On this page:

• Provider-based learner residency criteria
• Work-based learner residency criteria

Provider-based study and work-based learning each have their own residency and qualification/programme eligibility criteria for Fees Free.

Provider-based study means courses where a learner is studying on campus and/or online.

Work-based learning means programmes where a learner is training in a workplace, or doing “on the job” learning.

Provider-based learner residency criteria

A provider-based learner must be one of the following when they complete their qualification:

New Zealand citizen or ordinarily resident:

• a New Zealand citizen; or
• a holder of a residence class visa and:
  • ordinarily resident in New Zealand and have held a residence class visa for at least three years while living in New Zealand; or
  • a person granted refugee or protected person status, or a family member granted a residence visa with the person granted refugee or protected person status; or
  • sponsored into New Zealand by someone in their family who, at the time of sponsorship, was a refugee or protected person.

Refugee or protected person or their immediate family:

• a person granted refugee or protected person status prior to gaining a residence visa; or
• a family member of a person with refugee or protected person status in New Zealand, who is:
  • the partner or any child of the person granted refugee or protected person status, or
  • the parent or any sibling of the person granted refugee or protected person status, if the person granted refugee or protected person status is a dependent child.

Christchurch response visa holder, or their immediate family:

• a holder of the Christchurch Response (2019) Permanent Resident Visa; or
• a holder of a residence class visa who would have been eligible for the Christchurch Response (2019) Permanent Resident Visa; or
• a holder of a residence class visa who is a family member of a living person, where that living person is:
  • the holder of a Christchurch Response Visa residing in or outside of New Zealand; or
  • a New Zealand citizen residing in or outside of New Zealand, who:
    • was a resident visa holder under the Immigration Act 2009 on 15 March 2019 and was eligible for a Christchurch Response Visa; or
    • would have been eligible for a Christchurch Response Visa had they not already been the holder of a permanent resident visa under the Immigration Act 2009 on 15 March 2019; or
    • would have been eligible for a Christchurch Response Visa had they not already been a New Zealand citizen on 15 March 2019; or
    • was granted New Zealand citizenship after holding a Christchurch Response Visa; or
  • the holder of a permanent resident visa under the Immigration Act 2009 residing in or outside of New Zealand, who:
    • was a resident visa holder under the Immigration Act 2009 on 15 March 2019 and was eligible for a Christchurch Response Visa; or
    • would have been eligible for a Christchurch Response Visa had they not already been the holder of a permanent resident visa under the Immigration Act 2009 or on 15 March 2019; or
  • is the holder of a resident visa under the Immigration Act 2009 residing in or outside of New Zealand, who held the resident visa on 15 March 2019 and who was eligible for a Christchurch Response Visa.

Afghan evacuee:

• a holder of the Afghan Emergency Resettlement Resident Visa.

Work-based learner residency criteria

A work-based learner must be one of the following when they complete their programme:

New Zealand citizen or ordinarily resident:

• a New Zealand citizen; or
• a holder of a residence class visa and:
  • ordinarily resident in New Zealand; or
  • a person granted refugee or protected person status, or a family member granted a residence visa with the person granted refugee or protected person status; or
  • sponsored into New Zealand by someone in their family who, at the time of sponsorship, was a refugee or protected person.

Refugee or protected person or their immediate family:

• a person granted refugee or protected person status prior to gaining a residence visa; or
• a family member of a person with refugee or protected person status in New Zealand, who is:
  • the partner or any child of the person granted refugee or protected person status, or
  • the parent or any sibling of the person granted refugee or protected person status if the person granted refugee or protected person status is a dependent child.

Christchurch response visa holder, or their immediate family:

• a holder of the Christchurch Response (2019) Permanent Resident Visa; or
• a holder of a residence class visa who would have been eligible for the Christchurch Response (2019) Permanent Resident Visa; or
• a holder of a residence class visa who is a family member of a living person, where that living person is:
  • the holder of a Christchurch Response Visa residing in or outside of New Zealand; or
  • a New Zealand citizen residing in or outside of New Zealand, who:
    • was a resident visa holder under the Immigration Act 2009 on 15 March 2019 and was eligible for a Christchurch Response Visa; or
    • would have been eligible for a Christchurch Response Visa had they not already been the holder of a permanent resident visa under the Immigration Act 2009 on 15 March 2019; or
    • would have been eligible for a Christchurch Response Visa had they not already been a New Zealand citizen on 15 March 2019; or
    • was granted New Zealand citizenship after holding a Christchurch Response Visa; or
  • the holder of a permanent resident visa under the Immigration Act 2009 residing in or outside of New Zealand, who:
    • was a resident visa holder under the Immigration Act 2009 on 15 March 2019 and was eligible for a Christchurch Response Visa; or
    • would have been eligible for a Christchurch Response Visa had they not already been the holder of a permanent resident visa under the Immigration Act 2009 or on 15 March 2019; or
  • the holder of a resident visa under the Immigration Act 2009 residing in or outside of New Zealand, who held the resident visa on 15 March 2019 and who was eligible for a Christchurch Response Visa.

Afghan evacuee:

• a holder of the Afghan Emergency Resettlement Resident Visa.

Accredited Employer Work Visa holder:

• a person who:
  • is working in New Zealand on an Accredited Employer Work Visa; and
  • is working in an occupation that is specified on the Immigration New Zealand Green List or within the scope of a sector agreement; and
  • the qualification has been identified by the appropriate Workforce Development Council as being in the national interest; and
  • the qualification has been approved by the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) as being in the national interest.

A list of qualifications meeting the requirements can be found at Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) holders.

If a learner needs help determining their visa status or duration, advise them to contact Immigration New Zealand through their contact centre on 0508 558 855.