Pathway Student Visa pilot launched for consecutive study programmes

Policy effect

On December 7, 2015, New Zealand started an 18-month Pathway Student Visa pilot. It allowed eligible international students to undertake up to three consecutive programmes of study with selected education providers on a single visa valid for up to five years. A pathway could be offered by one provider or a group of providers. This record describes the pilot’s launch, not its later extensions or permanent operation.

Conditions and exceptions

Validated condition or limit: It allowed eligible international students to undertake up to three consecutive programmes of study with selected education providers on a single visa valid for up to five years.

Official source excerpt

Quoted verbatim from the official source below. Ellipses indicate omitted text.

… rship based on a declaration made by both parties. WD1.10 Qualification requirements Instructions have been amended to ensure students on a study to work pathway are not disadvantaged by changes made by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority to level 4 programmes of study. WH1.10.1 Requirements for an ATR A requirement has been added that recognised seasonal employers ensure migrant workers have access to legal and reputable remittance services as part of their pastoral care. 2 U14 Pathway student visas pilot An 18 month pathway student visa pilot has been implemented that will enable intern … ational students to undertake a pathway of up to three consecutive programmes of study on a single visa. U15 Multiple short-term English language programmes of study Applicants may be granted a student visa to undertake multiple short–term English language programmes of study for a maximum period of six months. Appendix 9 - Foreign Charter Vessels - Crew Employment Agreements To provide for the direct contact of crew by the Labour Inspectorate, the Foreign Charter Vessel Crew employment agreement must include a crew member’s contact details. Changes to residence and temporary entry instruction … y offered by tertiary providers other than universities, full-time work rights may not be granted. Note: An academic year means a programme of study of a minimum of 120 credits during a period of at least eight months (minimum of two semesters) U13.15.15 Work conditions for masters by research or doctoral students A student visa may be granted with conditions to allow the holder unlimited work rights if: a. the student is undertaking a Masters by Research or Doctoral degree, and 105 b. the qualification is awarded by a New Zealand tertiary institution. 106 U14 Pathway student visas pilot a. Fo … r the purposes of these instructions, a pathway is defined as a progression of up to three consecutive programmes of study, offered by qualifying education providers, either within their institution or in conjunction with other qualifying education providers. b. Pathway study can be undertaken on a single student visa. c. A pathway student visa cannot be granted after 7 June 2017, and any application for a pathway student visa made after this date must be declined. 107 U14.5 Requirements to be granted a pathway student visa To be granted a pathway student visa, an applicant must: a. be offered … an eligible study pathway from a qualifying provider (U14.20); b. meet the general requirements to be granted a student visa as set out at U3.1; c. meet the additional evidential requirements for pathway student visa set out at U14.5.1; d. make an application for a student visa before 7 June 2015. U14.5.1 Evidence of meeting requirements a. In addition to meeting the general requirements to be granted a student visa as set out at U3.1, when applying for a pathway student visa an applicant must provide: i. A joint covering letter from pathway education providers setting out the pathway program … 30 November 2015 IMMIGRATION NEW ZEALAND INSTRUCTIONS: Amendment Circular No. 2015/10 To: All Manual Holders AMENDMENTS TO THE IMMIGRATION NEW ZEALAND OPERATIONAL MANUAL Introduction This circular outlines changes to immigration instructions. A copy of the amended instructions is attached. All immigration officers dealing with immigration applications should read the amendments in Appendix 1 and operate in accordance with the amended instructions on and after 7 December 2015. All immigration officers dealing with immigration applications should read the amendments in Appendix 2 and operate in …

Review method

Two separate automated exact-claim source reviews

Other New Zealand changes operative in 2015

• 2015-03-27Standardized Definitions for Essential Skills Labour Market Test and Skill Level 5 Rule
• 2015-05-08Immigration Amendment Act (No. 2)
• 2015-08-06A designated person must not enter New Zealand or transit through New Zealand.
• 2015-11-01Entrepreneur Work Visa regional bonus increased from 20 to 40 points
• 2015-11-01Skilled Migrant Category Bonus Points Increase for Regional Employment Outside Auckland
• 2015-11-03Character exception for qualifying Filipino dairy workers with earlier false visa evidence
• 2015-12-07Joint declaration permitted as partnership evidence for a partner included in a visitor visa application
• 2015-12-07Recognised Seasonal Employers required to provide access to lawful remittance services
• 2015-12-07Refugee Family Support Category sponsorship extended to qualifying Afghan interpreters and accompanying family
• 2015-12-07Student visa provision for multiple short-term English language programmes
• 2015-12-20Korea Working Holiday Scheme annual places increased from 1,800 to 3,000
• 2015-12-20Korea Working Holiday Scheme three-month limit with one employer removed
• 2015-12-20Republic of Korea added to the Primary Sector Trainees route with 50 places
• 2015-12-20Special work route introduced for qualifying Korean citizens in specified occupations