The University of Otago requires your citizenship and residency information to ensure the most accurate information is recorded for the purpose of enrolment and fees.
New Zealand citizens are classed as domestic students for the purpose of fees and enrolment.
You are classified as a domestic student for admission and tuition fee purposes if you will be residing in New Zealand for the duration of your studies and:
- You hold a New Zealand residence class visa, or
- You are an Australian citizen or permanent resident visa holder
If you are a New Zealand residence class visa holder, or an Australian citizen or permanent resident visa holder, who will reside outside of New Zealand while studying, you are classed as an international student.
Citizens of the Cook Islands, Tokelau, and Niue are classified as domestic students for admission purposes.
To confirm your citizenship or residency details, you need to supply the University of Otago with an original or correctly certified (witnessed/notarised) copy of documents to support the change.
Becoming New Zealand or Australian citizens
If you become a New Zealand or Australian citizen and would like to update your status, you will need to provide:
- The page of your passport that shows your name and other details, or
- Your citizenship certificate
Becoming New Zealand or Australian residence class visa holders
If you become a New Zealand or Australian residence class visa holder and would like to update your status, you will need to provide:
-
The page of your passport that shows your name and other details
and either:
- Your residence visa label, or
- Appropriate documentation confirming you have been granted an electronic visa/eVisa (New Zealand residents only), or
- A confirmation email sent directly from the Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) service that you have been granted an electronic visa/eVisa (Australian permanent residents only). Enter: confidential.se@otago.ac.nz into the "Recipient email address" field on the VEVO website
If you get New Zealand citizenship, permanent residency, or residency, as an international student you can request to have your status updated from international to domestic. This also applies if you are residing in New Zealand and get your Australian citizenship or permanent residency.
New and current international students with pending New Zealand residency are advised to seek advice from the University about their situation:
- New students – email: international.admissions@otago.ac.nz
- Returning students – email: student.finance@otago.ac.nz
Refugee status
If you have refugee status, provide certified copies of:
- Certificate of identity or passport and
- Evidence of refugee status, such as:
- NZ Residence class visa label
- A letter from Immigration New Zealand confirming your residency status. This should include your full legal name, date of birth, and date of residency
- A letter from Immigration New Zealand confirming your refugee status and that you have applied for residency. This should include your full legal name and date of birth
Providing certified documents
A certified copy is a photocopy that an authorised person has signed to confirm it is a true copy of the original.
For documents confirming name, date of birth, name changes, citizenship, or residency, you can:
- Upload a high-quality scan or photo of a certified copy via your eVision portal, or
- Bring the original document to an AskOtago Hub (Dunedin, Christchurch, or Wellington) to have it certified for you to upload
Who can certify documents
Authorised certifiers include:
- Justice of the Peace
- Barrister or Solicitor of the High Court
- Notary Public
- Court Registrar or Deputy Registrar
- AskOtago or other University of Otago administrative or liaison staff
- Member of Parliament
The certifier must state the copy is a true copy, sign, include their printed name and title, and certify in English.
If you cannot access an authorised certifier, contact AskOtago for advice.
Submitting your documents
Upload certified documents using the link in your eVision alert.
If posting documents, send certified copies only to:
Group Leader Student Administration
Student Experience
University of Otago
PO Box 56
Dunedin 9054
New Zealand
Do not post original documents, as they cannot be replaced if lost or damaged.
International students
If you are not classified as a domestic students, you must:
- Hold a valid student visa for study longer than three months, or
- If you are on a work visa, apply for a variation of conditions and provide proof of your student permit
Further information
Certified documents
Submitting identification documents - international students