1,000 international students to travel to New Zealand in 2022

A total of 1,000 international students will be able to travel to New Zealand in 2022. The New Zealand government recently announced a further border class exception that would see 400 pilot trainees, 300 students at degree level and above, and 300 students at the sub-degree level travel to New Zealand. Education providers will supply information to prospective students when it becomes available.

New Zealand’s Ministry of Education will work with government agencies and the international education sector, including Universities New Zealand, Te Pūkenga, Aviation New Zealand and the PTE sector, to identify eligible students. Providers will be in touch with nominated students, said the government.  

“You must contact your preferred education provider to signal your interest to study in New Zealand in 2022. At the right time, your education provider will contact you to discuss your eligibility,” the government notes on its website. 

Once students’ visa application has been approved, students will need to apply for a managed isolation and quarantine (MIQ) place. “Applications will not be eligible in December 2021 and January 2022. This is reserved for New Zealand citizens and residents only. An approved visa application does not guarantee a MIQ spot in a timely manner,” it said.

International students who want to travel to New Zealand will need to be fully vaccinated. Source: Mark Mitchell/Pool/AFP

Travel to New Zealand: What to know

International students who want to travel to New Zealand will need to be fully vaccinated.

“As of November 1, 2021, anyone entering New Zealand (17 years and older), who is not a New Zealand citizen, will require a full course of any of the 22 COVID-19 vaccines approved by a government or approval authority and received your last dose at least 14 days prior to arrival in New Zealand,” said the government. This includes those approved by the governments of China and India.

In a LinkedIn post, The University of Auckland director international Brett Berquist said the university will work with the government to determine a process for nominations and will connect with eligible students in the coming weeks. 

Students in this cohort will be able to travel to New Zealand from March through the MIQ system and are required to be fully vaccinated. “This new cohort announcement is one part of a wider government response to reconnect New Zealanders to the world, including the announcement today of a new traffic light framework of risk management following 90% vaccination levels. In Auckland double vaccinations are at 74% and 90% vaccination rates are predicted for early December.”