New Zealand is fast becoming a leading destination for overseas students. International students also pick New Zealand to experience the Kiwi lifestyle, as a safe location to push personal boundaries, and, in certain cases, to pursue long-term or permanent residency prospects.
Tertiary Education and Skills Minister Penny Simmonds said that New Zealand’s international education sector has rebounded strongly, up 24% year-on-year and 6% above 2023 level.
With 73,535 enrolments between January to August 2024, more enrolments have been achieved in just two terms this year than New Zealand saw in all of last year, said Simmonds. While China and India lead, enrolments have grown from the US, Thailand, Germany, Sri Lanka, and the Philippines, each now contributing 3% of international students.
Gisborne, Marlborough, Hawke’s Bay and Waikato are some of the regional cities that have experienced higher inflows of foreign students. The cost of studying and living in New Zealand is lower than other popular countries for foreign education.
The October to February period is when most international students apply for a study visa in New Zealand. This time, the enrollments show national recovery as well as significant regional gains from 2023. Gisborne has experienced remarkable growth with an increase of 126%, Marlborough has had an increase of 45%, Hawke’s Bay has increased 28%, and Waikato is up 26%.
Universities and schools are driving growth, with universities enrolling 31,345 international students, a 14% increase, and schools rising by 33% to 16,815 students, including a 69% surge in primary school enrolments. Funded private training establishments also grew by 80% on last year.
The country has amended its post-study work visa eligibility requirements to provide more flexibility to international students who finished a 30-week Postgraduate Diploma and pursued a Master’s degree without a 30-week Masters programme, ensuring their job eligibility post-qualification. The revised rules will assist persons who were previously denied the PSW visa become eligible for it.
New Zealand had increased visa charges for students, workers and other immigrants from October 1, 2024. Most international visitors applying for a visa or NZeTA to enter New Zealand also need to pay a non-refundable IVL of NZD$100.00. The levy is charged for most Visitor visas, Student visas (excluding dependent child category), Working Holiday and Work Exchange schemes and Student and Trainee Work visas amongst others.
