For students already in New Zealand

Already in New Zealand?
Zero Luminous fees.

Studying or working in New Zealand on a visa, and thinking about your next course? A master’s after your bachelor’s, a PhD, or a better programme than the one you’re on: every Luminous service is free for you, and we time everything around your visa end date. Tuition and the university’s own fees are paid to the university as usual.

Visa ending in 3 months or less? Message us on WhatsApp now →
US$0service charge, on everything
Anynumber of applications
23partner universities and colleges in New Zealand

What’s free

Everything we do. For you, it costs nothing.

Every Luminous service is free for onshore students: students already living in the UK, Canada, Australia, the USA, Ireland, New Zealand, Germany or Malaysia on a valid visa, who want help with their next course at one of our partner universities or colleges in that country, without leaving it.

Service charge on applications to partner universities, as many as you needNormally none for 3, then US$50 eachFree
SOP writing, from your interviewNormally US$75Free
SOP coachingNormally US$49Free
Full admissions document packNormally US$149Free
Funds & documentation auditNormally US$49Free
Refusal review & reapplication planNormally US$99Free
IELTS mock exams with expert markingNormally paidFree

“Free” means no Luminous charges. Tuition, the university’s own application fee (if any) and government visa fees are paid by you directly to them.

Who counts as onshore?

  1. 1
    You live where you can switch course in-country

    The UK, Canada, Australia, the USA, Ireland, New Zealand, Germany or Malaysia: places where students can change or continue their course without leaving.

  2. 2
    You hold a valid visa there

    A student visa, a post-study work visa or another valid permission. We’ll ask to see it.

  3. 3
    You want to study again

    A master’s after your bachelor’s, a PhD, a top-up, a change of field, or a better course than your current one.

Why onshore students choose Luminous

Your next step, planned around your visa.

Timed around your visa

We plan backwards from your visa end date, so your offer and documents are ready in time for your next permission.

Honest course advice

If a course won’t help your career or could weaken your next application, we’ll tell you, and suggest a better one.

All online, no travel

Everything happens on WhatsApp, email and video. You don’t need to go home or visit an office.

Partner choices where you live

Universities and colleges across the country you already live in, so you can continue without leaving.

Your next course must be a genuine next step: immigration officers check that it makes sense for your studies and career. We help you choose one that does. We are an education consultancy and do not prepare visa applications.

Plan your next course

Where are you now, and where do you want to go?

Five quick answers. You’ll see how much time you have, the rules that matter in your country, and your best next step.

I’m studying or living in
My visa now
My highest qualification
What I want next
8months left on your visa

Good: you have time to choose well. Use the time to compare courses properly, check accreditation and job outcomes, and apply for the best intake.

Your natural next step: a master’s degree in New Zealand, without leaving the country.

NZRules that matter in New Zealand

Post-study work visa: only once. From 16 Nov 2026, a Level 7 graduate diploma after a bachelor’s also qualifies.

  • Choose the qualification you want your one post-study work visa to follow.
  • Check the Green List if you want a long-term route.
Source: INZ: Post-study work visa ↗
Get free help with this plan

General information, checked 26 September 2026. Rules change, and your own case may differ: always confirm on the official website. We are an education consultancy and do not prepare visa applications.

Free for onshore students

Tell us about your next course.

An adviser replies within one working day, usually on WhatsApp. Your answers from the planner are sent with your message.

New ZealandStudent visa8 months leftBachelor’s

We’ll ask for a copy of your current visa or residence permit to confirm you’re onshore. Everything we do for you is free; the university’s own fees and government visa fees are paid by you directly to them.

Or message us on WhatsApp

Partner institutions in New Zealand

Where we can apply for you in New Zealand.

A selection of our partner universities and colleges in New Zealand. Tell us your goal and we’ll match the right course, here or in another destination.

Massey University (Auckland Campus)Auckland
Victoria University of Wellington (Kelburn Campus)Wellington
University of Waikato (Hamilton Campus)Hamilton
Auckland University of TechnologyAuckland
Victoria University of WellingtonWellington
The University of Waikato College (Navitas)Hamilton
Massey UniversityPalmerston North
Yoobee College of Creative InnovationAuckland
The University of WaikatoHamilton
University of AucklandAuckland
Otago PolytechnicDunedin
New Zealand Skills and Education College (NZSE)Auckland
Waikato Institute of Technology (Wintec)Hamilton
Manukau Institute of TechnologyAuckland
Southern Institute of TechnologyInvercargill
Universal College of Learning (UCOL)Whanganui
Eastern Institute of TechnologyGisborne
Ara Institute of CanterburyChristchurch
New Zealand Tertiary College (NZTC)Auckland
Toi Ohomai Institute of TechnologyRotorua
New Zealand Management Academies (NZMA)Auckland
University of CanterburyChristchurch
University of OtagoDunedin

How it works

Four steps, all free.

  1. 01Free call

    We look at your visa dates, your qualification and your goal, and the rules that apply where you live.

  2. 02Honest shortlist

    Courses that genuinely improve your job prospects, with accreditation, placements and graduate outcomes checked.

  3. 03We apply for you

    As many applications to our partner universities and colleges as make sense. No service charge.

  4. 04Documents, done right

    Feedback on your SOP or study plan, a funds and document check, and interview practice before any visa step.

Questions

Straight answers.

Is it really free? What’s the catch?

Yes. For onshore students, we charge nothing for any of our services. Universities pay us a commission when a student we placed enrols at a partner institution, and that never comes out of your tuition. For onshore students we apply only to our partner universities and colleges.

What do I still pay?

Only what goes to others: the university’s own application fee (some charge none) and tuition, and any government visa fees. We never add a charge on top.

Can I use the free service to study in a different country?

No. The free onshore service is for continuing your studies in the country where you already live, without leaving it. For a course in another country, our standard service applies.

Why not the UAE or Malta?

In the UAE and Malta, changing course usually means a new sponsor or a new permit application, and the official rules are not clear enough for us to plan it safely. Our standard service still covers both.

Can you apply to a university you don’t partner with?

Not for onshore students. The free onshore service covers our partner universities and colleges only, and there are many to choose from in every destination.

Will a new course give me another post-study work visa?

Often not. In the UK, Canada and New Zealand you can only get the main post-study work visa once, and Australia’s 485 is generally once as a main applicant. Ireland and the USA are different. The planner above shows the rule for your country.

Do you prepare my visa application?

No. We are an education consultancy and do not prepare or submit visa applications. We give free, general guidance on official checklists and check your study documents.