Latest news with #InternationalEducationGoingforGrowthPlan
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Business Standard
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Standard
New Zealand: Indian students can work 25 hours/week under new visa rules
Indians studying in New Zealand or planning to head there soon have reason to be optimistic. On July 14, 2025, the New Zealand government unveiled its new International Education Going for Growth Plan, which will tweak immigration rules to attract more international students, while keeping academic quality and immigration compliance intact. As part of this plan, Immigration New Zealand (INZ) will implement several visa-related changes from November 3, 2025. Students can work up to 25 hours a week Currently, international students can work up to 20 hours a week during term time. That cap will now increase to 25 hours for eligible tertiary and secondary school students. The new 25-hour limit will apply automatically to all new student visas granted from November 3, even if the application was submitted before the rule came into effect. But those holding existing student visas will need to either apply for a variation of conditions or a new visa to take advantage of the extra five hours. School students in Years 12 and 13 will still need written permission from both a parent and their school to work these hours. Notably, many student visas already allow full-time work during official breaks and holidays. If this applies, students can wait until after the summer break to apply for the extra in-study work hours—so long as their current visa remains valid. There are currently 40,987 student visa holders in New Zealand with in-study work rights: < 29,790 visas expire on or before March 31, 2026 < 11,197 visas expire after that Not everyone is expected to apply for the additional five hours. Some students may be close to completing their studies, while others may prefer to wait until their next visa renewal to add the change and avoid extra fees. Broader work rights for exchange and Study Abroad students From November, all tertiary-level students on approved exchange or Study Abroad programmes will also be eligible for in-study work rights. This includes even short-term enrolments such as one-semester courses. Until now, these rights were more limited and depended on specific course types or lengths. Change in institution or course level? Apply again INZ also clarified that students will now need to apply for a new visa, not just a variation of conditions, if they decide to change their education provider or lower the level of their study. This move brings greater regulatory certainty and ensures that visa conditions reflect a student's most current enrolment. Surge in Indian enrolments New Zealand has been gaining traction among Indian students over the past year. According to New Zealand Education, international student enrolments from India rose 34% in the January–August 2024 period, reaching 10,640. That's up from 7,930 in the entire 2023 calendar year. 'New Zealand is steadily gaining significance as a preferred alternate study destination over the 'Big Four' countries,' Piyush Kumar, regional director for South Asia, Canada and Latin America at IDP Education told Business Standard. He added, 'Our IDP data also reflects this, with the number of female student enrolments doubling over the same timeframe. This growth can be attributed to its student-first policies and supportive, holistic education system.' Kumar pointed out that the government's decision to exempt Indian degree holders from qualification assessment and simplify the skilled migration route had added to the country's appeal. Strong university rankings bolster appeal All eight of New Zealand's universities are featured in the QS World University Rankings 2026: University of Auckland (#65) University of Otago (#197) Massey University (#230) Victoria University of Wellington (#240) University of Canterbury (#261) University of Waikato (#281) Lincoln University (#407) Auckland University of Technology (AUT) (#410) 'With its welcoming and supportive policies, as well as clear pathways for studying and working, New Zealand is quickly becoming an attractive option. Moreover, all eight New Zealand universities rank amongst the top 500 in the QS World University Rankings 2026,' said Kumar.
NZ Herald
6 days ago
- Business
- NZ Herald
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon to announce Tāmaki Makaurau byelection date at post-Cabinet press conference
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is expected to announce the date of the Tāmaki Makaurau byelection at this afternoon's post-Cabinet press conference. A byelection is being held in the Auckland Māori seat after the death of Te Pāti Māori MP Takutai Tarsh Kemp, who had been battling kidney disease. It appears it will be a two-horse race between well-known broadcaster Oriini Kaipara for Te Pāti Māori and Labour's Peeni Henare, who held the seat for nine years until the 2023 when Kemp won the seat by a slim 42 votes. Voting during byelections is open for about two weeks for people already enrolled in the electorate. The Herald understands this afternoon's post-Cabinet press conference, held at 4pm, will also likely involve tertiary education, a portfolio led by National Minister Penny Simmonds. Simmonds has been overseeing the dismantling of Te Pūkenga, a mega-merger of the country's polytechnics and training organisations. The Vocational Education minister has previously described the polytech cluster as an 'abject disaster' and a 'financial mess' drowning in hundreds of millions of dollars of debt. Te Pūkenga was established in April 2020 under the previous Labour Government and merged 25 polytechnics and industry training organisations into one national network. Last week, RNZ reported warnings from Te Pūkenga's managers that the Government will still need to bail out the struggling polytechnics despite the reforms. The mega-merger's chief financial officer James Smith told a Parliamentary select committee the changes being made would leave behind a 'simplistic, inefficient volumetric system' with no ability to adjust price based on scale. 'We also expect because of this that the government will be relied upon for further ad hoc financial support for ITPs (Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics) in the future,' he said. Recently, the Universal College of Learning (Ucol) revealed plans to cut staff numbers and courses to save $7.1 million to be financially viable as a standalone institution. The disestablishment of Te Pūkenga means polytechnics, including Ucol, will now act as 'standalones'. This morning, the Government also announced plans to double the international student sector to $7.2 billion by 2034. Under the new 'International Education Going for Growth Plan' eligible student visa holders in New Zealand will now be able to work 25 hours per week, up from the current 20. It also wants to grow student enrolments from 83,700 in 2024 to 105,000 in 2027 and 119,000 by 2034 and increase the proportion of prospective students rating New Zealand among their top three choices from 18% in 2024 to 20% in 2027 and 22% in 2034.
1News
6 days ago
- Business
- 1News
Govt aims to double economic impact of international students by 2034
The Government has unveiled an ambitious plan to double the economic contribution of New Zealand's international education sector to $7.2 billion by 2034, up from $3.6 billion last year. Erica Stanford, both Minister of Education and of Immigration, said international education was not only a significant export earner but was a key driver for research, trade, and innovation. "On average in 2024, an international student spent $45,000 across the year. That means more visits to our cafes and restaurants, more people visiting our iconic attractions and ultimately more jobs being created." She said the Government wanted to "supercharge" already increasing enrolments and make New Zealand "the destination of choice" for international students. From November, the Government would increase in-study work rights from 20 to 25 hours per week and extend their eligibility to all tertiary students in approved exchange or study abroad programmes. ADVERTISEMENT The introduction of a short-duration work visa of up to six months for some international graduates would be investigated, alongside updates to make it easier for students to apply for multi-year visas. A plan, titled the International Education Going for Growth Plan, sets out the following objectives: Raise awareness of New Zealand as a study destination from 38% in 2024, to 42% in 2027 and 44% by 2034 Grow student enrolments from 83,700 in 2024 to 105,000 in 2027 and 119,000 by 2034 Increase the proportion of prospective students rating NZ among their top 3 choices of study destination from 18% in 2024 to 20% in 2027 and 22% in 2034. In the short term, Education NZ would focus marketing on high-potential markets and promote New Zealand as a safe and welcoming place to live and study. Stanford said the Government was taking a "considered and strategic approach" to achieve its ambitious target. "It's important to strike the right balance between increasing student numbers, maintaining the quality of education, and managing broader impacts on New Zealanders. Our plan will deliver that."
Scoop
6 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Making NZ Top Destination For International Students
The Government's going for growth in international education, releasing its plan to double the sector's economic contribution to $7.2 billion by 2034. 'International education is one of our largest exports, injecting $3.6 billion into our economy in 2024. It also provides opportunities for research, strengthening trade and people-to-people connections, which are important to drive investment, productivity and innovation in New Zealand. 'On average in 2024, an international student spent $45,000 across the year. That means more visits to our cafes and restaurants, more people visiting our iconic attractions and ultimately more jobs being created. 'With international student enrolments steadily increasing since 2023, we want to supercharge that growth track and make New Zealand the destination of choice for international students,' says Education Minister Erica Stanford. To support this, from November the Government will: Increase in-study work rights from 20 to 25 hours per week for eligible student visa holders. Extend eligibility for in-study work rights to all tertiary students in approved exchange or Study Abroad programmes, including programmes one-semester long. In addition, the following will be investigated: Introduce a short-duration work visa of up to six months to provide some international graduates who do not qualify for post-study work rights, allowing time to seek employment in their field of study under the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) pathway. Updates to make it easier for students to apply for multi-year visas. Advertisement - scroll to continue reading The International Education Going for Growth Plan sets out short, medium and long-term actions for agencies to boost New Zealand's presence in overseas markets, attract talented students, build sector capacity and capability, and support the university sector through system improvements. Its objectives are: raise awareness of New Zealand as a study destination from 38% in 2024, to 42% in 2027 and 44% by 2034. grow student enrolments from 83,700 in 2024 to 105,000 in 2027 and 119,000 by 2034. increase the proportion of prospective students rating NZ among their top 3 choices of study destination from 18% in 2024 to 20% in 2027 and 22% in 2034. 'In the short term, Education New Zealand will focus its promotional efforts on markets with the highest potential for growth. Across all markets, promotional activities will aim to elevate awareness of New Zealand as a premier study destination that is a safe and welcoming place to live and learn. 'To achieve our ambitious target, we're taking a considered and strategic approach. It's important to strike the right balance between increasing student numbers, maintaining the quality of education, and managing broader impacts on New Zealanders. Our plan will deliver that,' says Ms Stanford.
NZ Herald
6 days ago
- Business
- NZ Herald
Government wants to grow international student numbers by over 30,000 in next nine years
The Government has outlined its plan to double the international student sector to $7.2 billion by 2034. Under the new 'International Education Going for Growth Plan' eligible student visa holders in New Zealand will now be able to work 25 hours per week, up from the current 20. It also
