1. Student Visa Processing Ho Chi Minh City Branch
June 2009

2. Julie Smart Visa Officer
The Team at HCMC
Wendy Greaves Immigration Manager
Greg Henderson Visa Officer
Tu Anh Huynh Visa Officer
Julie Smart Visa Officer

3. Today’s 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

4. MANAGEMENT CHANGE
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.

5. ALL VISAS IN
WORK 4%
50%
46%
STUDENTS
VISITORS

6. TYPES OF STUDENT VISAS IN 2009
4% POST GRAD
HIGH SCH
19%
50%
ENGLISH
UNDER GRAD
28%

7. STUDENT DECISIONS IN
5% WITHDRAWN
DECLINED
11%
83%
APPROVED

8. PROCESSING STATISTICS In 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41 were withdrawn by the student prior to a decision (5%)

9. DECLINED APPLICATIONS
Of the 84 declined applications in , 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.

10. DECLINED APPLICATIONS
3.8% student applications were declined in
This increased to 11.4% in
Possibly reflecting -
8% increase in applications from areas of ‘higher risk’

11. 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

12. STUDENT BEHAVIOUR
Of the 608 students approved a visa in the 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.

13. 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.

14. 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.

15. THE UPCOMING YEAR The new Minister of Immigration
is currently reviewing the
“work rights” available to
English Language
students

16. 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.

17. The Asean Australian New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (AANZFTA)
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.

18. 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.

19. Questions?

20. CONTACT DETAILS Immigration New Zealand New Zealand Consulate General
Level 9, The Metropolitan
235 Dong Khoi Street
District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Telephone:
Facsimile:
Open 8.30 to Monday to Friday