Immigrants face school headache

Lourdes Sarmiento is reapplying for a work permit to try to keep Azil, 14, and Alexis, 6, at school. Photo / Dean Purcell

Filipino accountant Lourdes Sarmiento says she is still at a loss over what to do about her children's education.

Since speaking to the Herald last week, Ms Sarmiento - who has extended her stay in New Zealand by applying for a visitor permit - says she is reapplying for a work permit, in a last-ditch effort to get her two sons back to school.

Her sons, 6 and 14, went to Milford Primary and Rosmini College in North Shore City last year, but will be unable to start the new school year because she cannot afford the international student fees.

Immigration said although children of overstayers could apply for a limited-purpose permit to attend school in New Zealand, those of parents with expired work-to-residence permits could not.

These children are eligible for domestic student status only if a parent's work-to-residence permit remained valid.

Migrant Action Trust spokeswoman Agnes Granada says hundreds of children with parents whose work-to-residence applications have been declined will not start school when the term begins next week.

"Many migrants move to New Zealand dreaming of a better life and better education for their children, but hundreds will have problems getting back to school next week," Ms Granada said.

Immigration New Zealand said it estimated about 200 children came as dependants of work-to-residence permit holders in 2008-09.

But it said there could be more, because some children might have entered through other immigration policies, such as on a visitor permit.

Ms Granada said the issuing of 2261 work-to-residence visas and permits when unemployment was up to 6.5 per cent would see more out-of-school children in the future.

"Immigration New Zealand should allow these work-to-residence visa holders to delay their travel plans here, knowing that there are no jobs for them."

Immigration New Zealand said children whose parents' work-to-residence permits had expired were subject to international student fees unless they had been granted a limited-purpose permit to remain at school while their immigration status was being determined.

"It is a personal choice if applicants decide to bring their children with them," the agency said.

"Remaining unlawfully in New Zealand jeopardises future immigration opportunities, and can lead to removal action being taken."

It said a parent whose work-to-residence permit had expired should contact his or her nearest Immigration New Zealand office to discuss his or her family's immigration status.