Find out how to keep on top of your loan while you're overseas for less than 6 months.

As long as you've been in New Zealand for 6 months (183 consecutive days), and are going to be overseas for less than 183 days your student loan will remain interest-free.

If you earn any money while you're overseas you'll need to let us know after the end of the tax year (31 March). This is because you're still considered to be a New Zealand-based borrower and you'll still need to make repayments based on your worldwide income.

Making repayments while you're overseas

You can still make repayments towards your student loan before you leave or while you're overseas.

Use our student loan repayment calculator to see how making extra payments towards your loan can reduce how long it takes to pay back your loan.

Nominate a person to act on your behalf while you're away

If you won't have a fixed address, you can nominate a person to check your loan balance and make payments or queries on your behalf. To do this just go to "Forms and guides" and complete our Nominate (elect) someone to act on your behalf (IR597) form.

Keeping up-to-date with your loan while you're away

Stay in touch with us and your account while you're away by registering for our online services - you'll need to have your IRD number to register.

With online services, you can:

• see your current loan balance,
• see interest charges and interest write-offs
• see repayments and,
• communicate with us using secure email.

We also have a Notify Me email service that provides you with useful information to help you manage your student loan. It'll also keep you up-to-date with anything new that's happening with student loans. Register for Notify Me - all you need is your email address.

If you decide to stay away for 6 months (184 days) or more

You'll need to let us know as this will affect interest charges on your loan. Go to "Contact us" for our contact details or send us an email.