Indian students in NZ given extra visa time

Indian students in New Zealand have been told they can stay for an extra nine months after their study has finished so they can apply for a work permit and find a job, reports Three News.

Last year, the announcement from the Government that Indian students had extra time to apply for a New Zealand work permit and job after their studies had ceased resulted in a 25 per cent increase in the number of Indian students enrolled in New Zealand educational facilities.

"This period can be used to look for jobs and after getting one, a student can apply for work permit," Paul Vaughan, Trade Commissioner of New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, told The Indian Express.

Many Indian nationals are drawn to New Zealand to study and work because the opportunity of a New Zealand passport means visa-free entry to Australia.

Representatives from New Zealand’s tertiary institutions recently held a series of Education Fairs in India, reports Voxy.co.nz. The six day fair aimed to attract more Indian nationals to move to New Zealand to study, and eventually ease the skills shortage in the country.

The Education Fair was hoped to attract Indian students who want to fast-track the process for obtaining permanent residency. Organisers also hope that the fair made it clear overseas migrants have much better opportunities of gaining employment in New Zealand if they have local qualifications.

Kaye LeGros, Business Development Manager from Whitireia Community Polytechnic told reporters, "We have a number of international students who have come to study and very quickly moved into work in their respective fields of study after graduation."

The New Zealand Visa Bureau is an independent consulting company specialising in helping people emigrate to New Zealand.

Article by Jessica Bird, New Zealand Visa Bureau.