Enrolment procedures for years 1 - 8 or aged 10 or under for other providers

Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students

Information for schools enrolling international students in years 1 to 8

The Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students (the Code) contains important requirements about the accommodation of international students in years 1 to 8.

17.5 Signatories must determine and document that all international students enrolled in Years 1 to 6 of a school, or aged 10 and under and enrolled in any other provider, are living with and continue to live with a parent;

17.5.1 Except in the case of group students and students living in school hostels.

17.7 Signatories must obtain approval from the Administrator (as set out in sections 15.10 to 15.12) to enrol international students in Years 7 and 8 of a school, or aged 11 to 13 and enrolled in any other provider, and who are not living with a parent.

Suggested steps to ensuring that international students are living with a parent

It is suggested that when an agent/parent inquires about enrolling a Year 1-8 international student the school notes the student's name, date of birth and, if available, Immigration Service client number. These can then be given to the Immigration Service if it is suspected that a non-compliant applicant will try to enrol elsewhere.

Step 1: 

When processing the application, check:

• The student's immigration status
  Check also to see that the student is the child of the parent. A Birth certificate or Korean Family/Household Register may be necessary.
• The parent's immigration status
  Check that the parent's permit is for the length of the student's course

Advise the parent of the "Guardianship Visa" which will be concurrent with the student's permit

Advise the parent of the requirement that they must live and continue to live with their child, and what will happen if this condition of enrolment is breached

• Obtain details about the student's and parent's living arrangements in New Zealand
• Photocopy and file the information page and visa/permit page in the student's and parent's passports

Step 2:

Include on the Offer of Place form:

• A statement that enrolment is subject to the parent living and continuing to live with the student in New Zealand. Should a student be found not living with a parent, the school is required to notify the Immigration Service and the student permit may be revoked
• A space for the parent to declare their relationship to the student and that they have read, understood and accept the conditions of enrolment

Step 3:

At the final stage of the enrolment process:

• Ensure students and parents have the appropriate immigration documentation
• Photocopy and file the immigration documentation
• Record the parents contact details in New Zealand and in the home country.

Ensuring that international students continue to live with a parent

Post Enrolment:

• Inform parents of the school process and procedure if the parent should be required to return to their home country
• Establish a monitoring process for ensuring students continue to live with a parent
• Schools should review this process at least quarterly in accordance with section 30.4 of the Code
• A parent on a Guardianship Visa is in New Zealand for the purpose of looking after their child. The school should contact the Immigration Service if the school has concerns about a student who is not living with a parent
• Schools should notify the Immigration Service when an international student's enrolment is terminated

Provision for emergency situations

It is suggested that schools inform parents in writing that in the event of their needing to return to the home country in an emergency.

The parent must inform the school before leaving the country, where possible providing evidence of the emergency in the home country (e.g. medical or death certificate).

The school must approve the temporary residential care arrangements for the student.

If these requirements are met the school will notify the Immigration Service that it sanctions the parent's travel plans for a specified short period of time (eg 2-3 weeks).

Further information can be obtained from the Code Advisor for Schools
Email robert.minahan@minedu.govt.nz [no spam]
Phone 09 632 9436