Other valid domestic enrolments

An international student may be enrolled as a domestic student if they meet the criteria set out in the Education (Domestic Student: Tertiary Education and Vocational Education and Training) Notice 2025.

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Evidence requirements

This page sets out the evidence a tertiary education organisation (TEO) needs to sight to verify a learner’s identity and confirm they are eligible to be enrolled as a domestic student under this Notice.

Education (Domestic Student: Tertiary Education and Vocational Education and Training) Notice 2025

The TEO must report these enrolments in line with the Single Data Return (SDR) and/or Industry Training Register (ITR) data collection specifications and funding conditions set out in the Funding Conditions Catalogue.

If the below evidence requirements cannot be met (for example, the student cannot provide the documents described below), then the TEO should contact us for further guidance. Contact our Customer Contact Team at customerservice@tec.govt.nz, or phone 0800 601 301.

The TEO must sight the original or certified copy of the evidence set out below. The TEO should ensure that it retains a copy of the evidence on file for at least two years after the completion of the education or training in which the student is enrolled.

Evidence documents provided must include:

an official letterhead, stamp and/or signature
the date of issue
(if relevant) the expiry date or effective period
the name of the student (or the student's family member, if relevant).

All visas must be valid and issued by Immigration New Zealand. To obtain any immigration-related evidence listed, contact Immigration New Zealand.

If the TEO is unsure about whether the evidence provided is authentic, it should contact the issuer of the document to confirm its authenticity.

For each type of learner named in the Notice, here is the evidence they must provide (as well as standard proof of identity, and other requirements), along with any other information the enrolling TEO must confirm.

Diplomatic personnel

TEOs must ensure learners meet these requirements

A person who has a letter from the Protocol Division of the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirming that they are, for the time being, entitled to any immunity from jurisdiction by or under the Diplomatic Privileges and Immunities Act 1968 or the Consular Privileges and Immunities Act 1971 for the current academic year and until the end of the year in which that status expires.

Evidence learners must provide

The letter from the Protocol Division of the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT).

Claiming refugee or protected person status

TEOs must ensure learners meet these requirements

A person who has made a claim to be recognised as a refugee or a protected person under Part 5 of the Immigration Act 2009, and who holds a valid temporary visa.

Evidence learners must provide

A valid temporary visa issued by Immigration New Zealand to visit, work, or study in New Zealand; and
Evidence that the learner has made a claim for refugee protection (such as a copy of their written claim to Immigration New Zealand or a letter from Immigration New Zealand confirming they are considering their claim) and a certified copy of a valid temporary visa.

Refugee or protected person and family members

TEOs must ensure learners meet these requirements

A person who:

is recognised as a refugee or a protected person under Part 5 of the Immigration Act 2009 and who, for the time being, has not been granted a New Zealand residence class visa; or
is the partner or any child in New Zealand of a person in paragraph (a); or
is the parent or any sibling in New Zealand of a person referred to in paragraph (a) who is a dependent child.

Evidence learners must provide

Evidence that the learner has been recognised as a refugee or protected person (such as a letter from Immigration New Zealand with the decision to grant refugee or protected person status); or
Evidence from Immigration New Zealand (such as a letter) that the learner has been sponsored by the holder of a Refugee Family Support Resident Visa and that they are the partner or child of that person; or
Evidence:
- that the learner's partner, parent, sibling, or child has been recognised as a refugee or protected person (such as a letter from Immigration New Zealand with the decision to grant refugee or protected person status); and
- of the learner's relationship with the family member who has been recognised as a refugee or protected person (including, if relevant, that the family member is a dependent child), such as a birth certificate or marriage certificate and/or correspondence from Immigration New Zealand.

Exchange student

TEOs must ensure learners meet these requirements

A person who is in New Zealand to study under a New Zealand Government-approved exchange programme at a tertiary education provider.

Evidence learners must provide

The learner’s Exchange Student Visa.

International PhD student

TEOs must ensure learners meet these requirements

A person who is in New Zealand to study and who is enrolled in a Doctor of Philosophy programme at a New Zealand university.

Other information the enrolling TEO must confirm

Confirm that the learner is enrolled in a PhD programme and is based in New Zealand for their study.

Trainee or apprentice enrolled before 31 December 2022

TEOs must ensure learners meet these requirements

A person who:

was enrolled on 31 December 2022 at a tertiary education provider for the purpose of participating in training or an apprenticeship that was funded by the Tertiary Education Commission through the Industry Training Fund funding determination issued under section 419 of the Education and Training Act 2020 and that was in force on that date; and
continues to be enrolled in the same programme of study that is funded by the TEC through Determination of Design of Funding Mechanism: Delivery at Levels 3 to 7 (non-degree) on the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework and all Industry Training.

Other information the enrolling TEO must confirm

Confirm that the learner remains enrolled in a programme of study funded through the DQ3-7 Fund that was previously funded through the ITF, and that the learner was enrolled in that programme as of 31 December 2022.

Work-based trainee on an Accredited Employer Work Visa

TEOs must ensure learners meet these requirements

A person who:

is working in New Zealand on an Accredited Employer Work Visa and in an occupation that
1. is specified on the Immigration New Zealand Green List; or
2. was within the scope of a sector agreement in place as at 9 March 2025; and
is studying a qualification that
1. is delivered in the work-based mode of delivery; and
2. has been identified by the appropriate Industry Skills Board or Workforce Development Council (as applicable) as being in the national interest; and
3. has been approved by the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) as being in the national interest; and
is enrolled in study or training that is funded by TEC through the Determination of Design of Funding Mechanism: Delivery at Levels 3 to 7 (non-degree) on the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework and all Industry Training.

Evidence learners must provide

The learner's Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV); and
A letter from the person's employer (or other official document such as an employment contract or statement of employment) that confirms the person's occupation.

A New Zealand Work Visa – Partner of AEWV, cannot be used as evidence (also known as a partnership visa).

Other information the enrolling TEO must confirm

Confirm that:

The learner's occupation is listed on the Immigration New Zealand Green List, or was within the scope of a sector agreement in place as at 9 March 2025; and
The learner is studying in a programme on the list of funded programmes for eligible learners; and
The learner is studying in a programme, funded through the DQ3-7 Fund, and delivered in the work-based mode of delivery.

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Search and rescue trainee

TEOs must ensure learners meet these requirements

A person who:

is enrolled in a course of study or training funded by the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) for search and rescue training; and
is entitled to remain in New Zealand on a visa for at least six months from the date of their enrolment in that course of study or training.

Evidence learners must provide

Enrolled in search and rescue training funded by the TEC; and
The learner's visa enabling them to stay in New Zealand, with a minimum expiry date of six months after the date of enrolment.

Other information the enrolling TEO must confirm

Confirm that the learner is enrolled in a course of study or training for search and rescue funded by the TEC.

Learners on specified temporary visas

TEOs must ensure learners meet these requirements

A person who:

is enrolled in a course of study or training funded by the Tertiary Education Commission through the English Language Teaching – Intensive Literacy and Numeracy Fund or through the Determination of Design of Funding Mechanism: Adult and Community Education; and
is residing in New Zealand on any of the following visas:
1. Partner of a New Zealander Work Visa
2. Partner of a New Zealander Visitor Visa
3. 2022 Special Ukraine Visa.

Evidence learners must provide

The learner's Partner of a New Zealander Work Visa, a Partner of a New Zealander Visitor Visa, or the 2022 Special Ukraine Visa.

Other information the enrolling TEO must confirm

Confirm that the learner is enrolled in a course of study or training through the English Language Teaching – Intensive Literacy and Numeracy (ELT ILN) Fund or an ACE Fund.

Short-term work-required training course

TEOs must ensure learners meet these requirements

A person who:

is enrolled at a tertiary education provider in a short-term work-related training course that:
1. receives no funding from the Tertiary Education Commission under section 419 of the Education and Training Act 2020; and
2. is for a period of 10 days or less; and
is required by their employer for the particular work being undertaken.

Evidence learners must provide

The learner's visa that enables them to work in New Zealand; and
A letter or email from the learner's employer confirming that the training course the learner is enrolled in is required for the particular work being undertaken.