Student Visa Processing Ho Chi Minh City Branch

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Student Visa ProcessingHo Chi Minh CityBranch
June 2009
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Julie SmartVisa Officer
The Team at HCMC
Wendy GreavesImmigration Manager
Greg HendersonVisa Officer
Tu Anh HuynhVisa Officer
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Todays Programme

• PART ONE -
• Changes during the past year
• Statistics and trends
• The year coming up
• PART TWO -
• Practical training session for Agents on
  compiling a good student application

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MANAGEMENTCHANGE

• Until this year the day to day visa operation in
  Ho Chi Minh City was managed by New Zealand Trade
  and Enterprise (NZTE).
• In January 2009, Immigration New Zealand (INZ)
  took over the direct management of the visa
  operation and the visa staff.

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ALL VISAS IN 2008- 2009
WORK
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50
46
VISITORS
STUDENTS
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TYPES OF STUDENT VISAS IN 2009
4 POST GRAD
HIGH SCH
19
50
ENGLISH
UNDER GRAD
28
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STUDENT DECISIONS IN 2008-2009
5 WITHDRAWN
DECLINED
11
83
APPROVED
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PROCESSING STATISTICSIn 2008-2009 there were 733
Student Visa applications decided at Ho Chi
Minh Branch

• Of these applications
• 522 were approved (71), plus
• 86 were approved utilising a Limited Purpose Visa
  (12)
• 84 were declined (11)
• 41 were withdrawn by the student prior to a
  decision (5)

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DECLINED APPLICATIONS

• Of the 84 declined applications in
  2008-2009, the majority were declined because
• We could not be satisfied that they were a
  genuine student. (Did not meet positive student
  profile).
• Evidence of funds could not be verified and/or
  there was no evidence of an ongoing income.

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DECLINED APPLICATIONS

• 3.8 student applications were declined in
  2007-2008
• This increased to 11.4 in 2008-2009
• Possibly reflecting -
• 8 increase in applications from areas of higher
  risk

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APPROVAL RATES 2009

• 76 of English Language students are approved
• 98 of High School students are approved
• 97 of Undergraduate students are approved
• 100 of Postgraduate students are approved

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STUDENT BEHAVIOUR

• Of the 608 students approved a visa in the
  2008-2009 period, only four have overstayed
  their visa and are now unlawfully in New Zealand.
• Three of the four students had originally been
  issued with a Limited Purpose Visa.

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POSITIVE STUDENT PROFILE

• THE BASICS
• Good academic history.
• Continuous study pattern.
• Clear study plan relevant to educational
  background or work experience and career
  aspirations.
• Proven ability in English to be able to
  successfully attend their chosen course of study
  in New Zealand.
• Solid financial support - capable of sustaining
  long term study plans.

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PROCESSING TIMES

• Processing times will vary depending on the
  quality of the application and the documents
  provided to us.
• Student applications which meet the positive
  profile should have an approval issued within 10
  days.
• Some applications may take up to 30 days to
  process.

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THE UPCOMING YEAR

• The new
• Minister of Immigration
• is currently reviewing the
• work rights available to
• English Language
• students

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WORKING ON A STUDENT VISA

• The following categories of students can work
  20 hours per week and over the holidays
• Studying full time for a course that is 2 years
  duration or will gain points under Skilled
  Migrant Category for residence.
• Full time secondary school students in Year 12 or
  13 with permission from parents and the school.
• Studying English for at least 6 months with an
  existing IELTS of 5.

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THE UPCOMING YEAR

• The Asean Australian New Zealand
• Free Trade Agreement (AANZFTA)
• was signed in February 2009.
• Vietnamese Working Holiday Scheme for young
  people will be introduced in early 2010.

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THE UPCOMING YEAR

• Immigration Advisors (agents) operating within
  New Zealand, who wanted to submit applications to
  INZ, had to be licensed from the 4 May 2009.
• Offshore agents, wanting to submit visa
  applications to INZ, must be licensed by 4 May
  2010.
• Individuals are licensed, NOT the business or
  company.

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Questions?
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CONTACT DETAILS

• Immigration New Zealand
• New Zealand Consulate General
• Level 9, The Metropolitan
• 235 Dong Khoi Street
• District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
• Telephone [phone]
• Facsimile 84 8 822 6905
• Open 8.30 to 11.30 Monday to Friday