In a recent update, the New Zealand government has declared how 5,000 study spaces set aside for international students returning to the country, will be allotted among the universities by April 2022.

Check: Top Universities/Colleges in New Zealand

Border Class Exemption plans proposed by the government in early February stipulated that some students would be able to rejoin even before full student visa processing resumes in October 2022. 

Total 1450 spots have been assigned to Universities, T Pkenga (New Zealand’s institute for skills and technology) has 700 spots, 1,000 to schools, private training establishments have 850 spots and the remaining 1,000 spots are allocated to English language schools.

Check: Student Visa New Zealand: Types, Cost, Application Process and Requirements

Chris Whelan, Chief Executive of Universities New Zealand (Te Pkai Tara) was found quoting, “although the 8 universities of the country could have filled the places in the latest allotment of exemptions, the government has come forward with a formula that would be useful in calculating how the distribution will take place in tertiary sub-sectors.”

“Due to the number of providers, ELSs and PTEs are required to register for the spots. After this, the education providers will decide which student will be assigned which spot”, he further added. A few days back, the New Zealand government announced that they would be uplifting travel restrictions across the borders for visitors.

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From May 2, 2022, fully vaccinated travelers will be able to enter the country without being quarantined. According to the reports, those students who couldn’t mark their place in these 5,000 returning students in April, will not be able to begin their studies in New Zealand until 2023. However, the government is trying to make changes in the plan to include as many international students in the second semester in July and August as possible.

34,000 international students were enrolled in New Zealand in 2019, which accounted for $1.25 billion to the country’s GDP per year, but the sector has suffered since New Zealand closed its border in 2020 in the wake of the covid-19 pandemic.

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