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Resident visa scheme creates unfair anomalies for international students

Tuesday, 14 December 2021

Immigration Minister Kris Faafoi answers questions after new residency visa details accidentally pop up on official website.

OPINION: It is no surprise that the Government’s website for the new 2021 Resident Visa crashed when it finally opened for applications on December 1, given most people holding work-related visas are eligible and have been trying for years to get residency. They are hopeful that, finally, they will succeed and can plan a life for themselves in New Zealand.

Just like the website crashing, there are some anomalies that create unintended consequences. The situation many international students find themselves in is one of them.

Before the pandemic, New Zealand had been seen as an attractive proposition for international students and many schools and educational institutions, as well as the government, viewed international students as a way of creating diversity, increasing global understanding, and stimulating economic activity. Income received from international students was significant.

While the border closures have stemmed the flow of new international students, there are many that have remained in the country, and wish to do so long term.

**READ MORE:

* Health workers forced to leave as they don't qualify for fast-tracked residency visa

* Migrant children are repeating school to stay in New Zealand

* Is it time for a new amnesty for overstayers?

Immigration minister Kris Faafoi says the Government will not consider widening the eligibility criteria for the 2021 one-off residency visa.
Immigration minister Kris Faafoi says the Government will not consider widening the eligibility criteria for the 2021 one-off residency visa.

* Priority visas for 450 family of high income workers

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It’s clear in consultation with international student leaders and other educational institutions that the Government’s new one-off resident visa pathway has let some members of this group down.

The eligibility for the new visa has particularly punished those international students who were on post-study work visas and who decided to return to study while on or at the expiry of their post-study work visa. They could have extended this visa, but instead chose to invest in furthering their education. By doing this, and being on a student visa on the arbitrary date of September 29, they are excluded from the opportunity to apply for the special resident visa. Remember these students were on post-study work visas and have been paying taxes and contributing to the New Zealand economy.

Brijesh Sethi: “The eligibility for the new visa has particularly punished those international students that were on post-study work visas and who decided to return to study ...”
Brijesh Sethi: “The eligibility for the new visa has particularly punished those international students that were on post-study work visas and who decided to return to study ...”

Many in this group had been waiting for years in the hope of gaining residency to make New Zealand their home. While we know Immigration Minister Kris Faafoi is aware of the sector’s concerns, he has indicated he has no plans to make any changes.

In fact, the frustrations and challenges of the uncertain position many have found themselves in is disturbing. A former international student who had been waiting nearly two years for residency reportedly took their own life in September. They were reportedly worried that seeking mental health support would impact on their ability to gain residency and, if they left New Zealand, they were unsure if they would be able to return.

It is a difficult situation. These former students tick all the boxes in terms of time spent in New Zealand, or income earned, or they are working in sectors with skill shortages.

They could – and should – be considered the highly skilled migrant workers New Zealand wants to attract. And they are already here!

At the New Zealand Skills and Education College, we have had about one-third of international students withdraw from their planned study in an effort to meet the new one-off resident visa. We are not alone.

We know many students are lobbying Faafoi to reconsider the situation and make this group of student visa holders eligible for the new resident visa.

As a sector we call on the minister and the Government to be kind, to recognise the valuable contribution and skills these students bring to our economy, and to include current student visa holders who have previously been on post-study work visas as eligible for the new one-off resident visa.

Give them some certainty, so they can also plan a future here and make New Zealand their home.

Brijesh Sethi is the founder and managing director of New Zealand Skills and Education Group, which owns two NZQA-accredited private training establishments (PTEs) in Auckland and Waikato.

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