Month: January 2025

A lot of times when international students apply for jobs in New Zealand employers tell them that they prefer applicants with a “NZ work experience”. Several reasons make ‘NZ work experience’ a major factor in increasing their employability.  It encompasses familiarity with New Zealand’s workplace culture, communication styles, and business norms. Employers prioritise this type of experience because it reassures them that a candidate can fit into local teams, handle customer expectations effectively, and align with workplace practices unique to New Zealand.

Why Is It Important to Employers?

1. Cultural Alignment:
   Every country has its unique work culture, and New Zealand is no different. Employers value local experience because it demonstrates that candidates understand how businesses operate in New Zealand. For example, the flat hierarchy in many New Zealand workplaces allows employees to interact freely with people in different positions However, in other countries, hierarchical structures might be different.
2. Communication Skills:
   Local work experience demonstrates that candidates are proficient in communicating effectively within a Kiwi context. This includes understanding colloquial language, responding to understated communication styles, and navigating formal and informal interactions.
3. Confidence in Integration:
   Employers want to feel assured that the new employees can integrate smoothly into their teams and take on job responsibilities without requiring significant time to adapt. NZ work experience gives employers the confidence to hire immigrant worker.
4. Customer Familiarity:
   For roles that involve client or customer service, it’s critical to know how to interact with New Zealand’s customer base. Local experience provides practical exposure to these expectations and teaches subtle nuances like appropriate tone, respect for diversity, and Kiwi-specific customer service standards.

What About Students with Work Experience Abroad?

For international students, already having a wealth of experience in their home country is valuable—it reflects transferable skills such as expertise in their field, problem-solving abilities, and leadership qualities. However, without New Zealand experience, some challenges may arise:

• Perceived Knowledge Gap: Employers might question whether foreign experience fully translates to the New Zealand context.
• Unawareness of Local Work Norms: Despite having global expertise, the lack of insight into NZ-specific practices may make some employers hesitate.

How Can Students Bridge the Gap?

1. Leverage Existing Skills:
   International students should highlight how their previous work experience relates to New Zealand’s job market. Include universal skills like teamwork, project management, soft skills, and technical expertise.
2. Gain Volunteer or Part-Time Experience:
   Volunteering, internships, or part-time jobs are excellent avenues to gain exposure to New Zealand’s workplace culture. Even small local experiences can reassure employers of a candidate’s adaptability.
3. Network with Local Professionals:
   Building professional connections in New Zealand via events, LinkedIn, or alumni networks can help international students understand the nuances of the market and potentially access opportunities for gaining local experience.
4. Pursue Industry-Specific Training:
   Enrolling in workshops or certification programs relevant to New Zealand industries can reflect a willingness to learn and adapt to local standards.
5. Speak the Language of Adaptability:
   During interviews or on CVs, students should share examples of how they adapted to different cultures or work norms in the past. Employers value flexibility and the ability to fit into diverse settings.

Final Thoughts

While New Zealand employers value local work experience for its cultural and practical advantages, this does not diminish the importance of international experience. By bridging the gap through practical strategies like networking, pursuing local opportunities, and aligning foreign skills with Kiwi workplace demands international students can overcome this challenge. Employers ultimately seek talent that can contribute meaningfully to their teams, and by demonstrating adaptability, learning, and cross-cultural aptitude, international students can position themselves as indispensable assets in the New Zealand workforce.

There is a noticeable shortage of nurses in many countries today. Nursing is a high-demand profession in New Zealand in 2025, particularly in speciality areas such as emergency department, mental health, and addiction. Like many developed countries, New Zealand is facing an ageing population that will require increased medical care. Also, the New Zealand Nurses Organisation has estimated that half of the country’s nurses will retire by 2035.

To maintain quality healthcare and tackle the shortage of nurses, the Government of New Zealand has added several registered nurse roles to Tier 1 of the Green List Roles. This allows overseas-registered nurses to apply directly for the Straight to Residence Visa.

To work as a Registered Nurse in New Zealand, you must register with the Nursing Council of New Zealand and obtain a practising certificate from the council. Let’s talk about the steps involved in the registration process.

Registration as an Internationally Qualified Nurse

For nurses who are currently registered with an overseas regulatory authority, the following are the steps to get registered with the Nursing Council of New Zealand.

Step 1: Documents Verification with CGFNS

The Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) is used by the Nursing Council of New Zealand (NCNZ) to verify and authenticate the credentials of Internationally Qualified Nurses (IQN). The following documents must be submitted to CGFNS for verification and authentication:

• Identity Documents
• Employment History (with a minimum of 1,800 hours of post-registration nursing experience)
• Education History (the nursing qualification that made you eligible to obtain registration as a nurse. This education must be equivalent to New Zealand qualification.)
• Licence Validation (current registration (s) held in the last 10 years)
• Language Proficiency (A minimum score on the Occupational English Test (OET) or IELTS, as specified by the CGFNS. There are two English Language Evidence Pathways that may not require an OET or IELTS score)

Once all the documents have been verified, CGFNS will send the report to NCNZ after you have reviewed and authorised it. For detailed information regarding documents and requirements, visit the official CGFNS website.

Step 2: Completion of Online Courses

As an IQN, you must complete two free online courses on culturally safe nursing practice in New Zealand. A certificate of completion will be issued for each course, and you must submit them to the NCNZ.

Step 3: Fitness to Practise

Fitness to Practise requires every IQN applicant to go through a criminal history check. This check is done for all the countries that an applicant has lived in for more than 12 months in the last seven years. An authorised agency performs this check on behalf of the NCNZ. If you have lived in New Zealand for 6 months or more, you must also go through a criminal history check through the Ministry of Justice.

Step 4: Competent to Practise in New Zealand

Once you have completed all the above steps, NCNZ may want to assess your competence to practise as a registered nurse in New Zealand. This includes passing a theoretical exam and a clinical exam.

The theoretical exam assesses the nursing knowledge of IQNs and is conducted online. It is conducted at an accredited exam centre, either in New Zealand or overseas. The clinical exam, known as the Objective Structured Clinical Examination, has to be taken after a two-day orientation and preparation course. The duration of the clinical exam is three hours. It is important to note that the clinical exam, and orientation and preparation course must be taken in person and at an accredited centre in New Zealand.

Internationally Qualified Nurses whose nursing education, which led to their registration, was completed in the UK, Ireland, Ontario, British Columbia, Singapore or the USA may be exempted from the above competence exams. However, the decision to exempt is taken by the NCNZ after reviewing every applicant’s documents.

For detailed information about registering as an Internationally Qualified Nurse in New Zealand, we highly recommend visiting the official website of NCNZ.

Under the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Act 1997, nurses with a current registration and a current practising certificate in Australia do not have to follow the above steps to receive a nursing registration in New Zealand.

Fees and Processing Time

The registration process includes multiple fees associated with different steps. The NCNZ fee for processing the application is NZD 485. For verifying and authenticating documents, CGFNS charges USD 380. As discussed earlier, the NCNZ uses an external agency to conduct criminal history checks. This agency, Fit2Work, charges AUS $159 per country you have lived in (for more than 12 months in the last seven years).

If you’ve lived in New Zealand for more than 6 months, you must check the fee charged by the Ministry of Justice New Zealand for a criminal history check. The cost for the theoretical competence exam is NZ $140. You must pay NZ $500 for the orientation and preparation course, and NZ $3000 for the Objective Structured Clinical Examination.

The processing time for an application depends on many factors such as time taken to complete the competency examinations, submitting additional requested documents, and completion of online courses. The NCNZ takes at least five months to process an application not including time taken by the CGFNS for verification and authentication. Also, applicants are given 12 months (from the time of receiving the invitation email) to apply for registration and complete all the registration requirements. Failing to do so will result in the closing of the registration application.

Demand for Nurses in New Zealand in 2025

As mentioned earlier, a career in nursing can help overseas-trained nurses get the Straight to Residence Visa in New Zealand. Registered Nurse (RN) roles included in Tier 1 of the Green List Roles are RN (aged care), RN (child and family health), RN (community health), RN (critical care and emergency), RN (developmental disability), RN (disability and rehabilitation), RN (medical practice), RN (medical), RN (mental health), RN (paediatrics), RN (perioperative), RN (surgical), and registered nurses nec.

According to the NCNZ Quarterly Data Report for September 2024, 38,667 of 83,591 nurses with practising certificates in New Zealand, are Internationally Qualified Nurses. In other words, nearly half (46.25%) of all nurses in New Zealand are IQNs. This shows the demand and opportunities available to overseas-trained nurses in New Zealand.

Salaries of Registered Nurses in New Zealand

Registered Nurses in New Zealand typically earn between NZD 82,000 and NZD 107,000 per year. Senior registered nurses earn between NZD 114,000 and NZD 163,000 annually. Also, Nurse Practitioners can earn between NZD 137,000 and NZD 163,000 annually.

Becoming a registered nurse in New Zealand is a rewarding career with numerous growth opportunities. It’s essential to understand all the requirements to become a practising nurse. If you’ve any queries about nursing in New Zealand, please contact us.

The decision to start a new life in an unfamiliar country brings excitement and anxiety. New Zealand and Canada offer a variety of pathways to gain permanent residency. However, it is important to clearly understand the details of these pathways to avoid potential problems in the future. Both New Zealand and Canada have captivating landscapes, high standard of living, and quality healthcare & education. However, there are several areas where they differ significantly.

Let’s discuss different factors that will help you make an informed decision on whether you should choose New Zealand or Canada for permanent residency.

Permanent Residency Pathways: Canada vs New Zealand

Both countries run several resident visa programs to address the ageing population and shortage of skilled workers in high-demand jobs.

Canada Permanent Residence (PR) Programs

The majority of immigrants coming to Canada apply through Skilled Worker PR programs. There are three main categories within this PR program: Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Program, and Quebec-selected Skilled Workers Program. Some other skilled worker PR programs include the Atlantic Immigration Program and the Agri-food Pilot. Two other notable PR programs include the Start-up Visa Program (for immigrant entrepreneurs) and the Family Sponsorship Program.

It is important to mention here that Canada has recently closed or paused many PR programs such as Rural & Northern Immigration Pilot, Temporary Resident to Permanent Resident Pathway, Out-of-status Construction Workers, most Caregivers Program categories, and Self-employed Program. This reflects how competitive the Canadian job market has become.

New Zealand PR Programs

A resident visa is required to live in New Zealand permanently. There are several types of resident visas in New Zealand. The main pathway for immigrants to gain a resident visa is the Skilled Residence Pathway. It includes visas like the Straight to Residence Visa (direct residency), Work to Residence Visa, Care Workforce Work to Residence Visa, Transport Work to Residence Visa, and Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa. Another popular resident visa for immigrants is the Entrepreneur Resident Visa.

In New Zealand, resident visas differ from the permanent resident visa. Though both types of visas allow you to live, work, study, do business, vote, etc., resident visas have travel conditions that affect travelling outside the country. Permanent resident visas do not have these travel conditions. A Post Study Work Visa is a popular choice among immigrants not directly eligible for Skilled Residence Pathway.

Eligibility Requirements

The pathways to gaining permanent residency have different eligibility criteria. Let’s compare eligibility requirements for famous residency pathways in Canada and New Zealand.

Canada

The Express Entry Pathway has 3 immigration programs: the Canadian Experience Class, the Federal Skilled Worker Program, and the Federal Skilled Trades Program. The first step in the process is to calculate the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score which grants points according to applicants’ type & amount of work experience, language skills, education, age, etc. Then applicants create a profile and submit it to the Express Entry pool. Eligible applicants with the highest CRS scores are then invited to apply for PR.

The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) is the second most popular pathway to permanent residency in Canada. It’s for those immigrants who have the skills, education, and work experience that can fill the labour market gaps existing in different Canadian provinces and territories. Every Province and territory, except Quebec and Nunavut, has its unique PNP. There are several streams in every PNP and you can select a stream that can help you to achieve permanent residency. For a list of all types of permanent residence programs run by the Government of Canada and detailed eligibility requirements for these PR programs, please visit the official website.

New Zealand

As discussed earlier, the Skilled Residence Pathway has several types of resident visas. To apply for the Straight to Residence Visa, an applicant must be working or have a job offer from an accredited New Zealand employer and their role (job) must be enlisted in Tier 1 of the Green List (a list of high-demand jobs in New Zealand). If your role is in Tier 2 of the Green List, and you are working for an accredited New Zealand employer for 24 months in that particular role, and are paid the current median wage at the time of applying, then you can apply for the Work to Residence Visa.

Both, the Care Workforce Work to Resident Visa and the Transport Work to Residence Visa require an applicant to be working or have a job offer from an accredited employer, have 24 months of experience in New Zealand in an approved role, received more than a specific wage rate during these 24 months, and meet some additional eligibility requirements. The Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa requires an applicant to have a skilled job or a skilled job offer from an accredited employer and 6 points. These 6 points are accumulated using New Zealand registration in a particular occupation, education, paid wage, and years of skilled work in New Zealand.

Please understand this is only an overview and not a complete list of eligibility requirements. For a list of all types of resident visas and detailed eligibility requirements for these visas, please visit the official website of Immigration New Zealand.

Processing Times

It is important to keep in mind that different residency programs have different processing times and some might take several months. Let’s look at processing times for popular residency programs in Canada and New Zealand.

Canada

For the Express Entry categories, the average processing time is around 6 months. The processing time for the Provincial Nominee Program through Express Entry process is approximately 6 months and the PNP through Non-Express Entry process is around 20 months. For the Start-up Visa program, the processing time is close to 39 months.

New Zealand

As mentioned earlier, resident visas and the permanent resident visa differ slightly in New Zealand. For a Permanent Resident Visa in New Zealand, the processing time is only one week in most cases. For other resident visas like Straight to Residence Visa, Work to Residence Visa, and Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa, the processing time is usually 4 months in most cases.

Cost of Application

For PR applications under Express Entry in Canada, the cost is $CAN 1525 for the main applicant, $CAN 1525 for the spouse, and $CAN 260 for every dependent child. The fee for PNP under both Express & Non-Express Processes is $CAN 1525. For the Start-up Visa program, the application fee is $CAN 2385.

For a Permanent Resident Visa application in New Zealand, it costs NZD $315. The application cost for other resident visas like Straight to Residence Visa, Work to Residence Visa, and Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa is NZD $6450.

Job Opportunities

Irrespective of which country you choose to start a new life, it’s imperative to do meticulous research on its job market. High-demand jobs in Canada right now are in healthcare, retail, hospitality, transport, teaching, and professional, scientific, & technical services. In New Zealand, high-demand jobs are in Healthcare, IT, accommodation & food services, business services, retail, education, construction, and engineering. The Green List (Roles) provides a comprehensive list of high-demand jobs in New Zealand.

According to the Royal Bank of Canada, the unemployment rate in Canada can breach the 7% mark in 2025. Also, the total number of job openings has decreased alarmingly by 25% when compared to last year. As pointed out earlier, a lot of PR programs in Canada are closed or paused as of now. For comparison, the unemployment rate in New Zealand for the September 2024 quarter was 4.8%.

Healthcare Access

The quality of healthcare is quite good in Canada and New Zealand. Canada provides publicly funded health care to all its residents. Every province and territory has its health care insurance plan. In New Zealand, health care is free or subsidized for citizens, residents, and work visa holders (visa valid for at least 2 years). However, the healthcare sector in both countries is grappling with common problems like long wait times for medical procedures and a shortage of healthcare providers.

Cost of Living

Cost of living is a big factor whether you’re moving within a country or to a different country. Generally, the cost of living in Canada is higher than in New Zealand. Housing, childcare, groceries, utilities, and eating out are cheaper in New Zealand than in Canada. However, transportation and clothing costs are higher in New Zealand.

Pathway to Citizenship

The next logical step after gaining permanent residency is applying for citizenship. In Canada, you can become a citizen if you’re a permanent resident, have lived in Canada for at least 1095 days during the 5 years before the date of citizenship application, have filed taxes (if applicable), have proven language skills, passed the citizenship test, and have taken the oath of citizenship.

In New Zealand, there are three main requirements you need to meet before you apply for citizenship: Presence in New Zealand requirement (any conditions on your resident visa must be met or cancelled, you’ve spent at least 240 days in each 12-month period plus 1350 days in the 5 years before the date of citizenship application, and you intend to keep living in New Zealand), language requirements, and character requirements.

Please note that there are more eligibility requirements that you must meet before applying for citizenship. For the complete list of eligibility requirements for citizenship in Canada, please check the official immigration website of Canada and Government of New Zealand website.

Moving to a new country to build a new life is a big decision. Whether you’re looking for a resident visa in New Zealand or Canada, it is essential to do comprehensive research about which visa type is best for you and its eligibility requirements, processing time & cost of the visa, state of the job market in the country, and cost of living in the province or region you are choosing. If you have any queries regarding resident visas in New Zealand, please contact us.