International students provide boost to NZ region

A new report has revealed that international students were worth around NZ$10.7 million to South Canterbury’s economy alone last year.

New Zealand student visaFigures suggest that the New Zealand region hosted 153 international full-time students in 2013, with their tuition fees alone totalling NZ$1.8 million. Meanwhile, their estimated living expenses were valued at NZ$2.7million and friends and families of students spent a further NZ$127,000 while visiting them.

The report comes on the day that a further 120 international students were welcomed to the region, with more to come next year.

Official government statistics show that there were more than 91,000 international fee paying students in New Zealand by the end of 2012. China (24,412) was the biggest source country for overseas students, followed by India (11,349) and South Korea (9,900).

To qualify for a New Zealand student visa, applicants must meet a number or requirements, including receiving an offer of place from a New Zealand education provider in a programme of study that is approved by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA). Applicants will also be expected to be able to prove that they can meet living costs expected for their stay in the country and prove that they intend to leave the country upon the expiry of the programme.