The Government has expanded eligibility for work visas for partners of some students studying towards a Green List occupation.
Partners of students studying level 7 or 8 qualifications specified on the Green List, can now apply for a work visa with open conditions.
We have updated the Green List with the main Bachelor degrees and Bachelor Honours qualifications that lead to registration for certain occupations. These are occupations that have registration as a requirement instead of New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) qualifications.
This means people with student visas studying for these registration qualifications can now support their partner’s application for a Partner of a Student Work Visa.
Check the Green List appendix in the amendment circular for the eligible qualifications.
For partners who are now eligible, their dependent school-aged children can be treated as domestic students. The children can apply for a Dependent Child Student Visa so they will not have to pay tuition fees to go to school. This currently applies to anyone with a Partner of a Student Work Visa.
Accompanying dependants can now apply for a Partner of Student Work Visa with open work rights if their partner is studying in “a specified level 7 or 8 bachelor’s or bachelor’s (honours) degree that will lead directly to professional registration required for a Green List role.”
Green List roles are occupations that have been classified as being in high demand by the New Zealand government. They include positions in health care, STEM fields, and others.
The new policy offers a significant benefit to accompanying children of Green List-enrolled students as well in that: “For partners who are now eligible, their dependent school-aged children can be treated as domestic students. The children can apply for a Dependent Child Student Visa so they will not have to pay tuition fees to go to school. This currently applies to anyone with a Partner of a Student Work Visa.”
The news follows the recent announcement of New Zealand’s full-year enrolment figures for 2023. The country’s schools, universities, language institutes, and vocational institutions together hosted 69,135 international students last year, a 67% increase in total foreign enrolment over 2022.
This represents 60% of the international student base in 2019, when over 115,000 international students were enrolled.
Quality of education at Aotearoa New Zealand’s educational institutions is reflected in the latest survey by the Brazilian Educational and Language Travel Association (Belta), presented in May. The survey was conducted between March and April 2024 with students and international education agents from all regions of Brazil.
ENZ’s Bruna de Natale (center) with Belta leadership shows the latest issue of Belta’s annual magazine which features Aotearoa New Zealand. Photo: Belta.
According to the latest survey by Belta (Brazilian Educational & Language Travel Association), New Zealand ranks seventh on the list of preferred educational destinations for Brazilian students. The survey interviews 836 students and 569 international education agents along with companies who work in the international education sector in Brazil.
Respondents who chose New Zealand said their choice was based on New Zealand’s excellent positions in various international rankings for quality of life, education, civil rights protection, government transparency, and women’s safety/rights. Other factors are being able to study and work during the study programme, and New Zealand’s natural beauty and cultural attractions.
International education professionals attended the Belta survey launch event. Photo credit: Belta
According to the survey, the main objective of students participating in a study abroad program is to fulfil the dream of experiencing different countries and cultures (39.6%); the second is the interest in language studies (27.2%).
The majority (77%) of those who said they went abroad to learn a new language chose English when travelling. The quality of education is another reason cited by respondents who chose New Zealand. All universities in New Zealand are ranked among the top 2% in the world by major international indices, such as QS World Universities and THE – Times Higher Education.
Bruna de Natale, Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ) Market Development Manager in Brazil, said, “The Belta survey is the most important source of consistently updated international education data in Brazil. It is very encouraging that Brazilians continue to perceive New Zealand as a safe, trusted and quality education to develop their academic and professional goals.,”.
The data from the Belta Survey 2024 reinforces the international Better Life Index, which measures variables that constitute the quality of life in countries of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). In this survey, New Zealand is ranked as one of the best countries in the world to live in.
New Zealand hosted over 69,000 international students in 2023
Short on time? Here are the highlights:
New Zealand’s foreign enrolment reached over 69,000 in 2023, up 67% over 2022.
China, India, Japan, South Korea, and Thailand are the top five source markets.
In 2023, the number of international students in New Zealand represented 60% of the pre-pandemic number.
New Zealand’s schools, universities, language institutes, and vocational institutions together hosted 69,135 international students in 2023, a 67% increase in total foreign enrolment over 2022. This represents 60% of the international student base in 2019, when over 115,000 international students were enrolled.
During the pandemic, New Zealand’s borders were closed for longer than any of the other leading English-speaking destinations, fully re-opening only in the summer of 2022. This is part of the reason for the slower recovery of New Zealand’s international student numbers. Another factor is that New Zealand’s international education strategy prioritises balance over limitless growth. The goal is the development of a sustainable sector that brings economic, social, and cultural benefits to the whole country.
Dr. Linda Sissons, Acting Chief Executive of Education New Zealand, commented:
“Over 69,000 enrolments from international students all over the world is good news for our education sector and positive for our communities. It confirms that New Zealand is an attractive place to study, offering a quality learning experience inside and outside the classroom in a safe, welcoming environment. New Zealand is a small country and for many students, rubbing shoulders with people from other cultures gives them a greater understanding of the issues facing our complex world. In this time of fragile geopolitics, the melting pot of campus life can help build greater understanding and tolerance.”
The most growth occurred in the university and English-language sectors The university sector – the largest segment of New Zealand’s overall international education industry – has recovered the most fully of all the sectors, reaching 86% of pre-pandemic volumes for a total of 29,065 students (+21% over 2022). But the English-language sector expanded the most year-over-year, enrolling 9,569 students in 2023 versus only 1,565 in 2022 (+511%), and the schools sector also expanded significantly to 14,125 (+138%).
New Zealand’s Private Training Establishments (PTEs) and Te Pūkenga (New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology) enrolled 59% and 74% more international students in 2023 than 2022, respectively.
Top markets New Zealand education institutions remain heavily reliant on China (35%) and India (17%), which together make up more than half the total enrolment (52%). This reliance on the top two source markets is similar to Canada and the US (51% and 52%, respectively), but higher than what we see in Australia and the UK, where Chinese and Indian students make up 45% and 41%, respectively, of the total foreign enrolment.
After China and India, Japan is New Zealand’s third-largest source market (10%), South Korea is the fourth (5%), and Thailand is the fifth (4%). No other country composes more than 4% of the total foreign enrolment.
Speaking to the issue of diversification, Education New Zealand’s Dr. Sissons said:
“Enabling a thriving and globally connected New Zealand through world-class international education is a government priority. We are actively diversifying our recruitment efforts to reach international students in a broad range of countries.”
Do you intend to pursue a degree in New Zealand? You’re in the proper position to begin this amazing journey, then! You will encounter students from around the globe while studying in New Zealand. Because of its remote location, New Zealand is considered an unusual travel destination by most people. It’s a nation with an incredible natural setting, a distinct culture, and countless opportunities for sports and adventures. Furthermore, due to its exceptional quality and global perspective, New Zealand education is acknowledged globally.
Education system in New Zealand
Since New Zealand used to be a British dominion, its higher education system is very similar to that of the UK. This means that degrees acquired in New Zealand can often be easily transferred to institutions in both the UK and Australia. The New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) requires all educational establishments that grant degrees to be certified.
Institutes
In New Zealand, there are four types of higher education institutions:
Colleges
Universities
Private Training Providers
Polytechnics and Institute of technology
Academic Levels
All of the standard academic levels can be pursued in New Zealand like
Undergraduate (bachelor’s)
Postgraduate (master’s)
Doctorate (PhD)
There are ways to earn specialized degrees, like Graduate Diplomas and Honors. Studies of this kind typically span a year.
Student Visa and Permits
You will need a confirmation letter confirming your acceptance into a NZQA-accredited course and your payment of the required fees in order to be eligible for a student visa. Included in this paperwork needs to be:
The course name and the amount of time needed to finish it in the minimum
Evidence that the programme and the provider of the course fulfill New Zealand’s standards for overseas students
Evidence showing you have paid the entire course cost or, if the course lasts longer than a year, the first yearly charge
If you must pay course fees, and if so, at what rate—the higher international cost or the lower local rate
Whether you are enrolled in classes full- or part-time
The application process for the university itself could take many months if you need your prior qualifications evaluated. You will also need to provide transcripts, proof of sufficient finances to support yourself throughout your studies, and a passport that is valid for at least three months after your departure date.
Application Process
How the Application Process works
In New Zealand, you submit your application for higher education directly to the school or schools that you wish to attend. You will have to:
Fill out the appropriate application. Although a lot of institutions allow you to do this online, you will still need to submit your application together with supporting documentation via mail or courier. Recall that your diplomas and grades may require approved translations.
The university will send you a letter with start dates, course specifics, and a tuition invoice if you are accepted into the programme. This letter is required when you apply for a student visa.
Following payment of the fees, a confirmation letter will be sent to you. This is also required for the application for a visa.
Once your trip, visa, and money are all arranged, get in touch with the university to arrange for housing and airport pickup.
Tuition Fee and Scholarships
In New Zealand, the cost of a higher education programme is fixed at $2,000 every academic year. When it comes to other wealthy nations, New Zealand has comparatively modest fees.
The annual cost of tuition for undergraduate studies can range from NZ$22,000–$32,000 (US$16,000–$23,000). Depending on your course, costs change.
The annual cost of postgraduate education can range from NZ$26,000–$37,000 (US$19,000–$27,000).
In much of New Zealand, annual living expenses typically total at least $15,000 (US$11,000).
Conclusion
New Zealand is the place to go if you want to live in a safe, tranquil nation with lots of adventure. It has a good standard of living. A fantastic outdoor lifestyle that blends well with the multicultural atmosphere of New Zealand is available. New Zealand embodies all things travel-lustful, offering a diverse spectrum of natural scenery from erupting volcanoes and snow-capped mountains to rolling green hills, golden beaches, and lush rainforests. Every student who lives here has the opportunity to fully enjoy both the natural beauty and a diverse culture. Because of this, individuals from New Zealand, sometimes referred to as Kiwis, are among the happiest in the world.
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