53969 (2024). Francisco Hernandez to the Minister of Immigration

53969 (2024). Francisco Hernandez to the Minister of Immigration: Did the Minister seek any advice on the causes of visa delays for international students after 1 News reported that 'Visa delays cost cash strapped Te Pūkenga tens of millions of dollars', and if not, why not?

Hon Erica Stanford: Ahead of the 2023/2024 student visa summer processing peak, Immigration New Zealand encouraged students to make sure they apply for their visa three or four months ahead of intended travel, and to allow for at least two months of processing. However, INZ saw most student visa applications submitted later than this. I am advised that of applications for students to study at Te Pūkenga, around 23% applied for their visa 12 weeks or more ahead of travel. Approximately 37% of the applications were submitted 6 weeks or less ahead of intended travel, and the remainder of the applications were submitted between 0 and 11 weeks ahead of travel. Additionally, some education providers were issuing Offers of Place to study very close to when the course commenced, which did not give students sufficient time for visa application processing. Unfortunately, some students missed their semester intake and had to defer their study. As at 30 August 2024, there is no backlog of applications for student visas. Over the last four weeks, 85 per cent percent of student visa applications have been processed within six weeks.