Normal New Zealand student visa processing will restart in October 2022, thanks to New Zealand's five-step border opening plan, which has been hailed as a "good move" for international education. In April, up to 5,000 overseas students will be allowed to enter the country under a border exemption class, according to the proposal. According to Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao, the resumption to normal visa procedures will allow overseas students to enroll for study in New Zealand in 2023.

"By the time we reopen our border, we'll be one of the world's most vaccinated and boosted countries, and the Covid-19 Protection Framework will be well established in assisting in the management of Covid outbreaks," said Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins in a statement.

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During the pandemic, the government has allowed certain overseas students to enter the country, with border exemption classes in 2021 and 2020. According to ENZ chief executive Grant McPherson, the measures will allow the foreign education industry to "progressively open through 2022 for existing cohorts, with a new considerably bigger cohort eligible to enter New Zealand for study before semester two."

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The news, according to Universities New Zealand, provides "much-needed security" for universities and their present and potential overseas students who "had been waiting patiently offshore for such a long time."

“We value the certainty that comes from the announcement that borders will be fully reopened to international students from October, will ensure that universities in Aotearoa New Zealand will be completely open to them again in time for the start of the academic year in 2023," said Chris Whelan, the peak body's chief executive. "At least some foreign university students will be able to make it onshore for the start of semester two," says the partial reopening on April 13 for 5,000 international students.

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"For New Zealand education providers, overseas students, and those who assist them, it has been a very difficult moment." The sector has been patient as the borders have been properly controlled to reduce the threat presented by Covid-19." "Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada are already completely reopened to foreign students," Whelan added, "but New Zealand won't be until October, in time for 2023, placing us a year or more behind those competitive countries." However, from July, students from visa-exempt nations such as Japan and South Korea will be able to visit New Zealand for up to three months, according to McPherson.

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"With Covid-19 border controls set to take two and a half years, New Zealand has a lot of catching up to do, so it's wonderful that the Minister of Education plans to go later this year to help revive our international education markets," Whelan said. Stakeholders have previously expressed concern that the government's intention to reopen the country's borders will put New Zealand's education providers at a competitive disadvantage.

"In the meanwhile, our institutions look forward to welcoming back as many foreign students as possible in 2022 and benefiting from their vital presence in our communities, both on and off campus," Whelan said.

McPherson went on to say that the country's education providers will continue to incorporate the "innovation and variety" into online learning and course delivery from outside the country that they demonstrated during the epidemic into the country's offer in the future.

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