Overseas students applying for visas to study in New Zealand will be streamlined under a new system, in a move to help boost higher education.

Government agencies Immigration New Zealand and Education New Zealand have signed an agreement to enable international students using a New Zealand Specialist Agent (NZSA) to have their visa applications processed within 10 working days, according to Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Steven Joyce.

‘The international education industry is worth just over 2 billion NZ dollars (1.57 billion U.S. dollars) to New Zealand's economy. It is a bridge between New Zealand and the world. We want to double the economic and social benefits that international education brings over the next 15 years,’ Joyce said in a statement.

Immigration Minister Nathan Guy said in the statement that Immigration New Zealand played a key role in facilitating the entry of around 100,000 international students who came to New Zealand each year.

How does the new agreement benefit you?

As the world grows more interconnected, many governments from top study destinations aim to facilitate the movement of graduates from all around the world to study and experience life abroad. This decision by the New Zealand government to streamline visa applications will allow you to become part of this great community of students, through contacting a specialised agent in your home country.

Read more:

Find out the process for applying for a New Zealand student visa.

Learn more about what studying in New Zealand is all about.

For more information about student visa application, visit the official New Zealand immigration website.

If you are applying for Doctorate degrees, you are eligible to apply for the International Research scholarship.