The month of July welcomed a total of 14,238 individuals on work visas, which marked a decrease from 16,878 in June and 17,319 in May.
The month of July welcomed a total of 14,238 individuals on work visas, which marked a decrease from 16,878 in June and 17,319 in May.
New Zealand has experienced a dynamic shift in international arrivals in the country, suggesting changing trends in the post-pandemic landscape.
While the influx of international students is displaying signs of recovery, albeit below pre-pandemic levels, overseas workers arriving on work visas experienced a two-month consecutive decline in July, the Interest.co.nz reported.
Citing data from the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment, the report said there is a sharp increase in the number of foreign students arriving in the country.
July witnessed a total of 12,438 entrants with student visas, marking a significant surge. This resurgence in student arrivals is reminiscent of the seasonal patterns prevalent prior to the pandemic, with January, February, and July being the peak months for such visa applications.
Despite the similarity in patterns, the total number of student arrivals still lags behind pre-pandemic levels.
In July, the arrival rate fell considerably short compared to the 20,118 entrants recorded in July 2019.
According to MBIE, New Zealand was home to 52,248 individuals on student visas by the end of July 2023, compared to the 86,100 recorded at the same time in 2019.
These figures indicate that the international education sector has yet to fully recover to its pre-pandemic heights.
Meanwhile, the number of entrants on work visas fell for a second consecutive month.
The month of July welcomed a total of 14,238 individuals on work visas, which marked a decrease from 16,878 in June and 17,319 in May.
The decline indicates a moderation in the rapid influx of foreign workers, which New Zealand witnessed following the relaxation of pandemic-induced border restrictions.
The arrival rate had considerably slowed to just a few hundred per month between April 2020 and March 2022. However, it began to surge again from April this year, peaking at 20,442 arrivals in March.
The MBIE data indicate that the number of entrants to New Zealand are now close to pre-pandemic levels.
This year, from February to July, New Zealand saw the arrival of 102,624 overseas workers. In comparison, during the same time frame in 2019, the corresponding figure stood at 111,120 arrivals.
While the overall pattern suggested a resumption of pre-pandemic trends, experts predict that the pinnacle of these arrivals might not be reached until January 2024. They forecast fluctuations in the monthly arrivals for the remainder of 2023.
Looking at the broader context, by July end, New Zealand became the new home of 149,220 individuals who arrived with work visas.
The number stands in stark contrast to the peak of 222,036 recorded in March 2020.
