IMMIGRATION HARDER FOR SOME INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

Immigration Minister Jonathan Coleman says he’s planning to make it harder for some international students to study in this country.

Dr Coleman has announced changes to the immigration policy which are aimed at weeding out those who are not in New Zealand genuinely to further their education.

The changes include tougher checks on whether students are capable of successfully completing their course and whether they have enough money to live on while they study.

Dr Coleman says some students see a student visa as a shortcut to getting access to New Zealand, and that has to stop.

New Zealand earns $2.3 billion a year from 90,000 overseas students, and the industry supports 32,000 jobs.

The changes come into effect on 25 July.

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