University Tuition Rates for Resident Expat?

It depends if you actually get residency or a long-term work visa/permit... I am currently working on a 2 yr visa but applyign for residency as my wife is a kiwi.

Currently I would have to pay international student fee's, but once I gain residency I will pay NZ fee's.  I think it's likley you would get a work visa/permit initially for the first few years and would pay international fees.

We are currently in the process of having my wife's teaching credentials verified, our criminal checks done and sent, and a couple other items that are required for residency.  It's a LOT of paperwork.  However, we've heard rumors that once all that is in, it might take up to six months but residency should be granted shortly thereafter.

I now have residency... it took around 6 moths from when I submitted the paperwork.  Due to my wife being a Kiwi I think I had less paperwork than most but it;s all sorted now... Good luck!!

American Bloke wrote:

Hello!  My family and I are moving to New Zealand later this year.  I'm quite certain that we will qualify for residency due to the facts that:  1) My wife is a certified teacher (we're from the U.S.) 2) We have two school age children 3) We'd be bringing a substantial amount of money into the country from our savings we've accumulated while teaching in S. Korea. 

THEREFORE...if we can in fact gain residency, will I pay NZ tuition rates, or will I still have to pay international student rates?  I'm going to earn a post-grad. teaching license, and then teach myself once I'm finished.

Anyhow, if anyone knows the definite answer to this, I'd be very happy.

Cheers!

I wasn't aware that having substantial amounts of money, or children, merited extra points on the EOI .

You're most likely to succeed if one of you has a job offer, without which you may either not have enough points or risk only being awarded work to residence rather than permanent residence.

Just be sure your wife's US teaching qualifications and experience are recognised by employers in New Zealand. Because, if they're not she'll find it impossible to get a job.

I think school is free so long as you are on some form of work permit, uni is free of international student fees on if you are on PR.

Though if you do have substantial funds you'd be well advised to look at private education for your kids.