We are looking into my husband applying for a study visa (since we obviously will not get the SMV since I did not manage to get a job from abroad). I have researched and made phone calls to immigration and to Auckland University and sent a lot of emails and still can't get a straight answer regarding funds. I am really hoping someone who went on a study visa or someone who knows this area can answer.
According to immigration, when applying for a study visa you need to show you've paid for the 1st year of fees (which obviously would be international fees) before you get the visa. Now my question is has anyone ever paid the university fees and then gotten denied the student visa (our medicals are fine so we're only concerned we might get denied if they don't feel the funds we have are enough)? What happens to the entire year of funds you've paid the university if you don't get the visa?
We know we have enough money to show for my husband, but we don't know if we have enough to show for me as well (I would aim to get a Working Visa under the category since my husband will apply for a degree under a short term category, level 7 or 8 which allows the partner to get a working visa).
Another question is how strict is immigration on having the funds if both of us are to go. We know we can manage with what we have since I know I can land a job once there (I know that can't be used as an excuse to immigration, but that is how we know we will manage).
Any advice would be appreciated.