Departure checklist — 60 days to touchdown

1. 1

   Confirm visa conditions in writing

   Download your eVisa PDF and read the work-hour and course conditions. Save a copy to your email, your phone and a USB drive.

2. 2

   Pay tuition and get the official receipt

   Pay only into the institution's published bank account. The receipt goes in your hand luggage folder.

3. 3

   Arrange your first month's accommodation

   Hall, homestay or a short-term booking. Do not sign a 12-month lease from Bangladesh.

4. 4

   Book a full medical and dental check-up

   A dental filling costs NZ$250–400 in New Zealand and a fraction of that in Dhaka. Get everything treated before you fly.

5. 5

   Collect certified academic documents

   Attested transcripts, certificates and mark sheets — at least two certified sets, plus scans in cloud storage.

1. 1

   Book your flight

   Ask for the student fare with extra baggage. Book the domestic connection on the same ticket if you're not studying in Auckland.

2. 2

   Buy travel and medical insurance

   Most institutions require approved comprehensive insurance for your whole stay — many will enrol you in a scheme automatically and add it to your fees. Confirm which applies before buying separately.

3. 3

   Sort out your money

   Open a NZ bank account remotely if your bank offers it, arrange a forex card, and plan how your family will send funds later.

4. 4

   Get prescriptions and a doctor's letter

   Bring 3 months of any regular medicine in original packaging with a signed prescription. Some common South Asian medicines are restricted in New Zealand — check before packing.

5. 5

   Notify your university of your arrival date

   Many run free airport pickup and orientation for international students if you register in advance.

• ✓
  Print the document folder

  Passport, visa, offer letter, tuition receipt, insurance, accommodation booking, transcripts, medical records.

• ✓
  Buy winter clothing in Dhaka

  A good jacket, thermals and waterproof shoes cost a third of NZ prices. Dunedin and Christchurch get genuinely cold.

• ✓
  Weigh your bags

  Two checked bags plus cabin. Confirm your exact allowance on the ticket.

• ✓
  Carry NZ$300–500 in cash

  For transport, SIM and food before your bank card arrives.

• ✓
  Set up international roaming or an eSIM

  So you can message home from the transit airport.

• ✓
  Tell your bank you're travelling

  Prevents your Bangladeshi card being blocked at the first NZ transaction.

Passport with visa, the printed document folder, laptop and charger, all medicines with prescriptions, NZ$300–500 cash, a change of clothes, your accommodation address and phone number written on paper, a universal travel adapter (New Zealand uses Type I plugs, 230V), and your university's international student office number.

1. 1

   Fill in the arrival card honestly

   Declare all food, plant, wooden and animal products. Declaring is free; not declaring is a NZ$400 instant fine.

2. 2

   Buy a SIM at the airport

   Every terminal has a Spark, One NZ or 2degrees kiosk. You need a local number before anything else works.

3. 3

   Get to your accommodation, then sleep

   Do not try to open a bank account on day one. Jet lag makes every task twice as hard.

4. 4

   Day 2: bank account, then IRD number

   The bank account comes first — you need it to complete the IRD application.

5. 5

   Day 3: enrol, get your student ID, register your transport card

   The student ID unlocks transport concessions and campus jobs.

6. 6

   Week 1: register with a GP and start job hunting

   A local doctor before you need one, and twenty printed CVs delivered in person.