This report uses multiple information sources to describe the characteristics of international students in New Zealand, the motivations of former international students who have successfully transitioned to work and residence, and the early settlement experiences of former international students in New Zealand.
By understanding some of the factors that contribute to the successful retention and settlement of former international students in New Zealand, we can develop policies and services to better support this segment of the migrant population.
Key Results
• Around 70,000 international students are granted permits to study in New Zealand each year and 75 percent are from Asia (predominantly, China, South Korea, and India). Internationally, Asian students comprise about half (47 percent) of all foreign students in OECD countries.
• Over time, around 31 percent of fee-paying international students transition to work and/or permanent residence in New Zealand. Around one-fifth of fee-paying international students gain permanent residence in New Zealand.
• Students from India had the highest rate of transition to work (72%), followed by students from China (43%). Similarly, Students from India also had the highest rate of transition to permanent residence (47%), followed by students from China (23%).
• We modelled transition rates and found that, irrespective of factors such as students’ age, gender, and education sector, a student’s source country had the greatest effect on their likelihood of transitioning to work or residence.
• Even controlling for other factors, students from India were significantly more likely to transition to work and/or residence than were students from China. Students from both countries had higher rates of transition than students from other regions.
• The main reasons international students chose to study in New Zealand were the quality and cost of education in New Zealand, opportunities to work here after graduation and to apply for residence, and to study in an English speaking country.
• Our results showed that international students wanted to gain residence in New Zealand because of lifestyle, safety and security, and further educational opportunities. Economicrelated motivations, such as job opportunities, were less frequently reported.
• Using the LisNZ, we found that 68% of former international students were in full time employment 18 months after gaining permanent residence in New Zealand. Nearly one-third (31%) worked in professional occupations and 62% worked in a skilled job.4
• Former students who gained a New Zealand bachelor’s degree or higher experienced more positive labour market outcomes – that is, they earned more money, worked in a higher skilled job, and reported a higher level of job satisfaction than those who gained a vocational qualification in New Zealand.
• In general, we found that many former international students continue their studies after gaining residence. Eighteen months after gaining residence, 48% of former students had done other study in New Zealand (excluding English language study), and almost one-fifth were out of the labour force and studying.