Find out what you have to do if you're returning to New Zealand after more than 6 months away.

If you've been away for more than 6 months (184 days or more), go to "Get it done online" and send us a secure email, or give us a call to let us know you're back and we can update your details - go to "Contact us".

Interest-free student loans

To be eligible for an interest-free student loan, you'll need to remain in New Zealand for 6 months (183 days) or more. While you're waiting for your 6 months to clock up, you can leave the country for up to 31 days in total, and still be eligible.

Once you've met the 183-day requirement, all the interest charged from the day you returned to New Zealand will be written off.

You'll change from being an overseas-based to a New Zealand-based borrower and your repayments will be based on what you earn.

Your student loan repayments - for the tax year you return in

If you weren't on a repayment holiday while you were away, you'll have a part-year overseas-based repayment obligation (based on your loan balance) for the period you were away.

You'll need to file a part-year IR3 income tax return to cover the date of your return to the end of the tax year (31 March). You'll then receive your part-year New Zealand-based student loan repayment amount based on your income in this return.

Your student loan repayments - for all future years

You'll make repayments as a salary or wage earner or a self-employed person until you've repaid your loan or go overseas again for 6 months (184 days or more).

If you haven't made any repayments while you were away

If you weren't on a repayment holiday and you didn't make repayments you were overseas you may have overdue amounts to pay and late payment penalties (1.5% of the overdue amount per month) charged to your loan. Check your loan balance.