Indian Students Face Alarming New Zealand Student Visa Rejections

Key Points

1. The rejection rates for Indian students have increased from 28% in 2022 to 40% in 2023.

2. Concerns were raised by Universities New England, a forum that represents all eight tertiary institutions in the country, over the significant number of unallocated visas at the beginning of the semester, causing uncertainty for students.

3. In comparison, Chinese students faced only a 2% rejection rate for New Zealand student visas.

4. Reasons cited for high rejection rates include insufficient proof of funds and genuine study intentions.

The recent developments in the New Zealand student visa news have left Indian students in disbelief. Universities New England, a forum that represents all eight tertiary institutions in the country, has raised concerns over the government’s high rejection rates toward Indian students. 

The rejection rates have raised concerns amongst Indians, especially because the rates have actively increased since 2022. The rejection rate for student visas stood at 28% in 2022. However, New Zealand student visa rejection rates saw a sharp spike to 40% in 2023 according to Immigration New Zealand. 

According to an RNZ report, Chris Whelan, chief executive at Universities New England, expressed concerns over the rejection rates. Whelan highlighted that nearly 10% of visas were unallocated at the beginning of the semester, with just an additional 2% being processed. Whelan also added that 18% of total student visas were not confirmed, leading to a time of uncertainty for those living in the Indian subcontinent. 

“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” - Whelan

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, international education accounted for the fifth-largest export market in NZ

From January 2024 to April 2024, 5018 New Zealand student visas were processed, with 2010 rejections. In stark contrast, Chinese international students faced a rejection rate of only 2%, with 206 rejections out of 8012 applications.

This New Zealand student visa news comes as a surprise to many. Considering the efforts NZ has made in increasing its collaboration with Indian institutions, the high New Zealand study visa rejection rates pale in comparison. In July 2023, a third university was close to signing a deal with Mumbai Stock Exchange Institute. In addition, Education New Zealand has joined hands with the High Commission of India to highlight India as a “country of honor” at the New Zealand International Education Conference, NZEIC KI TUA 2024.

“The recognition of India as the country of honor acknowledges this strong relationship and provides a platform for further partnership and development of bilateral relationships.” a spokesperson for Education New England told RNZ.

The director of Student Visa at Immigration New Zealand, Celia Coombes, expressed various reasons behind the high New Zealand student visa rejection rates. These reasons include insufficient proof of funds and genuine study intentions. Coombes told the media that 90 full-time workers functioned behind the processing of all New Zealand study visas, averaging 31 working days.

TL;DR

Indian students are dismayed by the soaring rejection rates of New Zealand student visas, rising from 28% in 2022 to 40% in 2023. Concerns arise over unallocated visas at the semester start, causing uncertainty. Despite efforts to strengthen ties with India, rejection rates remain high, contrasting sharply with those for Chinese students. Reasons include insufficient funds and study intentions despite Immigration New Zealand's significant workforce.