New Zealand has allocated 5,000 places for international students to schools, universities and other educational institutions in the country.
The New Zealand government announced the 5,000 international student allocation as part of its five-part plan to reopen borders following the pandemic.
Students from other countries will be able to enter New Zealand with special permission for border exceptions and start their studies from mid-2022.
The 5,000 student places have been broken down as follows:
- University – 1,450 places;
- School (years 9 to 13) – 1,000 places;
- English Language school – 1,000 places;
- Private Training Establishment (PTE) (including pilot training) – 850 places;
- Te PÅ«kenga – 700 places.
Educational institutions in New Zealand can now nominate international students to start their studies at their institutions by travelling to New Zealand with border exemptions.
The Ministry of Education said New Zealand’s education providers are responsible for nominating eligible international students to education agencies.
The education agencies will then confirm the eligibility of international students with Immigration New Zealand. If approved for nomination, international students can then apply for a student visa to travel to New Zealand and start their studies.
The deadline for educational institutions to complete their nominations is May 6, 2022.
After educational institutions in the country submit their nominations, Immigration New Zealand will verify the eligibility of nominated students, and approved international students will be allowed to enter New Zealand from mid-2022.
Before the pandemic, international students contributed around $5 billion annually to New Zealand’s economy. However, the number of international students dried up as the outbreak of Covid-19 forced the government to close its international borders.
The reopening of borders and resumption of international students returning to New Zealand is welcome news for all parties involved, given that the country is working on recovering its economy following the devastating impact of the pandemic.
