The New Zealand government recently declared how the 5,000 spaces set aside for international students to return to the country in April would be distributed among institutions.
Border class exemption proposals revealed by the government in early February indicate that some students will be able to return before full student visa processing resumes in October 2022.
Universities now have 1,450 spots, Te Pkenga (New Zealand’s institution for skills and technology) has 700, schools have 1,000, private training establishments have 850, and English language schools have 1,000.
Although New Zealand’s eight universities could have filled the places in the latest allotment of exemptions on their own, Chris Whelan, chief executive of Universities New Zealand – Te Pkai Tara, stated that the government has the formula to calculate how they are distributed across all tertiary sub-sectors, which is only fair and as it should be.
“We, in turn, have a formula to ensure universities’ allocation of 1,450 places are distributed fairly – based on the number of international students each university had before Covid.”
Due to “the number of suppliers,” schools, ELSs, and PTEs will need to apply for spots. Education providers will then decide which pupils will be assigned to which slots. On March 16, the New Zealand government declared that it will be opening its borders to visitors.
Fully vaccinated visitors from about 60 countries will be permitted to enter the nation beginning May 2 without being quarantined. Some educational institutions wish to see plans for all overseas students to return brought up as well.
According to current schedules, international students who are not among the 5,000 returning in April would be unable to begin studying in New Zealand until 2023.
“Given the government’s ongoing changes to border restrictions, we would like to see the limit lifted and that 5,000 expanded to any students who can get here for the second semester in July and August,”
“International students should be prioritised for re-entry, particularly those who have already committed to New Zealand.”
said Whelan.
In 2019, 34,000 international students were enrolled in New Zealand universities, contributing $1.25 billion to the country’s GDP each year, but the sector has suffered since New Zealand closed its borders in March 2020.
Whelan is positive about the return of students in April for the time being. Universities are ready and eager to welcome these students in time for the second semester, he said. Many more overseas students could join them if border restrictions are lifted sooner.
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