Covid-19 Update: Masters students to return to New Zealand

New Zealand is leading the world in the struggle to contain and overcome the effects of the Coronavirus pandemic.

As part of the stringent precautions put in place, the New Zealand borders have been strictly restricted over the last several weeks. Certain categories of people including essential workers and families of citizens are gradually being allowed to enter the borders.

However, hundreds of international students studying advanced courses in the country’s eight major universities have had to remain outside the country.

Latest development

The latest decision by the New Zealand government is to create a new category of exception to the border closure, for international students studying in Masters and PhD programs. In other words, these international students will be allowed to re-enter the country to continue their studies.

Minister for Education Chris Hipkins said, “The exception today is a balanced decision that recognises the vital role international education will play in the recovery and rebuild of New Zealand and the need to continue the fight against the pandemic.  It will enable us to welcome back a good portion of those PhD and Masters students who are caught off-shore, and who need to be in New Zealand to complete their work.”

“International PhDs and other postgraduate students make a significant contribution to our research and innovation systems and boost the global reputations and competitiveness of our institutions,” he added, explaining the significance of this move by the government.

Who does this exception apply to?

This exception applies to those students who have obtained their student visas for the year 2020, and are enrolled in Masters or PhD programs in one of the eight public universities in New Zealand.

For now, only 250 students will be allowed to enter the country, with a small number expected to return starting November. The remaining majority should be allowed to enter in the new year 2021. Students who need to be in the country or university for practical research work and field study, will be prioritised.

The New Zealand Ministry of Education is making arrangements to contact the universities in order to identify and select those students who will be allowed to return to the country.

Students studying in schools and Private Training Establishments are not included in this group. The reopening of the borders remains very gradual in order to prevent the country’s quarantine facilities and other health infrastructure from becoming overwhelmed by the influx of international travellers.

However, Hipkins also clarified that this exception is only the first step toward reopening educational institutions in New Zealand. In time to come, more categories of exception will be taken into consideration and more students will be able to return to the country for their studies.

If you are a Masters or PhD student in New Zealand, and are wondering what this means for you, you are advised to contact your university as soon as possible.