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• INZ student visa update: August 2024

  Post Study Work Visa – cross crediting study from post graduate diploma to masters 

  Provided eligibility is met, most level 8 post graduate diplomas will be eligible for a one year post study work visa (PSWV) with masters graduates eligible for a three year post study work visa. 

  In order to be eligible for a PSWV, post graduate diploma (level 8) and masters qualifications (level 9) require a minimum of 30 weeks full time study in the specific programme/qualification being presented for a PSWV. 

  Students must have held a student visa for that programme/qualification and apply for their PSWV within three months of the expiry date of the student visa for qualification they are presenting to INZ.

  Recently some students completed post graduate diplomas (PG dip) and cross credited directly into a taught masters. In these cases, the students did not undertake full time study in the masters for a minimum of 30 weeks full time in New Zealand, due to the cross credited PG Dip.

  This resulted in issues for the graduates when they applied for their PSWV. INZ is working directly with affected students and exploring options for them. However, it is important for agents and education providers to understand the PSWV rules.

  Eligibility for Post Study Work Visas following study at level 8 and 9 are: 

  • a minimum of 30 weeks full time study in that specific qualification, 
  • hold/held a student visa for that specific qualification, and
  • apply for their post study work visa within three months of the student visa expiry for that specific qualification.

  Although the initial coursework of a masters might be similar to, or the same as a post graduate diploma, the two programmes have different entry criteria and are recognised as separate qualifications. For students who want to cross credit their PG Dip to a masters and undertake some extra study in order to gain a three year PSWV for that masters, the student would need to have studied the masters itself full time for at least 30 weeks. 

  Note: Study weeks include exam preparation time, but exclude holiday periods and time spent repeating failed components.

  We will continue to engage with the education sector to ensure they are aware of the requirements for a post study work visa. If you have questions about this article and are an agent or student, please talk to your education provider in the first instance.

  Student visa peak – apply three months before intended travel

  The processing of international student visas is a key focus for INZ, particularly as we get closer to the end of the year.

  We are now coming into the period in which INZ receives the highest volumes of applications.

  As soon as they have all the documents they need to apply for their visa, students should submit their application three months before their intended travel date to give them the best chance of having their application decided in time. They can apply earlier than three months if they wish, as long as they have all the required information and documents.

  Our visa processing times are published on the INZ website and updated monthly: Visa processing times for international students

  New fees and levies for visas come into effect from 1 October 2024

  Earlier this month, the Government announced that the cost of applying for all visas will increase on 1 October 2024. 

  Until now, the immigration system has been heavily subsidised by taxpayers.

  The new fees have been set at a rate to recover the costs of assessing and processing each visa type and more accurately reflect the total service surrounding the immigration system.

  Student visa fees increase from $375 to $750. The post study work visa fee increases from $700 to $1670.

  Student visa fees differ depending on where the student applies from so be sure to check the new fees and levies here.

  It is also important to note that New Zealand does have agreements with some countries where student visa fees are waived, and these remain. You can find information here.

  INZ is receiving questions from the education sector on whether students can apply for visas now at the lower fee, and upload documents later once they are ready. 

  Applications received before 1 October 2024 will be charged the current fee, however if the applications are not ready for assessment because they are missing documents then this will result in delays or disappointment for the student. 

  INZ will not be contacting applicants if documents are missing from the application and, if the missing information is key to the assessment, then the applications may be declined.

  Please make sure you are advising students to submit their visa application when it is complete and ready for assessment. For more information, please see the student visa information sheets here - Student visa information | Immigration New Zealand

   

   

• ENZ seeks Expressions of Interest to grow the Thai schools’ sector

  In 2023, enrolments from Thailand were the fifth largest for New Zealand’s schools with most enrolments coming from students living in Bangkok. Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ) is now looking to grow this market by collaborating with New Zealand schools and regional Thai education agents to build partnerships with schools in cities outside the capital city (referred to as ‘second tier’ cities).

  The initiative, called the Thailand Second Tier City Promotion is planned to run in 2025-2026. ENZ is currently seeking feedback from New Zealand schools to measure interest in participating in the promotion and is running a survey until Tuesday 30 October 2024 for interested schools. 

  Collaborative school clusters are invited to participate in the initiative which will form sister school partnerships with regional Thai schools. Each cluster should consist of at least three schools.

  Through these partnerships, a wide range of study options for Thai students and schools will be available. This may include short-term 4-week school immersion programmes, 1 to 2 terms or full year study programmes, teacher trainings, virtual interaction, online curriculum-based collaborative projects etc. 

  ENZ’s Acting General Manager - International, Mr Ben Burrowes, said that over the years New Zealand has built a very strong reputation as a high-quality education destination particularly amongst students from Bangkok. He says that this helped the market rebound significantly post-Covid. 

  “With the international education market in Bangkok now highly saturated, ENZ sees this promotion as a good opportunity to help schools reach an untapped market in regions across Thailand. 

  “Through working with high performing regional education agencies and in collaboration with New Zealand schools, our initiative aims to support the development of sister school partnerships in each province,” said Ben.  

  “This is a strategic move to raise the profile of New Zealand’s school sector and grow interests from a new pool of prospective students and their parents,” added Ben. 

  If your school is interested in exploring this opportunity, please fill out this survey by Tuesday 30 October to help us match your interest with our upcoming initiative.  Additional information can be found in this document. If you have any questions, you can email these through to NZ’s Market Manager – Philippines & Thailand, Chortip Pramoolpol Chortip.Pramoolpol@enz.govt.nz.

• Update from Immigration New Zealand

  Peak processing season in full swing 

  Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has seen an increase in applications submitted during September 2024, ahead of the 1 October visa fee and levy increase and because of our ‘apply early’ messaging.  

  In September 2023, approximately 3,104 international student visa applications were submitted and in September 2024, approximately 6,893 international student visa applications have been submitted, an increase of 122%. 

  Now that we are in our peak processing period, we expect these processing times to grow as we receive a higher volume of applications. Students should get their visa application in at least 3 months before they plan to travel to New Zealand for the first semester of 2025. 

  By now, most students should have received an offer of place from their chosen education provider. Anyone expecting to study in the first term of 2025 should apply now.  

  We acknowledge that some students who are waiting on key study documentation are unable to apply 3 months ahead. In these cases, they should apply as soon as they have all of their documents, but they need to be aware that late applications may not be processed in time for them to start studying.  

  Immigration New Zealand has three student processing sites in New Zealand, and has allocated more staff to processing student visas, compared to last year’s peak. 
  
  Ensure you submit a complete application 

  To avoid delays, we encourage students, agents and advisers to follow the advice in our student visa information sheets. If they do not include all the required documents when they submit their application, it may be declined.  

  Applications that have a statement of purpose letter written by the student, telling us about their personal circumstances and plans in New Zealand, help us assess their intent. If a student intends to apply for another visa after study, they should declare this. Students are allowed to apply for another visa after they finish studying.    

• New Zealand-China Early Childhood Education Symposium to be hosted in New Zealand for the first time

  The fifth annual New Zealand-China Early Childhood Education Symposium – themed around digital transformation in early childhood education – is set to take place at Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury (UC) in Christchurch on 3 December.  

  This is the first time that the symposium will be hosted in New Zealand.  

  A 31-strong delegation from China across 21 universities, schools, kindergartens and government agencies will attend the event.  

  Co-organised by Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ), the China Center for International People-to-People Exchange (CCIPE) of the China Ministry of Education and UC, the symposium will see at least 25 presenters and 80 attendees from New Zealand and China present on a range of topics related to digital transformation in early childhood education. Audiences in New Zealand and China will also attend the symposium virtually. 

  Broad topics this year include emerging opportunities and challenges of artificial intelligence in teachers’ work in early childhood education, the use of digital technologies for early childhood education assessment, and digital transformation for communication and collaboration with families. 

  The event aims to foster academic exchanges and cooperation in early childhood education between New Zealand and China.  

  In June, during the visit by Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Education Minister Huai Jinpeng to New Zealand, UC signed a partnership agreement with the CCIPE at the New Zealand-China High-level Education Forum in Auckland. UC is also a current New Zealand-China Tripartite Partnership Programme recipient with two Chinese partners, Shanghai Normal University and Qufu Normal University, around early childhood education.  

  ENZ Acting General Manager International Ben Burrowes said the symposium highlights the long and fruitful bilateral engagement between New Zealand and China across a number of education areas.  

  “I am delighted to have New Zealand host the event for the first time. We have seen the symposium grow and go from strength to strength over the last five years and nurture relationships between our early childhood education providers.  

  “I look forward to hearing from presenters across the education landscape in both our countries sharing insights on digital transformation in early childhood education,” Burrowes said. 

  The University of Canterbury is honored to be the first tertiary institution in New Zealand to host the symposium, says Professor Joce Nuttall, Executive Dean of UC’s Faculty of Education Te Kaupeka Ako.  

  “As a university committed to future-focused education and the creation of meaningful local and global impact, the symposium is an invaluable opportunity for UC to engage in discussions with peers across New Zealand and China on the future of early childhood education between our two countries.”  

  Since 2020, the New Zealand-China Education Symposium has explored a rich range of themes and inspirational presentations on early childhood education, including exploring best practice for developing high-quality early childhood education teachers, and sustainable development in early childhood education and care. 

   

  For further information:  

  Justin Barnett | Director of Communications, Education New Zealand   

  justin.barnett@enz.govt.nz  

    +64 21 875 132  

   

• New Zealand universities continue to top world sustainability rankings

  The 2025 QS World University Rankings: Sustainability were released yesterday, highlighting that New Zealand’s universities continue to lead the way when it comes to environmental, social and governance sustainability. The rankings by QS Quacquarelli Symonds are in their third year and measure an institution’s ability to tackle the world’s greatest sustainability challenges.  

  New Zealand came out top country overall based on the average score of our universities for Environmental Impact and Governance, in addition to the Equality and Environmental Education lenses (among countries with at least eight universities ranked). This is good news for universities as they look to attract students to their campuses especially as QS Destination: Australia and New Zealand report 2024, found that 63% of students interested in studying in New Zealand say environmental sustainability was very or extremely important. 

  Ben Sowter, QS Vice President, said: “New Zealand’s higher education sector has long been a world leader in sustainability and this year’s results show yet again that the country punches above its weight, surpassing many of its international competitors. 

  “However, this year’s results also show that universities in other countries are improving their sustainability efforts, with New Zealand’s institutions advised to enhance their offers in areas of governance, employability and outcomes and health and wellbeing.” 

  The 2025 rankings showcase over 1,740 universities from 107 countries and territories. This reflects significant growth from last year’s rankings which included 1,397 institutions across 95 locations and more than 1,000 institutions since the inaugural rankings in 2022.  

  Jessica Turner, CEO of QS said that “The QS Sustainability Rankings provide a critical benchmarking tool for universities to evaluate their progress across areas such as knowledge exchange, equality, environmental impact, and governance. As more institutions engage with this framework, the increasing competitiveness of the ranking reflects the growing commitment globally to advancing sustainability in higher education.” 

  The full rankings can be found on the QS website here: QS World University Rankings: Sustainability.* 
  
  

  QS Quacquarelli Symonds  

  QS Quacquarelli Symonds is the world’s leading provider of services, analytics, and insight to the global higher education sector, whose mission is to empower motivated people anywhere in the world to fulfil their potential through educational achievement, international mobility, and career development.   

  The QS World University Rankings portfolio, inaugurated in 2004, is the world’s most popular source of comparative data about university performance.             

• From the CE: Accountability and balance

  ENZ has experienced a challenging operating environment in recent years, and it continues to work through changing expectations. In order to best prepare the organisation for the challenges ahead, I recently initiated an organisational restructure, the decisions of which were released to staff this week following a two-week consultation process. 

  I have been very clear as to what I am looking to achieve and have set out the following driving principles of:

  • Clear accountability for the delivery of core services and enabling support.
  • Achieving a balance between New Zealand based and offshore capability.
  • Improving decision making, communication and collaboration by ensuring appropriate spans of control.
  • Optimising spend, where appropriate, to meet government expectations.
  • Identifying and creating opportunities for investment into the future capability needed to deliver our strategy.
  • Positioning ENZ to deliver at speed, with agility and reinforce a culture of high performance.

  Key changes include a realignment and reduction of Senior Leadership roles by more than half, a focus on lifting the capability and resourcing of our international teams, changes for Sector Engagement and Services with a pivot toward a stronger focus on international services, and the creation of a Strategy, Capability and Performance Group. In total 28 roles have been disestablished with 17 new roles created. 

  ENZ now moves into a process to fill these new roles – with leadership roles to be advertised externally shortly. The new organisational structure will come into effect on 3 February 2025. 

  Change is never easy and I understand how difficult this has been for our ENZ team. I am very proud of the professional way everyone has engaged with this process. 

  I appreciate your understanding and patience for our people as we work through the implementation of this new structure. In the meantime, your key contacts and teams will remain the same. I will be able to provide a further update in the New Year.

  He taonga rongonui te aroha ki te tangata

  Kindness to all people is a great treasure.

   

  Ngā mihi nui,  

  Amanda Malu 

  Chief Executive  
  Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao 

• Immigration New Zealand update

  India delegation 

  Alison McDonald, Head of Immigration, joined ENZ Chief Executive Amanda Malu as part of the Prime Minister’s official delegation to India. Celia Coombes, Director Visa at Immigration New Zealand, responsible for the student visa product, joined Amanda and Ben Burrowes in India afterwards where they supported the New Zealand delegation at the Asia Pacific Association for International Education (APAIE) and met with the New Zealand Education Representatives in India (NZERI), a group of Indian education agents. 

  “Immigration New Zealand found the trip very valuable and insightful,” says Celia. 

  “Now we are working on how we can continue to support the growth of the education sector, particularly in India which is such an important market for New Zealand, and what needs to be done to support more applications being approved.” 

  New local points of contact in India and China 

  Immigration New Zealand has new Engagement Advisors appointed in New Delhi and Beijing. They will be a local point of contact and working to improve communication within both the education and tourism industry. 

  Visa processing 

  INZ is in a strong position for processing student visas, following initiatives put in place to make our processing more efficient. At the end of March 2025, international student visas were being decided in 10 days (two weeks) on average.  

  On average Te Pūkenga (New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology) applications are being processed within 2.5 weeks, 2 weeks for University applications, 3 weeks for Private Training Establishment applications and 1.5 weeks for school applications.  

  INZ have already decided more than 20,500 student visa applications so far this year, and approved around 18,000 student visa applications (from 1 Jan – 31 March 2025).  

  To help with faster visa processing, it is key that all the information and documents needed to decide the application is provided. All the details can be found on our information sheet for students on the INZ website: Student visa information | Immigration New Zealand.  

   

• Message from Amanda Malu, Chief Executive

  Tēnā tātou katoa,

  We have been deeply saddened to hear of the tragic death of Kyle Whorrall, an international student from Waipapa Taumata Rau, the University of Auckland over this Easter weekend.

  Kyle moved to New Zealand in 2021 from the United States as an international PhD student studying entomology in the university’s School of Biological Sciences.

  He is fondly remembered by family, friends and colleagues as a gentle, kind soul and a dedicated entomologist who was a rising young scientist in his field.

  Our thoughts and aroha remain with Kyle’s whānau and friends in the United States and New Zealand, and the wider community at the University of Auckland and Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research at this trying time.

  Ngā mihi nui,

  Amanda Malu

  Chief Executive

  Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao

• Support

  To help fuel the continuing growth of New Zealand’s international education industry, ENZ offers services such as advice, funding and agent support.

  ENZ’s advice focuses on both business and market development, while its funding streams are available to New Zealand students and to education providers.

• Advice

  ENZ’s business development managers provide New Zealand education organisations with advice to help them make the most of international growth opportunities.

  The entire ENZ team works to build the profile of New Zealand’s education system in key market with activities such as media visits, public relations and in-market events.