New Zealand amends student visa terms

Hamilton: The immigration department of New Zealand has announced
major changes to the conditions for a student visa that would enable
the "best students" to stay on and contribute to the country' skilled
workforce and benefit the economy.

The changes to the "Study to Work" visa - that aims to attract
students and help them get work and residence - would come into effect
from July 25.

New Zealand's international student population has grown rapidly in
recent years. India has overtaken Japan to become New Zealand's third
largest source of international students.

The number of Indian students has increased by almost 350 percent
since 2006. Around 11,600 Indian students enrolled in New Zealand in
2010.

After changes, students would need to study in the country for at
least two years in order to get the "Study to Work" visa.

Immigration Minister Jonathan Coleman said it was important to ensure
that students genuinely come to New Zealand to study.

It was also important to enable the best students to stay on and
contribute to New Zealand's economy.

"The majority of people are here to legitimately study, but some just
see a student visa as a short cut to gaining access to New Zealand,"
Coleman said.

"Some education providers have been enrolling students who are not
capable of successfully completing their courses, have poor
attendance, and who are recording poor learning outcomes," he said.
IANS