Students will be able to travel to New Zealand Beginning in July

Students can apply for visas three months earlier to come to New Zealand beginning from July 31. The government has announced that the borders will be fully reopened by the end of July, bringing the start date for student visa categories forward from October. The government has already established a border class exception for 5,000 international students, allowing them to enter New Zealand once their visas are approved.

The changes are part of the Immigration Rebalance initiative, which aims to make it easier to attract and hire highly skilled migrants. Settings are changing for students, migrant workers and their partners, and skilled residence pathways.

Changes are being made to Post-study work visa settings as part of the Immigration Rebalance, and the funds required for student visa applicants to support their stay in New Zealand are being increased. The Immigration Rebalance changes complement the International Education Strategy's direction. The draught strategy defines New Zealand's "high-value" offering as "quality education that strengthens the education system, contributes to research and innovation, and provides other socio-cultural, economic, and diplomatic benefits to New Zealand."

What is Rebalancing Immigration?

The Immigration Rebalance is intended to make it easier to attract and hire high-skilled migrants, while also assisting some sectors in transitioning to more productive and resilient modes of operation, rather than relying on lower-skilled migrant workers. Changes to settings for migrant workers and their partners, students, and skilled residence pathways are included.

The changes to international education include:

Work rights after graduation:

Changes to post-study work visa settings have been made, and will apply to any student visa applications received on or after 11 May 2022 that are not covered by transitional arrangements, including student visa applications from New Zealand residents:

Students who have studied full-time in New Zealand for a minimum of 30 weeks will be eligible for post-study work rights. For example, students pursuing a qualification at Level 7 or lower (excluding bachelor's degrees) will be eligible for post-study work rights only if the qualification is relevant to an occupation on the Green List. Graduate diplomas and level 7 diplomas are included.

Post-study work rights for non-degree students who have studied for Green List relevant qualifications will only allow the migrant to work in that occupation, though they will be able to switch employers and work for less than the median wage.

There are 20 Green List roles with direct pathways from Level 7 and below qualifications. Construction Project Manager; Project Builder; 12 specific engineering roles; Civil Engineering Technician; Electrical Engineering Technician; Secondary School Teacher; Early Childhood (Pre-primary School) Teacher; Automotive Electrician; Diesel Motor Mechanic is among them.

This change is intended to align post-study work rights for non-degree study with the skills that New Zealand requires. It also addresses some unsustainable post-study work trends that existed prior to COVID.

For most international students eligible for a Post-Study Work Visa, the duration of that work visa will now be three years, up to a maximum of three years. This change will not affect Master's and PhD students, who will continue to be eligible for three years of post-study work as long as they have spent 30 weeks in New Zealand studying full-time. This change is about proportionality, but it also recognizes the value of experiencing New Zealand education in context for students and employers.

International students will no longer be able to apply for a second work visa after completing their studies. This is to limit the amount of time someone can work in New Zealand without applying for an Accredited Employer Work Visa, which requires the employer to first determine whether a New Zealander is available to do the job.

Students who have already begun studying an eligible qualification under current conditions and have applied for or are in possession of a visa for that specific study will be considered under the 'old' post-study rules. This includes students who enter New Zealand under the current border exception for 5,000 students, as long as they meet the educational requirements.

International students will no longer be able to apply for a second work visa after completing their studies. This is to limit the amount of time someone can work in New Zealand without applying for an Accredited Employer Work Visa, which requires the employer to first determine whether a New Zealander is available to do the job.

Students who have already begun studying an eligible qualification under current conditions and have applied for or are in possession of a visa for that specific study will be considered under the 'old' post-study rules. This includes students who enter New Zealand under the current border exception for 5,000 students, as long as they meet the educational requirements. Students who have recently started a qualification in foreign and applying for a visa after May 11 will be considered under the new rules.

No changes have been made to international students' in-study work rights, which remain an important part of a New Zealand education for some international students and help to mitigate some of their exploitation risks.

Living expenses

From $15,000 to $20,000 per year for prospective tertiary student visa applicants and $17,000 for prospective international school students, effective July 31, 2022. For shorter periods of study, these amounts will be prorated.

With the exception of some aviation students, students must pay tuition for the first year or first program of study (whichever is shorter), and they must demonstrate financial support for the same period.

Students transitioning to post-study work visas after May 11 will need to show $5,000 in funds.
The funding requirements will be reviewed every three years to ensure that students maintain reasonable expectations about the cost of living in New Zealand.

So, if you want to go for further your academic achievement in New Zealand, contact Aptech Study Abroad. Get expert advice and apply for scholarships at the same time.