Grant McPherson
Wellington, May 15, 2022
There is the encouraging news that student and visitor visa processing will reopen on 31 July 2022, rather than in October as previously announced.
This is a welcome step forward and sends a strong signal that New Zealand is fully reopening to the world. Given the significant challenges faced by our international education sector over the past two years, I know this news will come as a relief for many of you.
The government has announced changes to immigration settings arising from its immigration rebalance work. Key changes for our sector include post-study work rights for international students and other student visa settings.
The recent border exception for up to 5000 international students (Cohort 4) will continue as planned, with the first students on track to begin arriving in New Zealand soon.
Post-study work rights
International students studying bachelor’s or post-graduate courses or higher will continue to receive Post-Study Work Visas.
Students studying non-degree courses at Level 7 and below (excluding bachelor’s degrees), will only be eligible for post-study work rights if the qualification is relevant to an occupation on the new Green List, which will replace the existing skills shortage lists. These work rights will only allow them to work in that occupation.
The duration of work rights will reflect the duration of study undertaken in New Zealand, except for Masters and PhD students who retain the current setting of three years.
International students will no longer be able to apply for a second post-study work visa.
Students with a student visa application underway to study a qualification currently eligible for a post-study work visa and that student visa is subsequently granted; students who get a visa through the current border exception for 5000 students; and students who already hold a student visa for a programme of study that results in a qualification that is currently eligible for a post-study work visa, will be considered under the old settings if they apply for a post-study work visa within the next three years.
There are no changes to in-study work rights for student visa holders.
Living costs and fees
The amount of funds that students are required to demonstrate they have access to, so they can cover their living expenses while in New Zealand, will increase. For tertiary and English language students, the funds required will be $20,000 per annum, and for primary and secondary school students it will be $17,000 pa. These funds are prorated for study less than a year. The current setting is $15,000 pa for both.
This change does not affect the living costs requirements for students in Cohort 4.
Students will be required to pay tuition fees for one year or the first programme (whichever is shorter) upfront.
This change does not apply to Cohort 4 students.
Grant McPherson is Chief Executive of Education New Zealand based in Wellington. The above article should be read with the overall changes made to immigration settings, the Pathway to Residency 2021 Programme and other changes announced in recent months. All changes are reflected in the Immigration New Zealand website www.immigration.govt.nz
