Background on Work to Residence visa categories Migrants working under the Care Workforce and Transport Sector Agreements and the Green List Work to Residence visa categories have a pathway to residence if they work in New Zealand for 2 years and meet certain eligibility requirements (depending on their occupation). These residence categories will open for applications on 29 September 2023. More on Sector agreement pathways More on Green list pathways Why this is an important change Before the update Under previous …

Read More

UK Working holiday changes The NZ/UK Working Holiday scheme is now available for those aged up to 35 and are granted for a maximum duration of 36 months. Holders of UK Working Holiday visas are allowed to work for the full duration of their visas. Looking to come and sample NZ on a Working Holiday Visa? We can help. Get in touch with us today! What are the key changes for UK travelers? The Working Holiday Visa is now available …

Read More

Maximum continuous stay period extended From November 2023, migrants seeking an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) on the basis of a permanent role, may be granted a visa valid for up to 5 years. After 5 years on an AEWV, they will need to leave New Zealand for at least 12 months, unless they are on a pathway to residence or have a residence application pending. This decision arises from the release of the new settings under the Skilled Migrant …

Read More

Skilled Migrant Category Applications under the new settings open October 2023 On the 21st June 2023, Immigration New Zealand has announced new policy for the Skilled Migrant category. The changes implemented create a streamlined points system where you must be able to claim 6 points to be eligible. Points will be allocated based on qualifications, occupational registrations, renumeration and time spent working in NZ. New Zealand Shores will be releasing a webinar next week in regards to the changes in …

Read More

Changes for travellers entering NZ from July Customs New Zealand has announced that a new, online, declaration form will be introduced for all travellers entering New Zealand from 10 July 2023. The change will first be implemented for those arriving in to Christchurch and Wellington airports and then from mid to late July, it will become available for people entering Queenstown airport. Arrivals in to New Zealand’s largest international airport in Auckland won’t have access to the digital declarations until …

Read More

Conditions added to partnership-based work visas For visa applications lodged from 31 May 2023, partners of work visa holders, who apply for a work visa on the basis of their relationship, will have certain restrictions: they can only work for an employer who is accredited they must be employed on at least $29.66 / hour (or the median wage in effect at the time they receive the job offer) they cannot work in roles covered by capped Sector Agreements. if …

Read More

Immigration confirms new roles for the Green list To address labour shortages and support New Zealand businesses, the Government is adding further occupations to the Green List. Green List occupations provide a straight-to-residence or 2-year work-to-residence pathway for workers hired under certain roles, who meet the requirements of the roel. What are the new occupations and when do these start to qualify? Straight to residence pathway From 29 May 2023, External Auditors (221213) and Internal Auditors (221214) will be added …

Read More

Proposed Changes to New Zealand SMC Immigration New Zealand is expected to announce changes regarding the Skilled Migrant Category within the next month after a period of consultation with businesses and industry. A date for the implementation of changes will also be announced in due course. The Minister of Immigration has released a statement suggesting the changes will not take immediate affect from the date of announcement; indicating any SMC policy change will allow further time for current policy to …

Read More