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Visa policy for pregnant students to be revised

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Mon, 03 Oct 2011 10:24a.m.

The Union of Students' Associations backs the review (file)

The Union of Students' Associations backs the review (file)

A policy which denies pregnant international students visas or renewed visas is being overhauled after it was deemed outdated.

Under the policy instituted in 2008, pregnant foreigners are considered to be a potential drain on health services.

As it stands, international students must renew their visas annually and purchase health insurance so having a baby doesn't cost the government anything.

Immigration Minister Jonathan Coleman says the policy is outdated, Radio New Zealand reports.

The Union of Students' Associations backs the review, saying the rules are unduly harsh and puts stress on the mother and child.

"The policy, while it only affects a very small number of people, it really has had the affect on unduly disrupting people's studies and also lengthening the time of student meaning some people just can't complete their study in New Zealand," association co-president David Do told NZN.

"In the past there have been cases where students have offered to pay all the medical costs associated with giving birth and still being declined (their visa) which seems quite unreasonable."

NZN
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Comments

03 Oct 2011 05:06p.m.

johnmillan wrote:

Why hit the students,they do have to pay their way.Hit the pacific Islsnder over stayers as they dont pay anything yet receive every thing on a gold platter.Those overstayers who are being housed and fed by the taxpayers.I only hope that the Asian students take note of what Coleman wants,and dont come here to study and travel,as NZ dont need any of your money,as NZ is so efficient as it is.Go and attend uni in England, Usa, Aussie.As your fees would be much less than here.We have had many asian students stay with us in the past,and our advise was for them to get educated in another country.Car dealers, and those who rent houses and flats out also the education suppliers are the ones who will lose out on this.And I for one say good on them for not coming to Nz like they used to,even the tourists dont come here as many as they used to,after the RWC is over the money will dry up,then there will be a big cry out for tourists and students to come back.And look at the way those Asian students who lost their lives,the way their family!s got treated after the Christchurch earthquake?who would ever want to return here.

03 Oct 2011 02:16p.m.

ken wrote:

The plan is to get them to pay for their own expenses so its not really a burden. One fact is that international students pay way more than NZ residents and citizens in hospital sometimes up to 3 times more, that's quiet a huge income for the hospital. If their kids are born here they would still not qualify for citizenship because the government is planning to implement laws that would stop that. They would not be entitled to any kind of benefits from the tax payers money. So I personally don't think its a bad thing because it would not harm the economy in any way but rather bring in some more money which we could use considering we have a debt of around 650 million dollars.

03 Oct 2011 01:57p.m.

Kim wrote:

I'm just curious which minister sent out the policy change directive? Unfortunatly using the year (2008) is a little confusing. is this a labour party policy and national are reviewing it.. or was it a "slap a ban on it then we can review it at our leisure" policy of the national govt directly after the election?

03 Oct 2011 01:19p.m.

cleo wrote:

International students are getting pregnant on purpose and leaving the kid in nz to get a free education if they get asked to leave. they are a giant burden on the tax payer look at queen street its a mini hongkong i went to green lane hospital once and i was the only nz person in the waiting room

03 Oct 2011 01:16p.m.

jill wrote:

@katrina obviously you intentionally left out the part "they pay for all expenses" to confuse the issue for you own agenda. The fact is, full fees paying foreigners bring in the funds desperately needed to develop NZ health system. Also these babies born here cannot get citizenship. Luckily our government is smart enough to know that, that's why they want to change the law (you think they will do it out of humanity?)

03 Oct 2011 10:40a.m.

katrina wrote:

Surely it is having the baby that disrupts their studies. We can not afford to support every person coming here to have their babies, If they are serious about their study then they should be more careful about not getting pregnant. There are too many 'students' exploiting the system as it is.