Universities face work to get fully back into the international student market.

The borders fully re-open from August - two months ahead of schedule.

International students can also start the process to enter the country.

Universities New Zealand chief executive Chris Whelan says it's too late for students to come in for semester two - but puts New Zealand back in the market for next year.

He says every other country that competes for international students has been back in the market since at least the start of the year.

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