New Zealand has updated its immigration policy, easing work visa regulations for partners of international students enrolled in specific higher education programs, as announced on the official immigration website, New Zealand Immigration.
Under the new requirements, partners of international students studying level 7 or 8 qualifications listed on the Green List can now apply for work visas with open conditions, according to Erudera.com. These qualifications encompass graduate certificates and diplomas, bachelor's and postgraduate diplomas, postgraduate certificates, and bachelor's honors degrees.
The Green List was introduced by New Zealand’s government to address skill shortages exacerbated by COVID-19 restrictions. The list includes roles that are in high demand and require international talent.
"We have updated the Green List with the main Bachelor degrees and Bachelor Honours qualifications that lead to registration for certain occupations. These are occupations that have registration as a requirement instead of New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) qualifications," states New Zealand Immigration.
The change, effective June 21, 2024, means international students studying for roles included on the Green List can support their partner’s application for a Partner of a Student Work Visa. This move reflects New Zealand’s commitment to attracting international students and providing support for their families.
Additionally, dependent school-aged children of eligible partners will receive the same benefits as domestic students. They can apply for a Dependent Child Student Visa, exempting them from paying tuition fees for school attendance.
According to the government's website, the Green List includes over 200 roles such as:
- Analyst Programmer
- Building Project Manager
- Cardiologist
- Clinical Physiologist
- Dairy Farm Manager
- Database Administrator
- Dentist
- Developer Programmer
- Educational Psychologist
- Electrical Engineer
- Midwife
- Registered Nurse
- Social Worker
- Software Engineer
- Veterinarian
In 2023, New Zealand saw 69,135 international students enrolled in various educational institutions, marking a 67 percent increase from 2022.
“Over 69,000 enrolments from international students all over the world is good news for our education sector and positive for our communities. It confirms that New Zealand is an attractive place to study, offering a quality learning experience inside and outside the classroom in a safe, welcoming environment,” said Linda Sissons, Acting Chief Executive of Education New Zealand.
The university sector has reported the strongest recovery, with 29,065 students representing 86 percent of 2019 enrollment levels. China, India, and Japan remain the top three countries with the highest number of students in New Zealand.