Licensed Immigration Adviser · IAA No. 201200749
Your move to New Zealand,
guided by a licensed adviser.
Mint Studies helps families study, work and settle in New Zealand — with expert, government-licensed immigration advice every step of the way.
Natalia Cardona Cottrell
License No. 201200749
What we do
What we do
Mint Studies is two things in one place: an international student recruitment agency and a licensed immigration advice practice for New Zealand. That means we can plan your whole journey — choosing the right course, applying for the right student or work visa, and building a route toward residence — without sending you elsewhere for the parts that matter most.
Study in New Zealand — choosing your institution, city and course, and arranging your student visa so you can study and work.
Immigration advice for New Zealand — student, work, partnership and residence visas, given legally by a licensed immigration adviser.
Your long-term plan — a clear, realistic route from your first course to residency in New Zealand.
Why a licensed adviser matters
Only people authorised by the New Zealand government may give immigration advice. Most of the agencies you will find in your country are study agencies — they are not authorised to advise on immigration, and a licensed immigration adviser who speaks Spanish is rarer still. At Mint Studies, our adviser is Natalia Cardona Cottrell, a Licensed Immigration Adviser for New Zealand (IAA No. 201200749) who speaks Spanish, so you get legal, government-licensed advice in your own language.
Client stories
Families we have guided
“Mint supported us a lot, especially during the COVID-19 period, and helped our whole family obtain the correct visas to study in New Zealand and settle in the country. They welcomed us and guided us through the whole immigration process, invited us as a member of the family and thanks to them we could focus on enjoying the good life in New Zealand.”
“From the English language visa to residency, Mint was with us every step of the way. We arrived in New Zealand without knowing anyone and with many doubts about how the immigration system worked. Natalia and the Mint team accompanied us every step of the way, from the first day to obtaining residency.”
“I came to New Zealand with a clear purpose: to see if this was the country where I wanted to build the future of my family. When I confirmed that it was, the next step was to bring my family while studying a Master in Business Administration. -MBA The planning was complex and that's where Mint Studies made the difference. They took care of the whole process with precision and clarity, and we could focus on the change of life, not on the paperwork.”
“Mint supported us a lot, especially during the COVID-19 period, and helped our whole family obtain the correct visas to study in New Zealand and settle in the country. They welcomed us and guided us through the whole immigration process, invited us as a member of the family and thanks to them we could focus on enjoying the good life in New Zealand.”
“From the English language visa to residency, Mint was with us every step of the way. We arrived in New Zealand without knowing anyone and with many doubts about how the immigration system worked. Natalia and the Mint team accompanied us every step of the way, from the first day to obtaining residency.”
“I came to New Zealand with a clear purpose: to see if this was the country where I wanted to build the future of my family. When I confirmed that it was, the next step was to bring my family while studying a Master in Business Administration. -MBA The planning was complex and that's where Mint Studies made the difference. They took care of the whole process with precision and clarity, and we could focus on the change of life, not on the paperwork.”
Memberships & registrations
Membership organisations — SIEBA and NZAMI
Immigration advice is provided by Natalia Cardona Cottrell under licence from the New Zealand Immigration Advisers Authority (IAA No. 201200749). Mint Studies has operated as a registered agency since 2015.
Mint Studies partners with the Schools International Education Business Association of New Zealand (SIEBA), who help international students of school age find educational institutions in New Zealand.
Mint Studies is a member of NZAMI, a not-for-profit professional association and incorporated society for New Zealand immigration advisers and lawyers, reflecting our commitment to professional standards in New Zealand immigration practice.
Ready to start? Book a consultation and we will map out your route to New Zealand together.
Your Questions
Honest answers to the concerns families have before committing
How do I know I can trust Mint Studies?
We are based in New Zealand, and every member of our team has been through this process themselves. We are not remote advisers selling a dream from far away — Natalia has lived here for twenty years, deeply settled. We guide families through the whole journey, from improving your English to securing residency.
We do not guarantee outcomes, because immigration decisions belong to the government, not to us. What we do guarantee is this: you will not walk this path alone. We stay with you from beginning to end.
About your money:
• For education programmes, fees go directly into a regulated government trust account. The institution can only access them once your student arrives in New Zealand.
• For immigration visa services, fees are collected in advance and held in a separate client account, in full compliance with Immigration Advisers Authority regulations.
Your money is protected and regulated.
What if we don't qualify?
Our immigration adviser works with you to build a strategic plan. If you don’t have everything you need right now, we don’t turn you away — we give you a roadmap to qualify. We look at both partners, your dreams and your budget, and we suggest pathways that work for your whole family: improving your English, gaining additional qualifications through study, or building professional skills. We figure it out together.
How long will this actually take?
The timeline depends on several factors: your current English level, your professional skills, your work experience, and how quickly you can network and secure employment. Some families move faster than others. What we promise is a realistic timeline based on your specific situation — not a generic one.
Will my qualifications be recognised?
Your qualifications can be assessed by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority for immigration purposes, though this is evaluated case by case depending on your visa pathway. For employment, most employers assess you on your actual skills, knowledge and attitude in interviews, and don’t always require a formal qualification assessment. The exception is regulated professions — such as electricians or healthcare workers — which require official registration regardless of the pathway.
What if we make a mistake that closes the door for our whole family?
This is exactly why a strategic plan and a professional guide matter. Immigration regulations are strict, and one wrong step can affect your family’s future. That is why you need someone who knows the rules inside and out — someone who has lived this process herself and has helped dozens of families through it successfully.