How the International Student Migration System Works in New Zealand (2026)
In this blog, I’m sharing the real, behind-the-scenes industry secrets about how the international student industry works in New Zealand in 2026.
To understand this system, you need to know the four key players:
Client (You)
Educational Consultant
Immigration Team
Education Provider
1. Client (You)
You are the international student seeking services to migrate to New Zealand through a student visa pathway. Everything in this entire pipeline starts with your goal to study, live, and eventually build a future in New Zealand.
2. Educational Consultant
Educational consultants come in three forms:
a. Immigration Agency Consultants
Most immigration agencies have in-house educational consultants. Their role is to guide you on the education-related parts of your journey — course selection, documents, enrolments, and ensuring your education pathway aligns with visa requirements.
b. Sub‑Agency Consultants
Large agencies often build distribution networks by partnering with smaller sub-agencies.
For example, UP Education is one of the most widespread distribution networks in New Zealand.
c. Independent Consultants
These consultants work directly for the student — not for an immigration agency or sub‑agency.
Their priority is you, not commissions.
3. Immigration Team
This includes two types of professionals:
a. Immigration Lawyers
Exempt from licensing
Usually charge higher fees
Best for complex cases, including past visa declines
b. Immigration Advisers
These individuals must complete an immigration course and hold a licence.
There are three types:
Fully Licensed
Provisional Licensed
Expired Licensed (should not be advising)
Advisers handle your visa documentation, strategy, and compliance.
4. Education Providers
New Zealand’s education system includes:
8 universities
400+ private training establishments (PTEs)
Polytechnics and institutes of technology
These providers partner with agents and agencies to recruit international students.
How the Industry Operates
Here’s the part most students never see:
1. You pay the course fees directly to the education provider.
2. The immigration team (if they are an approved agent) receives a commission from the provider.
3. A portion of that commission is passed on to the educational consultant.
However, this only happens when:
The immigration agency has a valid agent contract with the provider.
They meet a strict selection criteria, which often includes:
Registered NZ business with GST
Completing the agent application and interview
Providing two positive reference checks from other providers
A strong visa approval record
Because the criteria is tough, agencies that secured contracts years ago have a huge competitive advantage. They can then subcontract to smaller agencies (sub‑agencies) who don’t have direct contracts.
How Commission is Received?
Agencies only get paid once your migration journey is fully completed, meaning:
Your visa is approved, and
You have passed the provider’s non‑refund period
Only then can the agency invoice the provider. Each provider’s commission structure is confidential and varies widely.
This is why agencies carry a high level of risk. If the student drops out midway, the agency receives no commission, despite the time invested.
Why Agencies Charge Consultation Fees?
The international student industry faces a large number of “tire‑kickers” students who want free information but are not committed to the process.
To protect their time, agencies often charge:
First-time consultation fee
Registration fee
However, large global agencies, because of their massive scale, sometimes don’t charge consultation fees. They can absorb small losses because they operate in multiple countries and promote multiple destinations beyond New Zealand.
Independent vs Commission-Based Immigration Advisers
Independent Immigration Advisers
Charge you directly
Do not receive commissions
Issue a Letter of Engagement
Cost varies based on your case and the adviser’s experience
Commission-Based Immigration Advisers
Often don’t charge for straightforward student visa cases
Have direct provider contracts
Recover their time costs from provider commissions
Will charge you if:
You withdraw after visa approval
Your case goes beyond the normal scope
You have a past declined visa
Why Education Providers Use Agents
At the end of the day, in this industry:
You are the customer
Your education is the product
The provider is the service provider
To reach students globally, providers use:
Local agents
Sub‑agents
Global distribution networks
Industry partnerships
Every education provider maintains an approved agent list on their website. You can always email them to verify if a consultant is officially recognized.
Final Thoughts
Understanding how this industry works protects you from confusion and misinformation. The more you know, the better decisions you can make for your future. If you’d like to learn more book a call with me.