Study visa opens the door to NZ (NZ 학생비자 신청자 급증)

최근 단기 또는 장기로 뉴질랜드에 거주하는 외국인들이 워킹비자를 갱신하는 것에 어려움을 겪어 학생비자로 돌려 거주기간을 확보하고 있기 때문에 학생비자 신청자 수는 크게 증가할 것으로 전망되고 있다.

지난해 워킹비자로 근무를 하던 일부 외국인 노동자들은 경기침체의 영향으로 직장을 잃었는데 이들은 학생비자를 신청해 학업으로 발걸음을 돌리기도 했다.

워킹비자 재발급에 실패한 일부 외국인 직장인들은 유학생 신분으로 돌아가 정규과정 코스를 졸업한 후 영주권 신청의 기회를 꾀하고 있는 것.

한편, 지난해 뉴질랜드에서 대학교를 졸업한 후 graduate job search work permit 을 신청한 졸업자 수는 5,914명으로 2008년보다 무려 16%나 증가했다. 즉, 뉴질랜드에서 정규 대학과정 등을 졸업한 후 일자리를 구해 영주권을 신청하려는 이들이 크게 늘어났다는 것이다.

뉴질랜드 이민성은 유학생이 정규 대학과정을 졸업했다고 영주권이 자동적으로 발급된다는 보장은 없지만 skilled migrant category 규정에 맞는다면 성공할 것이라며, 이민 어드바이저에게 정확한 정보를 얻어야 할 것이라고 전했다.

기사원문 :

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10630967&pnum=0

In part three of a series, Lincoln Tan explains why the popularity of student permits looks set to grow.

Migrants are using student visas as a more certain method of staying in New Zealand - and the number of cases is expected to rise sharply because of a new law.

Many temporary migrants who cannot renew their permits to stay have applied for the student permit to extend their time here.

Last year, the Philippines had the second highest rate of increase in percentage change in the number of students, behind only India.

The sharp rise is believed to be fuelled by out-of-work temporary migrants, rather than new student arrivals, applying for student permits.

Filipino Danny Ninal said the student permit had given him a "second chance" to gain New Zealand residency after losing his work-to-residence permit with his advertising sales job at Fairfax Media in the recession last year.

"Becoming an international student has bought us time, and a second chance at becoming New Zealand residents," said Mr Ninal, who is now studying computing.

From May 4, new legislation will require anyone who gives immigration advice to be licensed or face fines of up to $100,000 and up to seven years in jail - but those who provide immigration advice overseas for student visa and permit applications only are exempt.

Overseas advisers told the Herald they intended to get around the law by directing clients to use the student permit as their pathway to New Zealand.

The agents did not want to be identified because they think it could affect their licensing, should they decide to apply for one at a later date.

"New Zealand is not a top migration destination choice and we don't specifically provide advice solely on New Zealand, so it is not worth it to pay thousands of dollars every year for the licence at the moment," said one South Korea-based adviser.

"We will be advising anyone who wants to migrate to New Zealand to apply for a student permit instead."

International students can gain points for their qualifications after graduating from selected courses and apply for permanent residence as skilled migrants.

Last year, 5914 students in New Zealand were issued a graduate job search work permit - 16 per cent up on 2008.

Besides the issue of licensing, a China-based agent says the immigration business policies introduced last year are "unworkable", and will push "the student permit way" for his clients.

"The entrepreneur policy requires an applicant to invest $500,000 and employ three full-time staff, which means the business turnover needs to be at least $300,000 to pay staff, running costs and earn an income for the new entrepreneur migrant," he said.

"This is impossible for a small business owner in New Zealand. The student permit is a cheaper and surer way to become a resident."

But Immigration New Zealand says international students would not get an automatic right to residency even after graduating from a New Zealand school.

"International students who have studied the right courses will find that they improve their employability and chances of success under the skilled migrant category," said Steve Cantlon, the agency's service delivery group manager.

"But to obtain permanent residence on the basis of qualifications and a skilled job offer, they need to apply separately for residence under the category."

The Immigration Advisers Authority, which administers the Immigration Advisers Act, says it does not determine how immigration advisers run their business.

By Lincoln Tan