Pre-arrival checklist for international students

Make sure your unconditional offer is accepted (if you have an agent, ask them to do this for you). On MyWaikato, go to ‘Qualifications and Papers’, and select ‘Respond to offer’.

Use the Express Service to start your Student ID application process so you’re all set to access campus services as soon as you arrive.

Email us a copy of your passport, your Student Visa, a headshot photo to be used on your ID card, and your student ID number to IDcards@waikato.ac.nz.

To ensure our records are up-to-date, please also email a copy of your e-visa issued by Immigration New Zealand to info@waikato.ac.nz.

Express Service cut off dates
• Classes starting in January 2025 – email documents by Friday, 3 January 2025.
• Classes starting in February 2025 – email documents by Monday 10 February 2025.

Find your programme by searching for the qualification. If a study planner is available on your chosen programme, go to MyWaikato and start selecting your papers.

Otherwise, contact your course advisor (if mentioned in your offer of place) to discuss and select your papers prior to your arrival. 

Download the International Student Enrolment Guide for On-campus Students for step-by-step information.

If you have questions or need further assistance, please email info@waikato.ac.nz.

Review all the conditions on your Student Visa before you travel.

Book your flights to New Zealand, making sure your arrival aligns with any orientation or welcome events scheduled by the University of Waikato. We recommend that you arrive at least 2 weeks prior to the start of your classes to familiarise yourself with the campus, climate, and time zone.

Everyone travelling into New Zealand must complete a Traveller Declaration.

Make sure your accommodation arrangements are sorted. We offer a variety of on-campus and nearby options, along with helpful tips for renting or flatting.

Check our Accommodation page to apply, check fees, and more.

If you are staying in our Halls of Residence, please note that check-in is only available between 8.30am and 10pm (7 days a week). If you need to check in outside of these hours, please contact the Accommodation Team as soon as possible.

Complete the arrival form to let University staff know when you are expecting to arrive. If eligible, you can request to be picked up from Auckland or Hamilton airports and taken to your pre-arranged accommodation in Hamilton or Tauranga.

If requesting our complementary airport transfer, please note you must submit the arrival form at least 7 days before your arrival date in New Zealand.

Pack for New Zealand's weather and life on campus. Remember to bring your personal and academic documents, they are needed to finish your enrolment with the University. Bring any medical history, driver's license, mobile phone and laptop. We recommend you also bring at least NZD$400 in cash for emergencies.

Check the Ministry of Primary Industries to learn about items you can and can't bring into New Zealand.

Once you arrive in New Zealand, the next step is to make sure you are fully enrolled in your course. Come see our team on Level 2 of the Te Manawa The Student Centre (Hamilton campus) or The Hub (Tauranga) to show your original documents, finalise paper selection, pay any additional fees, and collect your student ID.

If there are any additional documents you need to provide before completing your enrolment, this will be displayed at the top of your MyWaikato portal.

Refer to How to enrol: International students for more information.

When your enrolment is completed, you need to accept your Enrolment Agreement.

Log into MyWaikato, select the ‘Qualifications and Papers’ tab and then select ‘Complete enrolment’.

You must be here on campus for Orientation week, which starts one week before the start of your classes. New International Students have a mandatory Orientation hosted by our International Student Support Team.

If you have any questions about Orientation or in case you miss the Orientation session because you're not in New Zealand yet, email the International Student Services Team as soon as you can.

Orientation dates
• Trimester Period H 2025 – no orientation session will be held in January.
• Trimester A 2025 – Wednesday 19 February from 10am – 12.30pm in Room PWC (see campus map for details)