New Zealand has just announced important updates to its Post-Study Work Visa (PSWV) criteria for international students.
International students in New Zealand - Photo: CSJC
According to the announcement from Immigration NZ, international students who complete a 30-week Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) program and then immediately transfer to a master's program will be eligible to apply for a PSWV visa.
The PGDip program is a type of post-graduate certificate - college for people who want to improve their qualifications and experience.
This policy is designed to increase flexibility in international students' study pathways, while ensuring they can stay in New Zealand to work after completing their studies.
“Students who have completed a 30-week PGDip and immediately progressed to a master’s degree, but do not have the 30-week master’s degree, can now still apply for a PSWV based on their PGDip,” Immigration NZ said in a statement.
For students who have completed an eligible programme but then pursue a higher level of study that does not meet the PSWV criteria, such as an insufficient study load, the New Zealand Government also applies a “grace period” to protect the student’s interests.
"With this positive change, students who enrol in a master's programme immediately after completing a PGDip will still be able to apply for a post-study work visa, showing that the policy has become more supportive," said Ms. Vijeta Kanwar - CEO of New Zealand Gateway.
These regulations apply to a wide range of courses, aiming to attract high-quality students and skilled professionals in occupations with labour shortages, Ms Kanwar said.
“These changes should have been introduced earlier, as they will help retain skilled workers in New Zealand. The new policy is expected to attract more interest from Indian and South Asian students,” said Ms Kanwar.
Universities are also optimistic about the new policy, as nearly half of international students in New Zealand are currently studying postgraduate programmes.
“The recognition of the PGDip as a standalone qualification eligible for a post-study work visa shows that the New Zealand Government values the skills and knowledge students gain, and creates a clear pathway for them to gain work experience,” said Riddhi Khurana, South Asia regional advisor at the University of Otago.
The policy is expected to make New Zealand a more attractive destination, especially for students from India and South Asia.
To be eligible for a three-year work visa, students must complete at least 30 weeks of full-time study in New Zealand in a master's program.
New Zealand "goes against" the trend
As many other countries adjust their visa policies, New Zealand is increasingly gaining favor from international students. In 2023, more than 69,000 international students studied in New Zealand, an increase of 67% compared to 2022.
Additionally, a recent survey found that the majority of students rated New Zealand very positively. Nearly nine in 10 international students rated the country as an ideal study destination, with the proportion of students rating it as “excellent” reaching an all-time high.
However, some of the countries that provide the largest number of international students to New Zealand are seeing rising visa refusal rates.
For example, according to PIE News , in the first four months of 2024, Immigration NZ rejected nearly half of student visa applications from India, causing concern for many universities.
Source: https://tuoitre.vn/new-zealand-thay-doi-chinh-sach-visa-lam-viec-sau-tot-nghiep-cho-du-hoc-sinh-20241122105309837.htm
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