Confirming the worst fear of many, an official spokesperson of MBIE has told the Indian Weekender that most of the international students that the government is envisaging to come to New Zealand in third stage of border reopening in April this year will not comprise of those locked out of borders since borders were first closed in March 2020.
This latest announcement is about bringing new – international-fee paying students.
The MBIE official was responding to the Indian Weekender’s query on the number of international students who has been locked out of NZ’s closed borders since last two years will finally be able to enter back into the country.
Responding to the query, an MBIE spokesperson said, “We do not expect significant numbers of current student visa holders to enter New Zealand.”
Explaining further the rationale behind the assertion, the official spokesperson said, “The Government has already allowed students to return under border exceptions, such as 1,000 places for returning Bachelor’s degree and post-graduate students to return to New Zealand to complete their studies.”
The spokesperson further revealed that “In April 2022, around 800 people overseas will have current student visas, but not all will still meet visa requirements or wish to travel.”
International students urged to seek proper advice before putting new application
Meanwhile, Education NZ has welcomed the latest announcement to reopen New Zealand’s borders as a positive step for international education.
ENZ Chief Executive Grant McPherson says this announcement is an important step towards rebuilding a strengthened and sustainable international education sector.
“The border reopening steps outlined today enable the international education sector to progressively open through 2022 for the existing cohorts, with a new much larger cohort able to enter New Zealand for study before semester two. More details of the new student cohort will be determined by the Ministers of Education and Immigration and advised in due course,” Mr McPherson said.
Mr. McPherson said education providers could now plan with greater certainty for the year ahead.
“In addition, from 14 March 2022 students entering New Zealand through the border exception cohorts will have the opportunity to self-isolate, rather than going through Managed Isolation and Quarantine facilities - subject to complying with all the required health and border requirements.”
Mr McPherson stressed the importance of seeking advice before moving forward with applications for enrolment. Students who have questions about this border class exception should contact their agent or preferred education provider in the first instance.