'Precautionary step': INZ freezes all NZTC student visa applications amid investigation
NZTC is known for training early childhood teachers.
Applicants are being told they can switch providers or withdraw and get their college fees back.
Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has stopped processing student visa applications for every programme at New Zealand Tertiary College (NZTC) after the country's tertiary education watchdog launched an investigation into the private provider.
INZ visa director Celia Coombes told Awaaz the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) is currently probing the institution's operations. She did not say what prompted it or how many applicants are affected.
“This precautionary step helps protect the integrity of visa decisions while NZQA investigations are underway,” Coombes said. Visa processing was suspended on November 10.
The only other provider facing a student visa processing suspension is ICL Graduate Business School. Its suspension is limited to Master of Management programmes covered by an October compliance notice that halted new enrolments.
The NZTC suspension comes two weeks after INZ widened the circumstances in which it can put student visa applications on hold. Changes that took effect on October 27 allow INZ to suspend processing while possible non-compliance by an education provider is still being assessed.
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What it means for students
In an email to immigration advisers on Wednesday afternoon, NZTC chief executive Suzanne Pearson said the suspension could initially last up to six months. She said immigration officials would start contacting applicants on Thursday.
Applicants can wait for processing to resume, submit an offer of place from another provider to continue with their application, or withdraw. Pearson said the college would refund all fees paid to NZTC by those who withdraw. INZ says they can also request a refund of their visa application fee through its website.
Pearson said students who already have visas can start as planned, and those already studying can apply for a further visa to continue their course.
Students who have an offer but have yet to apply for a visa have been asked to wait. Their offers still stand, and the college has paused new international applications and offers.
“The suspensions of processing will remain under review and can be lifted if Immigration New Zealand is satisfied the provider is meeting its obligations,” Coombes said. “This will be informed by the NZQA investigations.”
NZTC has trained early childhood teachers for more than 40 years. It offers qualifications up to master’s level in early childhood education, as well as certificates in health and wellbeing.
It had the equivalent of about 3,650 full-time students in 2021, with international students accounting for nearly a third. NZQA gave the college its highest rating for the fourth time in a row in 2022.
