Coleman: No need to limit student entry

Jonathan Coleman. Photo / Dean Purcell

New Zealand has no plans to follow Britain in limiting the number of student visas, because the Government has taken action to close potential policy loopholes to stop people abusing the permit, says Immigration Minister Jonathan Coleman.

"There are no plans to limit student permits," he said. "The focus is on getting quality students for quality courses."

Britain said last month that it would cut the number of visas to foreign students to try to stop people breaking the rules by working illegally.

The Weekend Herald reported that some international students were working as prostitutes in New Zealand.

Auckland City Central police area commander Andrew Coster said police were aware of such breaches of temporary permits, but they seemed isolated.

He said the district was working with the Ministry of Education and Immigration New Zealand to promote good outcomes for students who come to the country.

Immigration New Zealand said 134 student permits were revoked last year for students who failed to meet conditions and policy, but would not provide details about the breaches.

"Immigration's role is a fine balancing act, providing a legitimate stream of overseas students to support the export education industry and balance that against the risk of system abuse," says Dr Coleman.

He said that last year, Immigration and the Ministry of Education learned that students changing courses with ease were becoming an issue.

A provision in the Education Act 1989 allowed students to obtain a refund of most of their tuition fees if they withdrew within seven days of their course start date, and this was affecting the integrity of the immigration system and reputation of the education sector.

The reasons for the change must now be considered when a new permit application is made, he said.

Full-time students can apply to work for up to 20 hours a week during the year, and full time during Christmas and New Year if their courses are for at least 12 months.