New Zealand universities are actively addressing the high student visa rejection rate for Indian applicants in 2024.
Universities New Zealand, representing all eight tertiary institutions, has raised concerns with the government.
While 28% of all study visa applications from India to New Zealand were rejected in 2022, this figure rose to 40% in 2023, according to Immigration New Zealand.
According to a RNZ report, Chris Whelan, chief executive of Universities New Zealand, highlighted the issue, noting that nearly 10 percent of visas were unallocated at the start of semester one, with another 2 percent still being processed.
"At the start of semester one this year, nearly 10 percent of visas to study at a New Zealand university were not yet allocated to an Immigration NZ official for processing, and another 2 percent were still being processed," Whelan said.
He added that 18 percent of visas overall were not confirmed at the start of the term, leading to uncertainty and delays for students.
Whelan emphasized the impact of these delays, stating, "This meant uncertainty for students, and far too many had their studies impacted by late starts and, once they were able to start, having to deal with the double pressure of familiarizing themselves with a new country while catching up on missed studies."
He stressed that such uncertainties are unfair and harmful to New Zealand's reputation as a premier study destination.
Before the pandemic, international education was New Zealand's fifth-largest export market.
"We need to do better for these students if we want this country to enjoy the benefits of international education," Whelan said.
High Rejection Rates
Immigration New Zealand statistics reveal a 40 percent rejection rate for Indian student visa applications in the first four months of 2024, down from 49 percent earlier in the year.
From January to April, 5018 applications were processed, with 2010 rejections.
In contrast, Chinese students had a rejection rate of just 2 percent, with 206 rejections out of 8012 applications.
Efforts to Attract Indian Students
New Zealand universities are increasing collaboration with Indian entities to attract more students.
In July 2023, a third university was close to signing an agreement with Mumbai's Bombay Stock Exchange Institute. Education New Zealand has partnered with the High Commission of India to highlight India as the "country of honour" at the New Zealand International Education Conference, NZEIC KI TUA 2024.
"The recognition of India as the country of honour acknowledges this strong relationship and provides a platform for further partnership and development of bilateral relationships," a spokesperson for Education New Zealand tod RNZ.
Visa Processing Challenges
Celia Coombes, director of Student Visa at Immigration New Zealand, cited various reasons for visa rejections, including insufficient proof of funds or genuine study intentions.
"We have recently implemented initiatives to help facilitate student visas as quickly as possible, while protecting the integrity of the immigration system," Coombes said. She noted that 90 full-time workers were handling student visa applications, with processing times averaging 31 working days, or approximately six weeks.
Source: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/nri/study/new-zealands-high-rejection-rates-for-student-visas-from-india-raise-alarm/articleshow/110633832.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst
