visas—have already been processed on ADEPT since its launch in 2021. Now, international student visas are joining the system.
Immigration New Zealand explains:
“Customers and staff are at the heart of the Our Future Services programme. We aim to deliver a simpler, faster, and more user-friendly visa process—reducing waiting times, providing clearer communication, and enabling greater self-service so applicants feel more informed and supported.”
Application Timeline and Processing Advice
With student visas in high demand, New Zealand is currently in a peak processing period. Immigration New Zealand recommends that students:
- Apply at least three months before their intended travel date
- Use the new ADEPT system for faster and more transparent processing
- Keep updated on status changes through the online portal
Family-related visas that are connected to student visas will also be moved to ADEPT over the coming year as part of a phased rollout.
Key Deadlines You Need to Know
- August 18, 2025 → All new student visa applications must be lodged through the new ADEPT system.
- September 17, 2025 → Last date to submit drafts saved in the old system.
- September 18, 2025 → Paper-based student visa applications will no longer be accepted.
What This Means for Future Students
For aspiring international students, this switch means:
- Faster visa decisions with reduced paperwork.
- Clearer communication through a modernized portal.
- Easier self-service options to track and manage applications.
- More confidence during peak application seasons.
Final Thoughts
New Zealand’s decision to move student visa applications to its upgraded ADEPT online platform is a big step forward in digital immigration services. For international students, this means a faster, simpler, and more reliable visa process, making it easier to plan studies abroad with peace of mind.
If you’re planning to study in New Zealand in 2025 or beyond, make sure to apply through the new online system well in advance to secure your place without any delays.
