Immigration New Zealand has released figures showing that the number of study visas approved in the year leading up to June 2023 was 62,011. Although this is lower than the 83,733 visas approved in 2019-20, it indicates a recovery from the significant decline during the Covid-19 pandemic when the country's borders were closed.
The data for 2022-23 reveals an increase in declined New Zealand study visa applications from India. Out of 7,263 study visa applications granted, 2,360 from India were rejected. China remains the largest group of international students, with 18,369 student visas granted in 2022-23. In comparison, India had 642 study visa applications declined.
Overall, 6,483 study visa applications got rejected, and India accounted for more than a third of these rejections. More than 1,000 student visa applications were received from 13 countries, with the highest numbers coming from the Philippines (2,928), South Africa (2,812), the US (2,409) and South Korea (2,313).
Also Read: US F1 Visa Appointment Dates to be Announced Soon for Indian Students, says Embassy
It is important to note that these figures represent the number of visas granted and do not indicate the exact number of students who arrived in the country.
Additionally, data on first-time students shows that between July 1, 2022, and May 31, 2023, 41,593 first-time student visas were approved, marking a significant increase of 34,370 compared to the previous year. Out of these first-time students, 13,960 were from non-top 10 sending countries. China had the highest number of applications with 8,512, followed by India with 5,826, and the Philippines with 2,564.
Grant McPherson, CEO of Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao, emphasised the long-term importance of the Indian market due to its projected economic growth. He also highlighted the need for students to carefully review the visa application criteria set out by Immigration New Zealand before applying.
Although the rejection rates for Indian applicants have returned to pre-Covid levels, they have not reached the peak observed in the mid-2010s. The PIE reached out to Immigration New Zealand for clarification on the higher rejection rates for Indian applicants but did not receive a response.
English language study visas reached 5,054 in 2022-23, lower than the peak of 15,649 in 2017-18. Kim Renner, executive director at English New Zealand, noted that the visa data does not fully reflect the English language sector's overall situation. She explained that short-term students on visitor and working holiday visas have contributed significantly to the sector's recovery and student numbers.
New Zealand has been actively diversifying its international student population, with a focus on quality in its international education strategy. Grant McPherson highlighted the competition faced by New Zealand's international education sector and stressed the importance of promoting the country as a welcoming destination for students.
Grant McPherson also mentioned the investment made by Education New Zealand in internationalisation and student mobility initiatives, including the relaunch of the New Zealand Excellence Awards. These scholarships are jointly funded by Education New Zealand and all New Zealand universities and have provided opportunities for more than 200 Indian students to study in the country since 2016.
Check Out the Top Courses in New Zealand!
Source: The PIE News
