Indian Students Who Chose New Zealand Instead of Canada — Success Stories
As Canada's student visa intake cap tightened in 2024, a group of students from Punjab made a different choice: New Zealand. Two years later, they have no regrets.
Lovepreet, Kirandeep, and Harjinder — Amritsar to Auckland instead of Canada
In early 2024, Canada announced an international student cap and new restrictions on PGWP eligibility. Dozens of students in Punjab had their applications in motion — offers letters, IELTS scores, financials prepared. Suddenly the goalposts moved. For some, it was not a delay. It was the moment they reconsidered entirely.
Three students from the same Amritsar coaching centre — Lovepreet, Kirandeep, and Harjinder — made the same pivot: New Zealand. Two years later, all three are thriving.
Why New Zealand Is a Serious Option for Indian Students
- Post-study work visa: Up to 3 years for master's graduates, 2 years for bachelor's — open work permission
- Permanent Residency: Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) is points-based and regularly invites applicants with skilled employment
- Work rights during study: 20 hours/week during term, full-time during scheduled holidays (same as Canada)
- Cost: Comparable to Canada — roughly NZD 22,000–28,000 per year for a diploma or bachelor's program
- Safety and quality of life: Consistently ranked among the highest globally — especially for international students
- Size: Much smaller than Canada — faster to build networks, fewer students competing for the same jobs
In Canada, I would have been one of 50,000 new international students arriving that year. In New Zealand, I was one of 7,000. Every internship application I sent got a reply — even if it was a rejection. That responsiveness changes everything.
— Lovepreet Kaur, Amritsar, now Auckland
Where They Are Two Years Later
Lovepreet works in healthcare administration in Auckland. Kirandeep completed a two-year IT diploma at MIT (Manukau Institute of Technology) and is now on a graduate work visa building experience toward Skilled Migrant Category PR. Harjinder took a one-year postgraduate certificate in Business Analysis and has a full-time role at an Auckland analytics company. None of them regret skipping Canada.