October 2020 - NZ Immigration

From Studying to Working in NZ : Resources for International Students

Posted on October 22, 2020 by admin

New Zealand is one of the few countries that welcome international students from all walks of life. It also offers a rewarding and secure future. Undoubtedly, it is one of the most sought after countries in the world. It provides international students with a complete package consisting of internationally recognized qualifications, a hands-on approach to learning and excellent career prospects.

However, to make the most out of everything that New Zealand has got to offer, one has to be wary of baseless information available on various online platforms. Instead, you must refer to verifiable information given on Government sites and get assistance/advice from a Licensed Immigration Adviser.

By doing so, you will access truthful information, which will help you make a well-informed decision.

Choosing The Right Course

The first step is to do a self-analysis based on aptitude and interest. This step will help you mind map your entire journey until you reach your goal. The course you choose must provide you with academic and career progression. There are various sites you can refer to connect your interest with the courses offered in NZ. While choosing the course, you must simultaneously research the graduate outcomes post completion of your qualification. Your research should include related sectors, prospective employers, what skills they are looking for etc. Once you choose the right course, you would have reached a significant milestone.

Acquiring Post-Study Work Visa

Depending on the level of your course, you may avail up to 3 years of post-study work visa post completion of your qualification. A Licensed Immigration Adviser will be able to guide you on the requirements and processes involved correctly.

Being Smart During College

Networking is a key element if you want to succeed in New Zealand. It would help if you built your network while you study- connect with your professors, colleagues, and employers during internships. Be an effective communicator and showcase your capabilities at all times.

Make use of all available avenues. For example, most education providers have a Career Development Cell. This cell will assist you in building your CVs, working on your interview skills and helping you find the right employer.

At the same time, get connected with Licensed Immigration Advisers based out of New Zealand. You will need his/her guidance with regards to the legalities involved in all your future visas till you reach the end goal.

Additional Resources

If you’re still confused, here’s why you should consider pursuing higher education in New Zealand: Go Here
Here’s the information compiled by the New Zealand Government on where and what to study: Go Here
Get more insights into education, employment, and income of 60 occupations in New Zealand: Go Here
If you want to live in NZ permanently, learn about the process how international students can go about it: Go Here
Your NZ Student Visa application can hit many roadblocks. Know how you can deal with these “roadblocks:”: Go Here
Need more information on New Zealand Immigration? Want help with NZ Student Visa application process? Connect with us today: Go Here

Border Exception for Normally Resident Work Visa Holders: Conditions Attached

Posted on October 14, 2020 by admin

The New Zealand Government had announced last month that it will allow some work visa holders who are overseas now but usually live in New Zealand to re-enter the country.

Consequent to the announcement by the Government Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has now put a process in place, and the revised instructions have come into effect from 09 October 2020.

Only those who departed New Zealand between 1 December 2019 and 9 October 2020 and held an Essential Skills Work Visa based on mid or higher-skilled employment or assessed as at or above the median wage, a Work to Residence Visa or an Entrepreneur Work Visa when they left are eligible to request for entry. INZ would grant entry to them as work visa holders who normally live and works in New Zealand.

To be considered for the new border exception and to demonstrate a strong and ongoing connection to New Zealand with realistic prospects of remaining here long-term, visa holders must:

still hold their job in New Zealand, or continue to operate a business in New Zealand
hold either work to residence visa, or an essential skills visa that is not subject to the stand-down period, or an entrepreneur visa
have departed New Zealand on or after 1 December 2019
have lived in New Zealand for at least two years, or, if living in New Zealand for at least one year, have one of the following:

an entrepreneur work visa and operating a business in New Zealand (and operated it before departing New Zealand)
their dependent children with them in New Zealand (for at least six months)
parents or adult siblings who are ordinarily resident in New Zealand
submitted an application for residence by 31 July 2020

have held a visa at the time of departing that does not expire before the end of 2020, or, if expiring before that date, have applied for a further visa by 10 August 2020.

The clause of having lived in New Zealand for at least two years has a condition attached to it, which was not clarified before. This has only come into the picture when INZ released the online form for requesting border exception.

This condition stipulates that there is also a requirement for the applicant to have spent 273 days or more in New Zealand in each of the two 12-month periods immediately before their departure.

The Government is expecting up to 850 visa holders may be eligible for this category, and it will monitor numbers.

For any queries or clarifications please reach out to us:

– Phone: +64 9 379 0219
– WhatsApp: +6421 080 14228
– Email: contact@nzimmigration.info
– Visit our website: www.nzimmigration.info

Reference: https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/new-border-exception-normally-resident-work-visa-holders-0

Essential Skills Work Visa: Updates To Skills Match Report Process

Posted on October 5, 2020 by admin

COVID-19 has presented a unique set of challenges for New Zealand job seekers, employers and temporary work visa holders. Although the impact is varied across regions, it is evident that more people are now looking for work.

The New Zealand Government has thus taken cognisance of the changing job market and announced changes related to Skills Match Report (SMR) process. These changes have streamlined the SMR process for employers.

As part of these changes, the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) has created lists of occupations and regions. It is to find out where there is a clear over or undersupply of New Zealanders on Job Seeker Support. The lists have been published on the Work and Income website.

Likely Impact

These changes address the requirement of sectors that are experiencing workforce challenges to secure visas for some occupation groups.

The changes are designed to provide a clear signal to employers that visa applications for low-paid roles are unlikely to be successful for occupations where there is an oversupply of available New Zealand job seekers.

Listing of Role

The lists are prepared to reference the ANZSCO (Version1.2) codes for each occupation listed. Immigration New Zealand (INZ) will refer to it and assess whether the job offered matches an occupation on the undersupply or oversupply list. Based on this assessment, INZ will determine whether an SMR would be required for employment where salary is below the median wage.

The anticipated scenarios based on the current job market are as under:

Undersupply of New Zealand Jobseekers

Those occupations and regions where there is an undersupply of New Zealand job seekers, employers will now no longer need an SMR. However, these roles would have to be such which pay below the national median wage, currently $25.50 an hour.

Employers however will have to endeavour towards showing that they have genuinely and publicly advertised the role for New Zealanders to have seen it. On being able to deliver such an effort, employers would be able to support a migrant work visa application.

Oversupply of New Zealand Jobseekers

INZ has a system in place that ensures New Zealanders are always first in line for jobs. Once it is well established that the need is genuine and that New Zealanders are not available to meet it, access to migrant workers is enabled.

For occupations and regions on the oversupply list, employers can move straight to engaging with MSD to recruit New Zealand job seekers. This process is in place anticipating that there are New Zealand job seekers on Job Seeker Support available.

No Clear Oversupply or Undersupply

Where there is no clarity over whether there is over or undersupply of New Zealand job seekers, employers will follow the current SMR process.

An SMR would still have to be procured from MSD before an employer can hire a migrant earning below the national median wage (currently $25.50 an hour).

Temporary Measure

The lists of occupations on the over and undersupply framework will be reviewed every three months or sooner if there is a significant change to the labour market. The first review will be in early 2021, and a decision taken by INZ if there is an ongoing need in light of the labour market conditions at the time.

This review, when undertaken, will also be in advance of the implementation of planned reforms to the temporary work visa system (including strengthening of the labour market test).

Conclusion

INZ will use these lists from 7 October 2020. However, during its assessment, INZ will continue to consider SMR for applications submitted before 7 October 2020.

INZ will also use the ANZSCO (version 1.2) to confirm an occupation is on the over or undersupply list. It will also remain necessary for employers to match the job that they are offering to the ANZSCO occupation accurately. This match will be critical during the assessment done by INZ to consider whether the job is on the oversupply or undersupply lists.

Reference: https://www.immigration.govt.nz/about-us/media-centre/news-notifications/employers-can-find-out-more-easily-if-new-zealanders-are-available-for-jobs

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Month: October 2020