Students outside New Zealand

COVID-19 information for Victoria University of Wellington international students affected by travel restrictions.

New Zealand closed its borders to all non-citizens and non-permanent residents at 11.59 pm on Thursday 20 March. Student visa holders cannot currently enter New Zealand.

If you are a student affected by the COVID-19 travel restrictions, we have answers to some common questions. This includes information about what to do if you are not able to attend your classes at Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand.

About COVID-19 in New Zealand

COVID-19 is a respiratory virus that can cause pneumonia. Know the symptoms and call your physician if you think you have been exposed.

COVID-19 has spread widely throughout the world, leading the World Health Organisation to announce a pandemic in March 2020.

There is now evidence of community spread of COVID-19. On the Government’s four-stage alert level messaging system, New Zealand is now at level 4, the highest level. Everyone should stay home for as long as the country remains at level 4.

Read our latest announcements

The University is providing up-to-date information on the the global outbreak of COVID-19 and its impact on staff and students.

COVID-19 information for students

The University is closely monitoring the global outbreak of COVID-19 and is working with health authorities and following their advice.

If you are a student outside New Zealand affected by COVID-19 travel restrictions, go to our COVID-19 student information page for information on international travel, visas, fees, and online enrolment.

International students in New Zealand

Find COVID-19-related information for international students who are studying at Victoria University of Wellington.

International student support

In addition to faculty and school staff, Student Academic Services, and Accommodation, the international student support teams at Wellington University International are working remotely for at least the next four weeks, due to the COVID-19 alert 4 put in place by the New Zealand government.

We continue to be available to support you and answer any questions, even though you can’t visit us in the office.

We appreciate you may be receiving information from many different sources. Any time you need support or clarification, email international-support@vuw.ac.nz. Staff will be available to talk with you. We can also arrange a call back if you email us your contact phone number.

International student advisers

International student advisers are here to provide information, advice, and guidance to you during your time in New Zealand while studying at the University. Our primary role is student support, rather than academic advice. The team can also provide information about visas and insurance.

We understand that living and studying in a foreign country can be challenging and talking about it can help. This is particularly important now, when you may be anxious about your family overseas and what is happening in your home country.

Support and advice

• Student Counselling offers confidential help with any issues affecting your sense of wellbeing, relationships, or learning. Appointments are covered by Studentsafe University insurance.
• Lifeline provides a confidential and anonymous phone-counselling service. You can discuss personal problems with a professional Lifeline counsellor 24 hours a day on their toll-free number: 0800 111 777.
• Samaritans offers a 24-hour anonymous listening service on their Wellington phone line: 04 473 9739.

Medical help

University Health Services (Mauri Ora) will stay open while the University is closed, and only for essential services. You must phone first to make an appointment on 04 463 5308 or phone the University’s contact centre on 0800 04 04 04 and they will transfer you.

What COVID-19 means for us all

Limiting the spread of COVID-19 means some big changes to the way we are used to living.

It means no visits with friends or family. And it means temporarily stopping regular activities that involve contact with others, such as visiting the gym, shopping, and socialising. Stopping these activities and staying at home—whether in a hall of residence, a homestay, or a shared apartment—will protect you and others.

We are all working together to help remove COVID-19 from New Zealand by reducing its spread.

If you need to head out for essentials like groceries or medication, that’s okay. Please limit how often you do this and only do it when necessary. If you do go out, keep as much physical distance between you and others as you can. At least two metres is recommended. It’s also important that you avoid touching surfaces that other people may have touched and wash your hands regularly.

For some of you, limiting the spread of COVID-19 means following self-isolation rules, which require anybody who has arrived in New Zealand since 16 March, or anybody who has been in contact with a known case of COVID-19 to self-isolate.

Accommodation

All students are being supported to stay home while New Zealand is at COVID-19 alert 4 and 3. Wherever you were staying on the night of 25 March is where you must remain for the four weeks afterwards, or until the Government shifts to alert level 2.

Halls of residence

• Those in Weir House are well and are asked to stay home within their hall. If they need to go out to get essentials or for a walk, they need to stay local and maintain a 2 metre physical distance.
• All students staying at 222 Willis, Education House, University Halls, and Stafford House self-catered halls before the alert 4 was put in place are still living in those halls.

Private accommodation

• Your flat is a safe space, and if you have flatmates, they are the only people you may see during this period.
• You can reach out to your family and friends at home and in New Zealand via online methods—Skype, Zoom, Teams, Facebook Messenger. This is encouraged, as it will help you not to be lonely while self-isolating.
• The COVID-19 self-isolation page has further tips on how to keep yourself safe during this period.
• If you have been exposed to COVID-19 and have no way to self-isolate within your current apartment / flat, call the University's contact centre on 0800 04 04 04 or email info@vuw.ac.nz.

Face masks

The Ministry of Health’s current advice is that for most people in the community, face masks are not recommended. For people with symptoms of a cold or flu, there may be benefits in wearing a mask to reduce the risk of spreading infection.

If you wish to use a face mask, please do so without fearing stigma. We know that in many cultures, face masks are worn by people routinely as a courtesy to those around them and to guard against pollution and pollen.

Visa information

People with a work, Student, Visitor, Limited, or Interim visa with an expiry date of 2 April to 9 July 2020 inclusive who are in New Zealand now, will have their visas extended to 25 September 2020. Confirmation of extensions will be emailed to all visa holders.

You can find your visa expiry date in your eVisa letter.

Student visa holders who have been employed in supermarkets as of 25 March, or in the essential healthcare sector as of 3 April (including aged care), are now able to work for more than 20 hours per week if they wish to do so. You can find more information about these changes on Immigration NZ's page for Student Visa Holders.

Financial and insurance information

We encourage you to continue to study online with Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand. But here is the information you need to know if you would like to withdraw from study.

Refunds of tuition fees

Refunds of tuition fees after arrival if you have been affected by the travel restrictions:

• If you withdraw between 1 April and 8 May, you will receive a 75% refund. Contact your faculty and apply for the refund via the fee reconsideration process.
• If you withdraw between 11 May and 5 June, you will receive a 50% refund. Contact your faculty and apply for the refund via the fee reconsideration process.

If you cannot stay in New Zealand to study because you were recalled to your home country, refunds will be considered on a case-by-case basis. You may be able to withdraw with a partial refund (75% or 50%) until 10 May. Contact your faculty and apply for a refund via the fee reconsideration process.

Refunds of accommodation costs

You can request a refund for accommodation after arrival if you have been directly affected by COVID-19:

• You will be charged from arrival until the day you leave—everything else is refunded.
• You will not be charged a contract break free (usually $500).
• You will not be charged additional penalty fees.
• The refunds will take the usual six weeks to process.

Online delivery and tuition fees

The University campuses are currently closed. Beginning on 28 April, all courses will be delivered online, if possible. If your course can’t be delivered online, you will receive a 100% refund of tuition fees. Your faculty office will contact you to arrange this. If it can be delivered online, and if you still want to withdraw, no refund will be offered.

Studentsafe University insurance and COVID-19

If you contract COVID-19 in New Zealand and are insured with Studentsafe University insurance, the medical cost of treatment will be covered. But if you have another type of insurance, you need to contact your insurance company to find out whether they will cover it.

Find out more about Studentsafe University insurance.

Support for online study

Information to help you study online is available at the online learning hub—you may wish to complete courses in skills for online learning.

Students who have technical issues with Blackboard can get in touch by phone 04 463 5050, email servicedesk@vuw.ac.nz or via webchat.

Additional resources and course materials are provided on Blackboard by the subject librarians from the university library.

COVID-19 wage subsidy

International students who are legally entitled to work and who are employed by a New Zealand employer are covered by the wage subsidy. The subsidy covers employees who are working part-time or on a casual or contract basis. The subsidy is paid to employers. It does not cover international students who were not in employment before the outbreak of COVID-19.

Work and Income has more information about the COVID-19 wage subsidy.