Immigration

South Island Contribution visa announced

The Government has announced a new policy to provide a one-off pathway to residence for around 1,600 migrant workers and their families who have been living in the South island for more than five years. Eligible migrants will be granted an initial Work to Residence temporary visa, which would make them eligible for residence after two years provided they stay in the same industry and region. They will then be granted a resident visa, with conditions requiring them to stay …

Read More

Review of temporary migrant work settings

The Government has announced it is consulting on proposed changes to temporary migration settings to manage the number and settlement expectations of new migrants coming to New Zealand on Essential Skills work visas. The proposals are also designed to stop the reoccurrence of pools of long-term temporary migrants with no pathway to residence. The proposals for public consultation, which Cabinet have agreed to in principle, include: the introduction of remuneration bands to determine the skill level of an Essential Skills …

Read More

Skilled Migrant Category changes

The Government has announced a package of changes designed to better manage immigration and improve the labour market contribution of temporary and permanent migration. Two remuneration thresholds are being introduced for applicants applying for residence under the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC). One will be set at the New Zealand median income of $48,859 a year for jobs that are currently considered skilled. The other threshold will be set at 1.5 times the New Zealand median income of $73,299 a year …

Read More

INZ Residency Programme & South African visitor visas

Immigration New Zealand Residency Programme We have received notification from Immigration New Zealand that, effective immediately, there are some changes to the New Zealand Residency Programme. This impacts: Parent Category (which is temporarily closed) Skilled Migrant Residency (threshold raised to 160 points and updated English language requirements introduced) For more information please visit the Immigration NZ website which has detailed descriptions on the changes and Q&A sections which will help answer questions you may have. Also please feel free to …

Read More

Important change for South Africans

Important Change to Visa Waiver Status for South African Passport Holders We have received notification from Immigration New Zealand advising that as of the 21st of November South Africa will no longer be a visa waiver country which means all South African citizens will need to make a formal application for a visitor visa and have this approved before travelling to New Zealand. If you are a South African citizen and were intending to visit NZ after the 21st of …

Read More

Visa Approvals For South Koreans Set To Increase

By David Fisher, New Zealand Shores, Law and Policy Adviser From 20 December 2015, changes to New Zealand Immigration Policy will mean that South Korean nationals may find it much easier to live and work in New Zealand. The changes to policy have been introduced as a result of the signing of a free trade agreement between the two nations earlier this year and will include changes to the Working Holiday Scheme, the addition of Korea as a qualifying country …

Read More

Are your skills in demand in New Zealand?

  By David Fisher, New Zealand Shores, Law and Policy Adviser   The subject of this article is one which is very important for anyone wanting to emigrate to New Zealand as a skilled worker. Simply put, the topic revolves around the difference between technical eligibility and the ability to actually obtain skilled employment. First of all I will discuss the Skilled Migrant policy in general and point out some of the pitfalls that many potential migrants encounter in trying …

Read More

New Zealand seeks students from Vietnam

As the two governments make attempts to boost trade links, New Zealand Universities are set to benefit from an increased drive for Vietnamese students to study in New Zealand. New Zealand Universities are keen to take advantage of the increase in young Vietnamese people heading offshore for tertiary education. Currently there are around 2000 Vietnamese students in New Zealand but that number is set to increase by 30 per cent over a two year period as part of a new …

Read More

New Zealand Immigration Fees Set To Rise

On the 9th of November 2015 he Government announced that as a result of a cost review they will be increasing government immigration charges by 8.3 per cent overall. The stated reason for the increase is to cover programs designed to enhance New Zealand’s border security and support the implementation of Vision 2015.  Both of these initiatives are intended to provide further improvements to customer experience and border risk management.  Other areas of increased expenditure will be enhanced marketing and …

Read More

New Incentives Offered for Migration to the Regions

  By David Fisher, New Zealand Shores, Law and Policy Adviser   On 26 July this year the Government made an announcement that changes would be made to Immigration policy incentivising migration into New Zealand’s regions. The new measures are to take effect from 1 November and include: Boosting the bonus points for Skilled Migrants applying for residence with a job offer outside Auckland from 10 to 30 points. Doubling the points for entrepreneurs planning to set up businesses in …

Read More

New Zealand Shores