Student loans are not available for our courses. If you need financial help to study to become a dive professional, we suggest that you try to seek an arrangement with your bank or finance company, or ask for help from family or friends to meet the cost. Note that the cost of study is the same whether you are a New Zealand resident or not, however some scholarship support or rebates may be available to residents.
People from some countries don't need a visa to enter New Zealand. However, you will still be required to provide travel tickets or evidence of onward travel arrangements, and evidence of funds for maintenance.
If your home country is on this list, then you can enter New Zealand without a visa, depending on how long you want to stay. If you don't need a visa, you can start planning your trip.
Andorra, Argentina, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia*, Finland, France, Germany, Greece*****, Hong Kong**, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea (South), Kuwait, Latvia*, Liechtenstein, Lithuania*, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Oman, Poland, Portugal***, Qatar, Romania, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, United States of America****, Uruguay, Vatican City
* Visa waiver does not apply to people travelling on alien's (non-citizen's) passports issued by these countries.
** Residents of Hong Kong travelling on Hong Kong Special Administrative Region or British National (Overseas) passports.
*** Portuguese passport holders must also have the right to live permanently in Portugal.
**** Including nationals of the USA.
***** Greek passport holders whose passports were issued on and after 1 January 2006. (Greek passports issued before 1 January 2006 are not acceptable for travel after 1 January 2007).
British citizens and other British passport holders who produce evidence of the right to reside permanently in the UK can visit for up to six months without a visa.
Australian citizens and people who hold a current Australian permanent residence visa or a current Australian resident return visa do not need a New Zealand visa to enter New Zealand.
If you are in one of these groups, you are a ‘visa-waiver visitor’, and you do not need a visitor’s visa to travel to New Zealand. You need to apply for a visitor’s permit, but you will do this by completing an arrival card on the aircraft/ship on your way to New Zealand. You must also:
• hold a valid ticket out of New Zealand to a country you have the right of entry to
• have enough money to support yourself during your stay
• hold a passport valid for three months beyond the date you are leaving New Zealand.
You must only visit New Zealand for the time granted to you on arrival. If you wish to visit for longer you will need to apply for a visitor’s visa. If you want to work, or study for longer than three months, in New Zealand you will have to apply for a work permit or a student permit.