Medical and Travel Insurance
It is compulsory for international students to have appropriate and current medical insurance while studying in New Zealand, regardless of the type of visa held. This insurance must cover the full period of study.
Students are not able to start their course without the appropriate insurance. We can assist you by purchasing your insurance for you as part of your enrolment, or by recommending insurance companies to you which comply with the Code of Practice.
According to section 16D of the Code of Practice, international insurance needs to cover:
a. the student’s travel—
i. to and from New Zealand; and
ii. within New Zealand; and
iii. if the travel is part of the educational instruction, outside New Zealand; and
b. medical care in New Zealand, including diagnosis, prescription, surgery, and hospitalisation; and
c. repatriation or expatriation of the student as a result of serious illness or injury, including cover of travel costs incurred by family members assisting repatriation or expatriation; and
d. death of the student, including cover of—
i. travel costs of family members to and from New Zealand; and
ii. costs of repatriation or expatriation of the body; and
iii. funeral expenses.
Subclause (1)(a)(i) and (ii) includes the student’s travel to and from their country of origin or citizenship before their educational instruction begins and after it ends (which may be outside of the enrolment period).
Subclause (1)(a)(i) does not include the student’s travel to other countries, unless that travel is primarily for the purpose of embarking on connecting flights to and from New Zealand. More information here.
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Credit card insurance will not be accepted
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Insurance policies that do not cover the full period of enrolment will not be accepted
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Insurance policies that do not cover all the items listed above will not be accepted
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If you are unsure about the suitability of your insurance please email us at
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Recommended insurance policies:
Most international students are not entitled to publicly funded health services while in New Zealand. If you receive medical treatment during your visit, you may be liable for the full costs of that treatment. Full details on entitlements to publicly-funded health services are available through the Ministry of Health, and can be viewed on their website at
The Accident Compensation Corporation provides accident insurance for all New Zealand citizens, residents, and temporary visitors to New Zealand. However, you may still be liable for all other medical and related costs. Further information can be viewed on the ACC website at http://www.acc.co.nz.
