New Zealand Borders to Reopen for International Students from April 13, 2022

In an announcement from the Immigration and COVID-19 Response Departments of New Zealand, the borders are set to open in a 5-step process for international student visa holders starting from April 13, 2022. This announcement has come amidst uncertainty prevailing among international students studying in New Zealand who were barred from entering New Zealand for the past 2 years because of COVID-19 restrictions. 

5-Step Plan of Action for Opening New Zealand Borders

This is the proposed POA since 94% of the population of New Zealand has been fully vaccinated. The following table throws light on the course of action which is designated in 5 steps for opening the borders of New Zealand:

Steps	Proposed Dates & Time	New Zealand Border Opening 2022 Details
Step 1	From 11.59 p.m. -  27 February 2022	The border opens for New Zealanders and eligible travelers from Australia.
Step 2	From 11:59 p.m. - 13 March 2022	Open for skilled workers who would earn 1.5 times the median wage - proposed by New Zealand Govt. Also opens for Working Holiday Scheme visa holders.
Step 3	From 11:59 pm - 12 April 2022	The border opens for 5000 international students and also for those holding temporary visas.
Step 4	July 2022 (Date TBA)	The border opens for Australians, and Accredited Employer Work Visa holders as well.
Step 5	October 2022 (Date TBA)	New Zealand borders fully reopen for tourists and all visa category holders also.

Steps 1 to 3: Major focus is on bringing back its citizens who would still have to follow the isolation and quarantine measures upon their arrival in New Zealand and this does not include MIQ (managed isolation and quarantine). But there will be 3 rapid antigen tests which will be scheduled for day 1, day 5, or 6, and 1 test is kept for backup purposes only.

Steps 4 & 5: These steps are for squaring up its labor shortage as witnessed between 2020-2022 and recovering the loss for New Zealand’s economy. New Zealand has a number of vacancies in critical skill sectors like - tourism, health, child care, adult care, agriculture, etc. thus, with students and skilled workers returning, some loss can be recompensed for. 

Read: How to get a work permit in New Zealand?

*Note: Only those international students who are fully vaccinated would be allowed to enter New Zealand with valid proof. While those who are still unvaccinated, MIQ would be applicable for arrivals in New Zealand.

Temporary Visa Applications in New Zealand

For now, temporary visa applications in New Zealand stand suspended but some offshore temporary entry class visas can still be applied for. These are as follows:

1. Relationship-based visas for New Zealand citizens and residents. Some of them include:

• Culturally Arranged Marriage Visitor Visa
• Partner of a New Zealander Visitor Visa
• Partner of a New Zealander Work Visa
• Partner of a New Zealander Resident Visa
• Child of a New Zealander Visitor Visa
• Dependent Child Student Visa
• Dependent Child Resident Visa
• Adoption Visitor Visa
• Adoption Pre-citizenship Visitor Visa

2. Visa applications are made by those who are invited to apply because they have a critical purpose for being in New Zealand. Be it for work or consultation, etc.

3. Visas for diplomats, consular and official staff, and their dependants who come along.

4. Antarctic Traveller Visitor visa and Antarctic Work visa

5. Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) - limited visas in New Zealand.

Keeping in view of the current situation amid COVID-19, visa offices are functional in New Zealand but the offices outside New Zealand are still non-functional. Hence, the visa processing time is longer than usual.

Check: Student’s Spouse Visa in New Zealand

Economic Reasons Behind Reopening Borders

Since the pandemic and its consequent closing down of partial functioning of economic activities, New Zealand unlike other countries has also faced challenges to cope with its economic growth over the years. There has been a dearth of skilled workforce and to compensate for the same by proposing to give 1.5 times of remuneration to its skilled workforce if not 50%. Also read: SOP for New Zealand Student Visa 

International student visa holders who are eligible for part time work options in New Zealand are awaited to return to New Zealand so that some gaps could be made up for. Australia has already proposed to allow its international student visa holders to work for more than 30 hours per fortnight, but such announcements from the New Zealand Government are still awaited.

Related Reads:

Reasons for New Zealand Student Visa Rejection	Why Study in New Zealand?
Top Universities in New Zealand	Education System in New Zealand