Best Credit Cards for International Students With No Income in New Zealand

Best Credit Cards for International Students With No Income in New Zealand

International students with no income will usually struggle to qualify for a credit card in New Zealand. A credit card is a borrowing facility, so lenders must check whether applicants can afford repayments without suffering substantial financial hardship. New Zealand’s responsible-lending rules require affordability and suitability assessments before credit is approved.

The practical answer is that there are currently no mainstream credit cards designed specifically for international students with zero income. ANZ provides one of the clearest credit-card pathways for international students, but it still requires regular income and enough money remaining after expenses to make repayments.

Students without income should generally begin with a Visa Debit or Debit Mastercard, then apply for a low-limit credit card after obtaining part-time work or another regular source of funds.

Can an International Student Get a Credit Card With No Income?

Approval is unlikely when the student has:

• No employment income.
• No student allowance or recognised regular funding.
• No consistent deposits.
• No New Zealand credit history.
• High rent and living expenses.
• Only a short period remaining on the student visa.

ANZ requires tertiary students to receive income, a student allowance or student-loan payments into an ANZ account. International students must also have at least six months remaining on their course and student visa.

Money held in savings or transferred regularly by family may help demonstrate financial stability, but it does not guarantee approval. The lender still decides whether those resources are sufficient and dependable enough to support credit repayments.

1. ANZ Low Rate Visa — Closest Option After You Obtain Regular Funds

The ANZ Low Rate Visa is the most realistic first credit card for an eligible international student, but it is not available on the basis of having no income.

Its main features include:

• No annual card fee.
• A minimum credit limit of NZ$500.
• Up to 55 interest-free days on purchases.
• ANZ’s lowest advertised credit-card purchase rate.
• Cashback offers from selected ANZ Loop partners.

International-student conditions

An applicant must generally:

1. Be at least 18.
2. Receive regular income.
3. Have enough money left after expenses to make repayments.
4. Have income or eligible funding credited to an ANZ account.
5. Study full-time at a recognised institution.
6. Have at least six months remaining on the course.
7. Have at least six months remaining on the student visa.

Best for: Students who currently have no income but expect to begin part-time work and want a low-cost card later.

2. Kiwibank Zero Visa — Generally Not Available to Student-Visa Holders

Kiwibank Zero Visa has no account fee and a NZ$500 minimum credit limit. However, Kiwibank’s current credit-card eligibility rules require applicants to be New Zealand citizens, Resident Visa holders or holders of relevant working visas. Working-visa applicants must earn at least NZ$70,000 gross annually.

A standard international student visa is not included in the published eligibility categories.

Verdict: Not a realistic option for most international students, particularly those without income.

3. Westpac Fee Free Mastercard — Not Available to Most International Students

Westpac Fee Free Mastercard has no annual card fee, but applicants must currently be New Zealand citizens or permanent residents living in New Zealand. Applicants also need to provide details of what they earn, spend and owe.

Verdict: The product may be attractive after gaining permanent residence, but it is not a practical student-visa credit card.

4. ASB Visa Light — Citizenship or Residence Required

ASB Visa Light is a low-rate, no-account-fee credit card, but ASB’s published online eligibility information requires applicants to be New Zealand citizens or permanent residents.

This means most international students cannot rely on it while holding only a temporary student visa.

Verdict: Not currently a suitable option for an international student with no income.

5. BNZ Lite Visa — Income and Residence Restrictions

BNZ’s credit-card eligibility criteria require applicants to be at least 18, earn at least NZ$15,000 annually and hold an eligible New Zealand citizenship or residence status.

Verdict: A student with no income would not meet the published minimum-income requirement.

Best Alternatives When You Have No Income

A debit card is normally the safest and most accessible alternative because it allows you to spend only money already held in your bank account.

1. Westpac International Student Account

Westpac offers an account specifically for international students, with:

• No monthly account-maintenance fee.
• No standard electronic transaction fees.
• Access to a debit card.
• Mobile and online banking.
• An optional foreign-currency account.
• Discounted foreign-exchange services in selected circumstances.

A debit card can normally be used for online shopping, contactless payments and everyday purchases without requiring credit approval.

Best for: Newly arrived students wanting a dedicated international-student banking package.

2. ANZ Visa Debit

ANZ Visa Debit accesses money from an ANZ everyday or savings account and can be used online, in shops and at ATMs. Because the card uses the account holder’s own funds, it does not require the same affordability assessment as a credit card.

ANZ also operates a Funds Transfer Scheme for students whom Immigration New Zealand requires to transfer living expenses into New Zealand. The scheme releases a set amount for living costs and provides access through eligible ANZ banking services.

Best for: Students using ANZ for living-expense transfers and planning to apply for an ANZ credit card after securing income.

3. ASB Visa Debit

ASB’s Everyday account has no monthly base or transaction fees and can include a Visa Debit card without an annual card fee. The card uses the student’s own money and can be used online, by phone, overseas and wherever eligible Visa transactions are accepted.

Best for: Students wanting a simple fee-free account and Visa Debit card.

4. Kiwibank Visa Debit

International students who are already in New Zealand may be able to open a Kiwibank account using a valid student visa and order a Visa Debit card.

International transaction fees apply when the card is used for transactions processed overseas, so students should review the current fee schedule before travelling or shopping in foreign currencies.

Best for: Students who prefer Kiwibank and only need to spend available account funds.

Can Family Transfers Replace Income?

Regular family transfers may show that the student has money available for living expenses. However, they are not automatically treated as employment income or a permanent entitlement.

A lender may consider:

• The amount transferred.
• How frequently it is received.
• How long the transfers have continued.
• Whether they are likely to continue.
• The student’s rent and other expenses.
• The requested credit limit.

The bank must still determine that the student can afford repayments.

Can Savings Help You Qualify?

Savings can improve the overall financial picture, but New Zealand banks do not widely advertise secured student credit cards backed by cash deposits.

A large account balance might support an application, but the applicant may still need regular funds and sufficient visa duration. Students should ask the bank directly whether savings can be considered alongside family support or scholarship payments.

How to Become Eligible Later

Students who want a first credit card should:

1. Open a New Zealand transaction account.
2. Obtain an IRD number.
3. Have wages paid directly into the account.
4. Keep at least three months of statements.
5. Avoid failed payments and unarranged overdrafts.
6. Pay phone, electricity and internet bills on time.
7. Request the minimum available credit limit.
8. Apply only after confirming eligibility with the bank.

Checking your credit report before applying can help identify mistakes or unpaid defaults. New Zealand consumers can request their credit information from a credit-reporting company.

Avoid applying repeatedly to multiple lenders, because credit applications can appear in your credit history and may affect future lending decisions.

Do You Actually Need a Credit Card?

A Visa Debit or Debit Mastercard is sufficient for most student expenses, including:

• Supermarket purchases.
• Mobile and utility bills.
• Online shopping.
• Public transport.
• Streaming subscriptions.
• Domestic travel bookings.
• Cash withdrawals.

A true credit card may still be useful for certain hotel or car-rental security deposits. Students should check the merchant’s deposit rules before booking.

Final Verdict

There are no strong mainstream credit cards for international students with no income in New Zealand. ANZ offers the clearest international-student route, but applicants must still receive regular income or eligible funding and demonstrate that they can afford repayments.

Kiwibank, Westpac, ASB and BNZ impose residence, visa or income restrictions that make their credit cards unsuitable for most students with no income.

The best immediate alternatives are the Westpac International Student Account, ANZ Visa Debit, ASB Visa Debit and Kiwibank Visa Debit. After obtaining part-time employment and building stable account activity, the student can consider applying for an ANZ Low Rate Visa with the minimum available limit.

Official Sources

• ANZ Low Rate Visa
• Westpac International Student Account
• ANZ Visa Debit
• ASB Visa Debit
• Kiwibank – Moving to New Zealand
• Consumer Protection – What Lenders Must Do
• Consumer Protection – Credit Checks and History