August 03, 2022
New Zealand Starts Visa Processing: Opens International Borders Post Pandemic
O On July 31, 2022, at midnight, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced that New Zealand's borders would once again be open to visitors from abroad. The choice would allow visitors and students from other countries who do not require visas to enter the country. She asserted that despite the opening of borders, the procedure was cautious and staged. The decision is a huge relief for the struggling New Zealand international education sector and the tourism industry.
International student income, which had previously been close to $5 billion annually and was New Zealand's fourth-largest export earner, saw a sharp decline in 2021. But there has been a consistent flow of new enrolments in New Zealand for the end of 2022 and the beginning of 2023, and it is anticipated that this trend will continue throughout the year.
As borders open, stakeholders in the education sector are hoping that more international students will attend college in New Zealand's universities, which they claim have top-notch facilities and educational opportunities.
…while we’ve continued to support the sector with border exceptions through the pandemic, the full resumption of visa processing is great news for our universities, polytechnics, and…
In a recent interaction, Michael Wood, the minister of immigration, talked about the industry's financial significance. "While we've continued to support the sector with border exceptions throughout the pandemic, the full resume of visa processing is fantastic news for our universities, polytechnics, and wnanga, schools, English language schools, and private training establishments," he said.
Since May 2, the border has been open to 60 nations that do not require visas, including important tourist destinations like the UK, US, Germany, Japan, and South Korea.
A lot of people in the industry are ready for the challenge that lies ahead, including McPherson, who stated that "rebuilding the sector will not be quick or easy or without new challenges.”
Despite the fact that the number of international students attending will increase revenue, some parties, including Jason Cushen, director of international at the University of Otago, which has lost more than $40 million in revenue from international students since the start of the pandemic, are dubious. It will take some time before we resume enrolling the same number of students as in 2019 at the University of Otago, which has lost more than $40 million in revenue from international students since the start of the pandemic, are dubious. He said when discussing the decision to open borders, "It will take some time before we resume enrolling the same number of students as in 2019."
Posted in News and tagged News, New Zealand, Visa, International Students, University of Otago, Student Enrolments
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