New Zealand Offering Post-study Work Visa for International Students

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International students in New Zealand who were supposed to get a post-study work visa during the COVID pandemic have been now offered a visa for 1year under a new immigration policy. Nearby 1,800 international graduates from New Zealand universities are eligible for this visa. The visa will be valid for those who are not already eligible in New Zealand on another visa.

Michael Wood, the immigration minister declared in a press conference, “International students have the right to job access. Therefore, the university offering a 12-months open work visa for almost 1,800 students who missed out on their chance because of border closure in 2020 and 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.”

“It is a positive move however, we would have to assure our graduates titled with the full three years of post-study work rights,” said the communication manager of New Zealand Universities. It is a great opportunity for graduates in medicine, engineering, and other professionals. After two or three years, graduates can apply for residency. Wood vowed in an interview that the Immigration Authority of New Zealand wants to facilitate eligible students from various countries to go to New Zealand for higher education, and gave assurance to work closely with Education New Zealand.

In the immigration revamp, 13 professions have been acknowledged to the hit list and the straight pathway to residence has been encouraged to include all doctors and nurses. New Zealand also welcomes teachers with the opportunity to go onto work to residence pathway. New Zealand’s education system was praised and valued internationally. All universities are ranked superior in the QS World rankings.

Education Minister Chris Hipkins has spoken about value over volume previously. He said, “It is being at the core of New Zealand’s international education strategy.” Wood propounds, “Despite of ongoing labor shortage, the value brought by international students is surely considered by the government of New Zealand although, “the emphasis will be on quality instead of quantity.”