Having domestic student status is different to studying as an international student. That is when students pay international student fees and have the appropriate visa.

International students can only be enrolled in schools that are signatories to the Education (Pastoral Care of Tertiary and International Learners) Code of Practice 2021.

Wellbeing and safety support for tertiary students

Parents and caregivers may need to apply to us for approval as a domestic student if the child:

• is not a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident
• came to New Zealand on a valid visa that has now expired
• was born in New Zealand and neither parent holds citizenship or a valid visa.

Getting domestic student status via this pathway is not a visa. It does not impact or assist a family's immigration status in New Zealand. Before starting the application, we strongly encourage families to find a long-term solution for their child by checking if they are eligible for a student visa, a residence visa or citizenship.

This notice describes what a domestic student is.

Education (Domestic Students) Notice – New Zealand Gazette

This circular sets out eligibility requirements for enrolment in New Zealand schools. It also covers who to record in your school's ENROL enrolment system.

Circular 2020/08 – Eligibility to enrol in New Zealand schools

Who is eligible

A child might be granted temporary domestic student status if they meet the criteria in the Education and Training Act. To be eligible, a child must:

• have been living in New Zealand with a parent or legal guardian for at least 6 months
• not have a valid visa to stay in New Zealand
• not have enrolled in school as an international fee-paying student (if they were enrolled it must be as domestic student)
• be between 5 and 19 years old.

If the application is approved, the child can be enrolled at a state or state-integrated primary, intermediate or secondary school.

This approval is valid for 5 years or until the last day of the school term following the child's 19th birthday.

Children approved to enrol as domestic students receive the same education as other students at your school. This includes access to English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL).

How families can apply

For a child to attend school in New Zealand, their parents or caregivers have to apply for them to be granted temporary domestic student status. This application is made to us.

If the application is approved, a child's status as a domestic student will last for 5 years. After that, parents or caregivers have to fill in a renewal form.

If families need help to download or print these documents, they can ask your school for help or go to:

• the local library
• the regional office.

The forms can be emailed to us directly by the child's parents or caregivers. They may also give it to your school or regional office to send on their behalf.

Regional offices