Foreign Students Face Reduced Red Tape For New Zealand Study Visas

New Zealand has become a popular destination for foreign students

, particularly those from South East Asia. Its popularity lies in part in the fact that it provides a much cheaper option than other western countries. With recent new laws implemented by the New Zealand government, the country may find itself an even more popular study destination.

New Zealands Immigration Minister Jonathan Coleman indicated recently that a new type of student visa and considerably less red tape will now make it easier than ever for international students to obtain a student visa to be schooled in New Zealand.

Until the passing of the new Immigration Act, international students were put through a rigorous pre visa examination involving police checks and a medical certificate issued after countless tests and x-rays.

Under the new Immigration Act, which recently came into effect, an interim student visa can be granted to students while their applications are being processed. The frequency for which police and medical certificates must be provided is also being extended.

The changes to New Zealand Laws, which will come into force in time for the new school year in February 2011 will be good news for New Zealand schools and international students alike. The export education sector is already a $2 billion a year market and it is inevitable given these changes that this will increase.

Dr Coleman was quoted as saying.

Interim visas mean students can still study here lawfully while their application is being processed, provided that they are lawfully in New Zealand when they apply.

He also said, They will still have to meet all our standard criteria, but the visa provides peace of mind for students and makes the enrolment process smoother for education providers.

The minister stressed that interim visas would not be ranted if there were significant concerns about an applicant. In the 2009/2010 period, immigration in New Zealand issued visas to 94,000 students of which over 65,000 were full fee paying. Under the new laws, fee paying foreign students will only need to provide police checks and medical certificates every three years rather than the present two yearly requirement.

The minister said, These certificates can be expensive for students to obtain, and sometimes applications are returned because certificates have expired. This change will make it that bit easier and cheaper. Now a student studying for a Bachelors degree at university will only have to provide one medical certificate at the beginning, rather than a second one part way through their study.

The new act brings a number of significant changes to New Zealand laws as they relate to immigration but this may be the most pivotal one. For further information on student visas and assistance with immigration matters or any other area of law contact your lawyer Christchurch

by: Ashley Stevenson

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