Visa & Passport Information

In order to study abroad in New Zealand, you will need to attain a student visa regardless of whether for a semester or the academic year. 

Visas are issued by Immigration New Zealand and will cost you approximately 750 NZ$ ($475 U.S.) out-of-pocket. (If the visa fee poses a financial hardship, please contact the HC Study Abroad office. )

Applying for your NZ student visa is an online process. Arcadia will provide instructions and support throughout the application steps, and Holy Cross will supply you with relevant documents, as needed. The key to it all is receiving your "Offer of Place" - or, formal acceptance letter from Victoria University stating that you will matriculate to the school for the specific semester dates. You will not receive that letter, of course, until you take the appropriate steps through Arcadia's portal to formally apply to the Vic, so it is essential that you stay on top of Arcadia's timeline for submitting documents. 

Confirm that your passport is valid at least six months AFTER your intended return to the U.S. 

Note: Study abroad students are not eligible to work while studying in New Zealand.

LOST/STOLEN PASSPORTS

In the event of a lost/stolen passport, students are advised to take these immediate steps:

1) report the loss/theft to local authorities

2) follow the protocols posted by the US Department of State

3) contact ISOS to open a case

4) Alert the on-site director of your program

5) Alert the Office of Study Abroad

As unfortunate as this situation is, students will need to be self-directed, making use of the Embassy and/or consular resources in the country in which the event occurred. It should be noted that the emergency passport often issued by the US Department of State as a replacement for a lost/stolen passport is NOT automatically recognized by all countries, including some in the Schengen Area (France, for example). Students will therefore need to learn the most secure means of travel back to their host country/institution. Depending on that country and its respective regulations, the student's future travel may be curtailed out of necessity.

Given the fact that international rules and regulations will dictate proper procedures and future travel, students and their families should be aware that ISOS, the Office of Study Abroad, the College of the Holy Cross, and on-site staff have no ability to influence and/or change the conditions that a student may face. As gathered by the student, information provided by the US Embassy or Consul within the country(s) in question will stand as the guiding and ultimate authority. 

Here are some recommendations to prevent/insure against a lost or stolen passport:

• Keep photocopies of your passport and visa (if applicable) both at home in the US and in your room abroad when you travel

• Keep photos of your passport/visa on your phone

• Always keep your passport on your person in a zipped and/or hidden pocket, especially when riding public transportation

• When traveling, always lock your passport in a hotel safe, if available

• Learn the rules of your host country: if you are not required to have your passport on your person when traveling internally, leave it in your room. Travel instead with your school and/or other forms of ID.

For more information about the risk of travel and student responsibilities during their study abroad term, students are strongly encouraged to re-read the Study Abroad Student Contract and Conduct Policy which they signed as a requirement for submission of their study abroad application.