Janice Lozano
New Zealand's response to the COVID-19 pandemic included closing its borders to international travellers. This had a significant impact on the country's universities and international students, who brought in around $5 billion per year. In 2022, the New Zealand government announced a 5-step plan to reopen its borders, with the final step taking place on 31 July 2022, when the country's borders fully reopened to international travellers, including students and tourists.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Border opening date | 31 July 2022 |
| Border opening stages | 5 |
| Stage for international students | 3 |
| Number of students allowed in stage 3 | 5,000 |
| Semester for stage 3 | Second semester of the academic year |
| Date of stage 3 | 12 April 2022 |
| Visa processing systems for international students | Operational by October 2022 |
| Year international students should plan for | 2023 |
| Date of announcement of border reopening | 11 May |
| Original date of border reopening | 31 October 2022 |
| Date of announcement of 5-step plan | 3 February 2022 |
| Date visa processing resumed | 2 May 2022 |
| Number of visa-waiver countries | 60 |
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What You'll Learn
New Zealand's five-stage border reopening plan
New Zealand implemented a five-stage reopening plan to welcome international students back into the country. The plan was announced by Prime Minister Ardern on 3 February, with the first stage taking effect on 27 February. The plan aimed to gradually reopen borders and reconnect New Zealand with the world while managing the risks associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Here is a breakdown of the five stages:
Stage 1: 27 February
Fully vaccinated New Zealanders returning from Australia were allowed to enter without undergoing quarantine or self-isolation.
Stage 2: 4 March (originally planned for 13 March)
The borders opened for fully vaccinated New Zealand citizens arriving from countries other than Australia. Additionally, some fully vaccinated skilled workers and backpackers were also permitted to enter without the need for quarantine.
Stage 3: 12 April
This stage prioritized the entry of 5,000 fully vaccinated international students, who were allowed to return for the second semester of the academic year. This stage also included offshore temporary visa holders who still met the visa requirements and considered class exemptions for critical workers.
Stage 4: July
From July onwards, New Zealand welcomed travellers from Australia and visa-waiver countries. The introduction of the new Accredited Employer Work Visa was implemented, and the skilled worker exemptions were phased out. Additionally, students from Visa Waiver countries such as Japan and South Korea were allowed to enter for short visits of up to three months.
Stage 5: October
In the final stage, the border fully reopened to the rest of the world, including all visa categories. Vaccinated travellers could enter the country and undergo self-isolation and testing upon arrival, while unvaccinated travellers were required to go into managed isolation and quarantine (MIQ) facilities.
It is important to note that the dates and specifics of each stage may have been subject to change due to the evolving nature of the pandemic and the country's response to new variants, such as Omicron. The New Zealand government aimed to balance the reconnection with the world and the protection of its citizens' health and safety.
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International students' return in April 2022
New Zealand's border reopening for international students has been a phased process, with the country prioritising fully vaccinated international students in the third stage of its plan, beginning on 12 April 2022. This stage allowed 5,000 fully vaccinated international students to return for the second semester of the academic year under a special border exemption category. This was in addition to the 1,000 students who were approved for entry in 2021.
The April reopening was part of New Zealand's five-stage plan to manage the Covid-19 pandemic and reconnect with the world. The third stage of this plan prioritised fully vaccinated international students, with the border also open to current temporary work and student visa holders who could meet their visa requirements.
Education New Zealand (ENZ) emphasised that students with questions about the border class exemption should contact their agent or preferred education provider. ENZ Chief Executive Chris Whelan also highlighted the opportunity for students from Visa Waiver countries, such as Japan and South Korea, to enter New Zealand from July 2022 for short visits of up to three months.
While the April reopening was a positive step, most international students needed to plan for 2023 as visa services for students would not be fully operational again until October 2022. This meant that the majority of international students would not return to New Zealand campuses until 2023, with Australia and other leading destinations having already accepted students for months by that time.
New Zealand's universities had many international students studying online during the pandemic, and these students were eager to transition to on-campus study. The full resumption of visa processing was good news for the education sector, which had lost significant revenue due to the drop in international students during the pandemic.
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Visa processing for international students
New Zealand's border reopening has been a phased process, with the country now fully open to international travellers, including students. The final step in New Zealand's plan to reconnect with the world came with the reopening of the maritime border and the resumption of student and visitor visa applications.
International students were included in the third stage of the country's five-stage reopening plan, which began on 12 April 2022. 5,000 fully vaccinated international students were allowed to enter the country under a special border exemption category for the second semester of the academic year. This was in addition to the 1,000 students approved for entry in 2021.
From 31 July 2022, international students could apply for a new student visa to study in New Zealand. The resumption of visa processing is great news for New Zealand's educational institutions, which have suffered financially during the pandemic.
Students from Visa Waiver countries, such as Japan and South Korea, have been able to enter New Zealand from July for short visits of up to three months. Students who are already in New Zealand can continue with their existing study plans and enrol online while applying for their visas.
The University of Auckland International College encourages students intending to join their September intake to prepare all the necessary documents to submit their visa application on 1 August when the system opens.
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Border reopening impact on the education sector
New Zealand's education sector has been significantly impacted by the reopening of its borders to international travellers, including students. The country's universities and schools have welcomed the move, with the sector previously expressing concerns about visa processing causing uncertainty for returning students. The full resumption of visa processing is great news for educational institutions, which have lost millions in international student revenue since the pandemic began.
The University of Otago, for example, lost more than $40 million during this period. International students brought in around $5 billion per year before the pandemic, making it the country's fourth-largest export earner. However, that figure dropped significantly in 2021.
The reopening of borders is expected to bring about a gradual increase in international student numbers. New Zealand universities had many international students studying online during the pandemic, and these students are eager to transition to on-campus study. The country's competitive position in attracting international students has been impacted by Australia's quick pivot towards welcoming back international students and offering them extended work hours and rights.
Despite the challenges ahead, the education sector is optimistic about the future. Grant McPherson, Chief Executive of Education New Zealand, emphasised that the work done during the pandemic to support students, build relationships, and promote the New Zealand brand means they are now able to focus on rebuilding the international education sector.
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International students' contribution to the economy
New Zealand started gradually reopening its borders to international students in April 2022, with a full reopening taking effect on 31 July 2022. However, most international students needed to plan for 2023 as the visa processing systems for their applications would only be fully operational by October 2022.
International students make a significant contribution to the New Zealand economy, and their arrival is expected to aid the country's recovery from pandemic-related losses. In 2019, international student fees contributed NZ$1.21 billion to the economy, with the total economic contribution of international education reaching NZ$5.23 billion. This expenditure supported nearly 50,000 jobs in various sectors, including health, social services, business, engineering, and trades.
The number of international students in New Zealand has been steadily increasing since the borders reopened. In March 2023, there were approximately 34,000 international students in the country, a 98% increase since the borders reopened. This number climbed to 34,230 by August 2023, with the three main source countries being China, India, and Japan.
The New Zealand government has also made efforts to attract more international students by relaxing work visa rules for partners of students enrolled in certain higher education programs. This change in immigration policy is expected to further enhance the economic contribution of international students to the country.
The recovery of international student numbers is projected to help New Zealand bounce back from its pandemic-related losses by 2030. The economic contribution of international students extends beyond their fees and includes their expenditure on accommodation, transportation, food, and other goods and services during their stay in New Zealand.
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Frequently asked questions
New Zealand reopened its borders to international travellers, including students, at midnight on 31 July 2022.
International students were required to provide proof of vaccination and complete a New Zealand Traveller Declaration.
Visa services for international students resumed in April 2022, with the full resumption of visa processing taking place in May 2022.
Initially, 5,000 international students were allowed to enter New Zealand as part of a border exemption category.
The border reopening was expected to positively impact the international student sector, which had seen a significant drop in revenue during the pandemic.
