the "study" visas are treated ,by a lot, as a means of staying here as they were putting asylum claims in when their visa expired
Fair point but still think it’s a fair assumption your average person here on a study visa does more good than harm. Low burden on services and they spend a lot to be here in the first place. Essentially we’ve lost more people than expected who put in more than they take out, brought in fewer people who take in more than they take out and kept the number of people who take out more than they put in the same. All of which adds up to… not good.
Foreign students must spend a hell of a lot money in this country. My neck of the woods the biggest number of students coming in must be on the campuses at Canterbury, which is forever expanding and not all of it is onsite living, quite a few students rent properties off site, especially when you get the rich ones with their mates. They have to eat, use the nightlife, all of which is critical to our economy/hospitality. Probably part reason Canterbury still thrives as well as the tourists, then you have the private boarding schools around the country, who have travelled here from places such as Asia. I honestly couldn't think of any reason why anyone would have problems with students coming here, yeah you will always get people abuse the system but that's just every part of daily life. Certainly a positive to our economy.
Overall asylum claims: In the year ending June 2025, 36% (14,800) of asylum claimants had a study visa as their last form of leave before claiming asylum, while 30% (12,200) had a work visa and 22% (8,900) had a visitor visa.
