Foreign students enrolled in New Zealand’s universities and tertiary institutions would be obliged to follow a new set of regulations while applying for Study to Work Visas, effective July 25, 2011.
Immigration Minister Dr Jonathan Coleman said such applicants must have obtained qualifications following at least two years of study in New Zealand.
“A shorter period may apply to postgraduates and those with credit-transferred bachelor degrees,” he said.
Applicants claiming bonus points under the Skilled Migrant Category should have at least bachelor degrees recognised by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA).
The changes would also oblige former students should have a skilled job to qualify for residence.
Work visas will be available to partners of students studying postgraduate courses and Long Term Skills Shortage List courses that lead to Bachelor degree and above.
From March next year, international students should guarantee funds up to $15,000 for every year of study, up from the current level of $10,000.
Hamilton based Pathways to New Zealand Managing Director Richard Howard said the changes were perhaps prompted by the recent ‘Australian experience.’
“It would appear that the New Zealand Government is keen to avoid the problems that eventuated in Australia, UK and the US, resulting in a large number of international students enrolled in short-term, low-level courses in institutions that were not interested in education outcomes,” he said.
He said the changes would ensure that the focus of New Zealand education institutions is firmly on achieving quality education outcomes for students and that students who choose to study in New Zealand come for the same purpose.
Waikato Indian Student Club President Sandeep Mathur said the changes may affect the number of students coming from India since a majority of them preferred to study one-year courses.
“If students have to study for two years, students from India may prefer other countries such as Australia and UK,” he said.
Amandeep Kaur is a journalist from India, currently employed in an immigration company based in Hamilton.
