The PDF we give students who can’t book a call this week. Verified costs, INZ rules, post-study work and SMC residence.
Verified costs by city. Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch broken out.
Fees Free first-year. Eligibility map for the NZ government subsidy.
Post-study work visa. 1–3 years tied to study level and location.
SMC residence pathway. Skilled Migrant Category points, current ceiling.
PDF, ~2.4 MB · used by 110+ students this intake.
The brief
New Zealand 2025 / 26
Volume 06 · 40 pages
Transitley
Honestly answered
The questions we get most.
How much will a Master’s in NZ really cost, all in?
Year one, end-to-end, typically lands between NZD 48,000 and NZD 60,000 depending on city and course. The calculator above is what we use on the first call.
How long is the post-study work visa?
1–3 years depending on study level and where you studied (Auckland vs regional). Recent rule changes restricted some sub-degree pathways.
What is the SMC residence pathway?
Skilled Migrant Category: the points-based residence visa for skilled workers. We score your profile against the current threshold on the first call.
Will my course qualify for skilled migration?
Tech, healthcare, engineering and trades have strong Green List coverage. We check the current list against your course before you commit.
How early should I start?
8–10 months for Sem 1 intake. INZ student visa processing is 4–8 weeks. Health and police checks add 2–3 weeks.
What does working with Transitley cost?
First consultation is free. Paid by student, not university. Exact pricing on the call.
Trip on
One call. One counsellor. Visa filed.
Seven destinations, one process. A counsellor reads every inquiry. The eligibility call is free, and we tell you honestly when a case isn’t winnable.