Global General

NZ to have tougher checks on overseas students

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-06-02 15:46

WELLINGTON - New Zealand Immigration Minister Jonathan Coleman said he is planning to make it harder for some international students to study in this country, the Radio New Zealand reported Thursday.

Coleman announced changes to the immigration policy which is aimed at weeding out those who are not in New Zealand genuinely for further education, the report said.

The changes include tougher checks on whether students are capable of successfully completing their course and whether they have enough money to live on while they study.

Coleman said some students see a student visa as a shortcut to get access to New Zealand, and that has to stop.

New Zealand earns 2.3 billion NZ dollars ($1.9 billion) a year from 90,000 overseas students, and the industry supports 32,000 jobs.

The changes will come into effect on July 25.