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- 2016 PTE International Student Experience Survey FAQs
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International students report high satisfaction as New Zealand sees steady recovery in enrolments
This year, 87 percent of students gave a positive rating of their overall experience, maintaining the upward trend seen in 2024 (86%). The proportion of students who rated their experience as ‘excellent’ rose to 43 percent, a two percent increase from the previous year.
These strong satisfaction results come as international student enrolments in New Zealand continue to grow. Between January and April 2025, 63,610 international students were enrolled with New Zealand education providers, a 16% increase compared to the same period in 2024 (54,690), and a 49% increase on 2023 (42,700).
All education subsectors saw growth, with Private Training Establishments (PTEs) showing the strongest increase at +41% compared to 2024.
China and India remained the top source markets, followed by Japan, South Korea, Sri Lanka, USA, Nepal, the Philippines, Thailand, and Germany. Notably, Sri Lanka rose to fifth place (from ninth), and Nepal to seventh (from eleventh), reflecting shifting dynamics in student mobility.
What students value most
Students were most positive about the people and connections they made in New Zealand (92%), the quality of their education (90%), their arrival and orientation experience (89%), the ease of making study arrangements (87%), and their overall living experience (87%).
International students’ experiences of making study arrangements have notably improved, with 80 percent of students rating their experience with the visa application process positively (up from 78% in 2024), and 74% positively rating the time taken to get their visa (up from 64%).
Education New Zealand and Immigration New Zealand will continue to collaborate on provision of information to students to ensure an enhanced student experience.
The survey also shows an increasing proportion of international students regard New Zealand as offering good value for money, with positive perceptions rising from 65% to 76%.
Education New Zealand's Chief Executive, Amanda Malu, said the results reflect New Zealand’s ability to provide a high-quality education within an environment that fosters meaningful connections and relationships.
“This is encouraging news for New Zealand. The fact that students continue to rate their experience here as excellent is a credit to our education providers and speaks to the warmth of the welcome our communities extend to international students,” she said.
“We’re seeing a steady and encouraging recovery in international education. It’s not a boom, but a sign that our collective efforts are making a difference. What matters most is that students are not just coming to New Zealand, they’re having a high-quality experience that supports wellbeing and a sense of belonging.”
“Under the International Education Going for Growth Plan, we’re focused on thoughtful, sustainable growth. These insights help us ensure that our progress is not just about numbers, but about delivering long-term value to students, communities, and the wider economy.”
Education New Zealand’s Director Insights and Performance, Marie Clark, said the survey continues to be a key piece of work for ENZ and a useful tool for the international education sector.
“It remains the only national survey focused on international student experience in all subsectors in New Zealand. With several years of data now collected, we’re building a meaningful picture of student experience over time,” she said.
“The ability to break down insights by variables like country, sector, and gender makes the dataset especially useful. We expect the report and Tableau dashboards will be very practical resources for anyone working in the sector,” Clark added.
For further information:
- Visit Tableau Public to access the data sets: International Student Experience Survey 2025 | Tableau Public
- Sai Raje | Senior Communications Advisor, Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao
sai.raje@enz.govt.nz | +64 21 479 649
Notes to Editors:
About the New Zealand International Student Experience Survey 2025
The survey aims to better understand the overall experience of international students enrolled with New Zealand education providers, as well as recent graduates. It also identifies areas for improvement to enhance the student journey.
Fieldwork was conducted from 28 April to 19 May 2025 with 5,420 respondents across all education subsectors and stages of study.
About Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao
Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ) is the government agency dedicated to helping New Zealand realise the social, cultural, and economic benefits of international education. Our role is to promote New Zealand as a high-quality education destination offering excellent education and student experiences.
With approximately 85 staff in 13 locations around the world, ENZ works closely with New Zealand’s diverse education sector which includes schools, English language providers, Private Training Establishments, Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics (New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology Te Pūkenga), and universities.
Internationally, we work with a range of education stakeholders, including government agencies and education providers to identify and encourage sustainable growth opportunities for New Zealand’s education sector.
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Update from Immigration New Zealand
Update for international students: In-study work hours increasing from 3 November
From 3 November 2025, eligible international students will be able to work up to 25 hours per week during the semester - an increase from the current 20-hour limit. This change applies to all new student visas granted from that date, even if the application was submitted earlier.
If international students hold a student visa with a 20-hour work limit and want to take advantage of the new 25-hour allowance, they will need to apply for a variation of conditions (VOC) or a new student visa and pay the relevant fee
They can choose to apply now for the extra five hours or if their visa allows full-time work during summer vacation then they do not require the extra five hours and may choose to wait until later to apply for a variation. Some students will choose not to apply for a variation of conditions at all, and wait until their next student visa application
The process for applying for a variation of conditions depends on which system a visa was submitted through i.e. the old system or through enhanced Immigration Online.
For more information, visit Upcoming changes to student visa work rights: Immigration New Zealand
If they’re unsure which system their visa was issued in or which form to use, they can contact us for support before applying: Contact us: Immigration New Zealand
Update for international students: Changing your education provider or lowering your level of study from 3 November 2025
If a student visa holder is planning to change education provider or lower their level of study (for example, from a degree to a diploma), they’ll need to apply for a new student visa - not just a variation of conditions.
Upcoming changes to student visa work rights: Immigration New Zealand
This requirement ensures their visa accurately reflects the new study situation and complies with immigration requirements.
Before making any changes, students or their representatives should check the INZ website for guidance on how to apply for a new student visa on enhanced Immigration Online and ensure they apply in advance to avoid any disruption to their studies.
For more information, visit Study visas: Immigration New Zealand
Update for international students: Keep your visa photo filter free
We all like to look our best, but to avoid delays or declines, visa application photos must be a true, unedited likeness. That means students must abandon those filters and submit an accurate photo in order to avoid processing delays or declines.
Immigration New Zealand uses facial recognition, so filters, AI edits, or beauty enhancements interfere with identity checks. Photos must meet international biometric standards - natural skin tones, clear lighting, and no digital alterations.
Edited images including smoothing skin, changing eye size, reshaping facial features, or cropping your head onto a plain background will cause delays in processing and may lead to declined applications.
Key tips:
- Don’t use selfies - get someone to take your photo or use a professional.
- Tell photographers not to apply digital enhancements, like beauty filters or AI adjustments.
- Some photo apps or online tools may not be suitable for visa applications.
More information and examples of acceptable photos can be found on our website: Acceptable photos for a visa or NZeTA : Immigration New Zealand
Guardian visitor visa applications moving online from 3 November
From 3 November 2025, all Guardian Visitor Visa applications should be submitted on Immigration New Zealand’s enhanced Immigration Online system. This update is part of INZ’s broader digital transformation, aimed at improving the visa experience for families supporting international students.
While the information required remains the same, the application form may look a little different.
The enhanced system offers better application tracking and a more streamlined experience for applicants. Updated guidance and support materials are built into the form.
If you have an application in draft or submitted under the old application form, you will still be able to access or submit this application after 3 November 2025. We will notify you when the old application form is due to close.
For current visa holders, if your child is applying for a new student visa and you intend to apply for another Guardian Visitor Visa, both applications should be submitted through the enhanced system.
This change is particularly relevant for education providers, agents, and advisers supporting families of international students. Please share this update with your networks and encourage early preparation ahead of the transition.
Guardian Visitor Visa applications moving to enhanced Immigration Online: Immigration New Zealand
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