Lori Meadows
New Zealand has been slowly reopening its borders to international students since April 2021, when it allowed 1,000 students to return to campuses. In April 2022, the country reopened its borders in five stages, with fully vaccinated international students prioritised for the third stage beginning on 12 April. A total of 5,000 international students were allowed to enter the country for the second semester of the academic year under a special border exemption category. This decision was made to support the country's economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and to help the international education sector, which is worth $5 billion annually to the country's economy.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 12 April 2022 |
| Number of students | 5,000 |
| Student status | Fully vaccinated |
| Visa status | Visa processing systems will be up and running by October 2022 |
| Accommodation | Students must register in the Managed Isolation Allocation System (MIAS) and select their intended arrival date |
| Quarantine | 14-day stay in managed isolation and quarantine facilities |
| Support | AUT is offering students the opportunity to apply and live in one of its halls of residence with an NZD $1,000 accommodation grant |
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What You'll Learn
New Zealand's cautious border reopening
New Zealand has adopted a cautious approach to reopening its borders to international students. The country has had some of the world's toughest travel restrictions since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, including a ban on foreign travellers. These strict border controls have been credited with keeping New Zealand's coronavirus case numbers and deaths low. However, the restrictions have negatively impacted the country's universities, with thousands of international students unable to return to campus.
In January 2021, the New Zealand government announced that 1,000 international students would be allowed to return to campuses from April 2021. This decision was made to support the country's economic recovery from the pandemic, with the education sector being a significant contributor to New Zealand's economy. The initial plan was to bring back 300 students in April, followed by 700 more throughout the year, allowing for managed isolation. All returning students were required to follow COVID-19 health and safety protocols, including a 14-day stay in managed isolation and quarantine facilities.
Despite these efforts, New Zealand continued to face challenges in attracting international students, especially when compared to competitor countries like Australia, which had already reopened its borders to international students. In February 2022, New Zealand announced a staged border reopening plan for 2022, with fully vaccinated international students prioritised in the third stage beginning on April 12, 2022. This stage would allow 5,000 international students to return for the second semester under a special border exemption category.
While this was welcomed as a positive step, it was also acknowledged that New Zealand would need to play catch-up to remain competitive in the international education sector. The selection process for the 5,000 students was not entirely clear, but it was known that they would be in addition to the 1,000 students approved for entry in 2021. Additionally, students from Visa Waiver countries like Japan and South Korea would be able to enter New Zealand from July for short visits of up to three months. By October 2022, the visa processing systems for all international students were expected to be fully operational.
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International students' return in April 2022
New Zealand will reopen its borders to international students in April 2022. This marks a significant step in the country's economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, which saw the implementation of some of the world's toughest travel restrictions.
The country's universities have been negatively impacted by the ban on foreign travellers, with thousands of international students unable to return to campus. The return of international students is expected to bring about a much-needed boost to the economy, as they contribute approximately NZ$5 billion annually and support around 45,000 jobs.
The reopening will occur in five stages throughout 2022, with fully vaccinated international students prioritised for the third stage, beginning on April 12. A total of 5,000 students will be allowed to enter the country for the second semester of the academic year under a special border exemption category. This is in addition to the 1,000 students who were approved for entry in 2022 last fall.
Students entering New Zealand will be required to follow COVID-19 health and safety protocols, including full vaccination, a negative pre-departure test, a declaration of full travel history, and testing upon arrival. They will also need to self-isolate for seven days, a change from the previous requirement of a 14-day stay in managed isolation facilities.
The selection process for the 5,000 students has not yet been announced, but it is expected that they will be distributed across the country's universities. The New Zealand government's commitment to the international education sector is evident, and the country remains a desirable destination for students worldwide.
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The impact on the country's economy
New Zealand's economy has been impacted by the absence of international students during the COVID-19 pandemic. The country has some of the world's toughest travel restrictions, including a ban on foreign travellers, which left thousands of international students unable to enter the country.
The international education sector in New Zealand contributed NZ$3.9 billion in 2019, but this dropped to NZ$800 million in 2022 when the country's borders remained closed. The sector was once the country's fourth-largest export sector, and its pandemic losses were felt across the entire economy. The presence of international students created 6,000 jobs in 2019, and their absence resulted in a significant decrease in revenue for universities, with 34,000 international students contributing about NZ$5 billion to the economy and supporting around 45,000 jobs.
The New Zealand government recognised the importance of the international education sector to the country's long-term recovery from the pandemic. In 2021, it allowed 1,000 students to return to campuses from April, with an estimated economic impact of NZ$49 million. This was a cautious and phased approach, with 300 students allowed to return in April and the remaining 700 students arriving throughout the year to enable managed isolation.
In 2022, New Zealand reopened its borders in five stages, with fully vaccinated international students prioritised for the third stage beginning on 12 April. This allowed 5,000 international students to return for the second semester of the academic year under a special border exemption category. The government's decision was based on the sector's potential for growth and recovery to pre-pandemic levels by 2030.
The absence of international students during the pandemic had a significant impact on New Zealand's economy, particularly in the education sector. The country's strict border controls contributed to low coronavirus case rates but also resulted in financial losses for universities and a decrease in the number of international students choosing New Zealand as a study destination.
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The 14-day managed isolation
International students were allowed to return to New Zealand in April 2022, with 5,000 fully vaccinated international students prioritised for the third stage of the country's five-stage border reopening plan. This was in addition to the 1,000 students who were approved for entry in 2021.
All returning students must have studied in New Zealand in 2019 or 2020 towards their current qualification. They must also follow all COVID-19 health and safety requirements, including a 14-day stay in managed isolation and quarantine facilities.
While the specifics of what students can expect during the 14-day isolation period are not readily available, the New Zealand Government's Managed Isolation and Quarantine website provides full information. This information is translated into several languages to cater to international students.
Universities in New Zealand, such as AUT, are also working to develop support plans for students during their transition back to campus. AUT, for example, offers international students the opportunity to apply and live in one of its new halls of residence with an NZD $1,000 accommodation grant.
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The selection process for students
New Zealand will reopen its borders in five stages throughout 2022, with fully vaccinated international students prioritised for the third stage, beginning on 12 April. 5,000 students will be allowed to enter the country as part of this exemption category.
Stage 1: Eligibility
To be eligible for the border exemption, students must meet the following criteria:
- They must be fully vaccinated.
- They must hold a valid visa to study in New Zealand.
- They must have been nominated by their education provider.
- They must have studied in New Zealand in 2019 or 2020 towards their current qualification.
Stage 2: Application
Eligible students must then apply for the border exemption by submitting an application form to the New Zealand Government. The form will require students to provide personal information, travel details, and proof of their vaccination status and nomination by their education provider.
Stage 3: Review
The New Zealand Government will review the applications and assess whether the applicants meet the eligibility criteria. They will also consider the student's academic record, the impact of their absence on their studies, and the capacity of the managed isolation facilities.
Stage 4: Approval
Students who meet the eligibility criteria and are approved by the New Zealand Government will be granted a border exemption and will be able to return to New Zealand on or after 12 April 2022.
Stage 5: Managed Isolation
Upon arrival in New Zealand, students will be required to follow the COVID-19 health and safety requirements, including a 14-day stay in managed isolation and quarantine facilities. During this time, they may be required to undergo regular health checks and testing.
It is important to note that the selection process may vary slightly depending on the student's country of origin and the specific requirements of their education provider. Students are advised to refer to the official government websites and their respective educational institutions for the most up-to-date and accurate information regarding the selection process.
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Frequently asked questions
New Zealand will reopen its borders in five stages throughout 2022, with fully vaccinated international students prioritised for the third stage beginning 12 April.
International students must be fully vaccinated and have spent at least 30 weeks of full-time study in New Zealand while holding the applicable student visa. They must also register in the Managed Isolation Allocation System (MIAS) and select their intended arrival date in New Zealand.
All travellers entering New Zealand must follow Covid-19 health and safety protocols, including a negative pre-departure test, a declaration of full travel history, a test on arrival, and a 7-day self-isolation period.
Institutions like AUT are working to develop plans to support student well-being and transition back to campus. Additionally, international students can apply for accommodation grants and live in university halls of residence.
