Category: Blog

Due to closed borders during the pandemic, some visa categories had been suspended by the New Zealand government. This resulted in massive labour shortages.

To address the labour shortage and reconnect New Zealand with the world, the government has decided to now open two visa categories that will enable migrants to become residents.

On 12 October 2022, Immigration Minister Michael Wood announced the reopening of the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) and Parents Residence category. Selections of expressions of interest (EOIs) will resume on 9 November 2022.

The long-term direction of the SMC is being reviewed, and there may be changes in the future. The changes will incorporate the Green List, which provides various pathways to the residence in New Zealand.

Skilled Migrant Category (SMC)

The aim of resuming the SMC visa is to attract more migrant workers. Selections of the EOIs for the SMC Resident Visa will recommence on 9 November 2022. Initially, the EOI selection will be for 160 points & above. From 18 January 2023, EOIs will need at least 180 points to be selected.

The SMC visa provides a pathway to the residence and thus helps retain much-needed skills in New Zealand permanently.

Previously, due to a planning range, the number of applications was restricted. For example: In 2019, only 4% of SMC applications were processed. One of the proposed changes is to remove the planning range to enable the processing of all applications that meet the criteria.

The plan is to have a simplified points system with a fair & transparent eligibility threshold.

The proposed changes will enable highly skilled migrants a faster pathway to residence. It will benefit university lecturers & scientists who hold a PhD. Other professionals like teachers and registered tradespeople will have a clear route if they work for a certain period in New Zealand.

The two main advantages of the new system are that processing time will improve and there will be no cap limit on the number of people who can gain residence each year, that is if they meet the skills threshold.

Parent Category Visa

In 2020, a promise was made by the government to reduce the obstructions to accessing the Parent Category Visa, increase the number of visas granted each year under this category and reduce the income thresholds.

The Parent Resident Visa reopens on 12 October 2022 with reduced requirements for sponsors. It will now have a lower income threshold for sponsors of 1.5 times the median wage supporting one parent and 2 times the median wage for joint sponsors. Previously, the threshold was 2 times the median wage for a single sponsor and 3 times the median wage for joint sponsors.

Also, a new ballot system has been introduced. New EOIs, instead of being added to the existing queue, will go into a ballot. This will help reduce lengthy queues, and applicants will be eligible for selection within two years of the EOI submission.

Immigration New Zealand will resume selection from existing EOIs from 14 November 2022.

The number of Parent Resident Visas granted yearly is set to increase from 1000 to 2500. Furthermore, an additional 500 visas will be granted from the ballot, for which the EOI selection will start in August 2023.

Get in touch with Immigration Advisors New Zealand Ltd, which provides up-to-date immigration information so you can consider opportunities and prepare yourself for the future. To know all the required procedures, contact us at contact@nzimmigration.info or call on +64 09 3790219.

Source: Link 1    Link 2   Link 3

Pursuing a study pathway, or a career thereafter and then settling abroad is a dream to many but only achievable by a few. The main hurdle faced is to get in touch with an adviser to have the right set of knowledge and guidance. While many of us across the globe aim to settle in the USA, Canada, or Australia, New Zealand has emerged as a pathway to building a life abroad that has a tremendous work-life balance. New Zealand is a country where one is provided an option for embarking on a journey that culminates in getting a residence visa by meeting the eligibility for a Green List occupation.

What is the Green List?

The Green List is a table of a limited number of highly skilled roles which are in high demand in New Zealand. People who opt for such roles and occupations are much appreciated by New Zealand employers as they always look out for skilled migrants who meet the eligibility for these Green List jobs.

To secure a job on the Green List  a skilled migrant professional needs to meet the stipulated eligibility criteria of qualification/skills/registration/experience as listed in the immigration instructions of the New Zealand government.  Moreover, Tier 1 Green List roles allow applicants to apply straight for a residence visa in New Zealand.

Green List Occupations

The occupations that come under Green List are as follows –

Construction Roles – The jobs tailored to Engineering, Project Management, and Quality Surveyor are high in demand in New Zealand.

Engineering Roles – Civil, Chemical, Structural, Electrical, Electronics, Mechanical, Telecommunications, and Industrial are some of the core engineering domains that come under the Green List.

Science Roles & Primary Industries – New Zealand is in dire requirement of researchers in Food Technology, Environmental Science, etc. Researchers who belong to these domains and wish to settle in New Zealand can opt for these roles.

Health and Social Service Sector – Medical Practitioners like Surgeons, Psychologists, Vets, Registered Nurses, ECE, and Secondary Teachers can have great career prospects in New Zealand as these jobs are highly essential, and the country requires skilled professionals for such critical services.

Agriculture – People with experience in Diary Industry can leverage their experience and start a new professional in New Zealand. Dairy Cattle Farmers, Dairy Farm managers are some of the roles with decent job openings in New Zealand.

Trades – The number of skilled electricians, diesel motor mechanics, electricians, and plumbers is less in New Zealand. People associated with these professionals can try to build their careers in New Zealand.

This is not all, many other jobs can pave your way to a Green List profession. Get in touch with Immigration Advisors New Zealand Ltd. and get comprehensive support in terms of thorough immigration information, insights on available opportunities, and more.

Contact us today at contact@nzimmigration.info or call on +64093790219

New Zealand is a popular study-abroad destination because of its scenic beauty and top-ranking universities offering various interesting courses. Most international students want to gain work experience in New Zealand once their study programme is completed.

What is the New Zealand Post Study Work Visa

The NZ Post Study Work Visa allows students to work in the country after completing their studies. It is designed to support the attraction of international students in courses that deliver the skills needed in New Zealand’s growing economy.

Student Visa applications lodged on or before 11 May 2022

Previously, the Post Study Work Visa NZ allowed these students to work in any role, for any employer, anywhere in New Zealand. The duration of the visa was up to 3 years.

However, things have now changed. The Post Study Work Visa New Zealand will now depend on the qualification studied and the time spent studying in New Zealand.

Student Visa applications lodged after 11 May 2022

For these students, the post study duration will be equal to the time spent studying full-time in New Zealand.

• Masters (Level 9) & doctoral (Level 10) students:

They will continue to have will be eligible for 3 years open work visa i.e., they can work in any role and for any employer.

• Students pursuing degree Level 7 (Bachelor’s) and level 8:

These students will have to spend at least 30 weeks studying full-time in New Zealand and the visa duration will depend on the length of time spent studying in New Zealand.

The advantages are that these students can do consecutive courses to get a longer duration NZ Post Study Work Visa. Also, they will have open work rights allowing them to work in a role that is not in line with their qualification.

• Students pursuing non-degree Level 7 and below:

These students must complete their full qualification from New Zealand. Also, the qualification studies must be on the List of Qualifications Eligible for a Post Study Work Visa.

Unfortunately, these students cannot extend the duration of their Post Study Work Visa NZ by doing consecutive courses. Bear in mind that they must also work in a role that is directly related to their qualification.

Funds

Anyone applying for a Post Study Work Visa NZ must show that they have NZD 5,000 as available funds

Partners & dependents of New Zealand Post Study Work Visa holders

NZ Post Study Work Visa holders can bring their partners & dependent children to New Zealand. One of the most frequently asked questions is if partners of NZ Post Study Work Visa holders can apply for a work visa.

Partners can apply for a visitor visa or an open work visa. Dependents can apply for a visitor visa. They can also study fee-free as domestic students in New Zealand.

If you want to bring your partner/ children to New Zealand then please provide your details by clicking here and we will help you with a partnership-based / dependent child visa.

Benefits of the changes made to the New Zealand Post Study Work Visa requirements

The changes to the NZ Post Study Work Visa requirements will give certainty to international students studying advanced qualifications. It will also align better with New Zealand’s skills & workforce needs.

The Government’s aim is to fill the skills shortages in New Zealand and have a higher productivity, higher-wage economy.

Gaining international work experience is beneficial in laying the foundation of a strong & bright career.

Get in touch with Immigration Advisors New Zealand Ltd, which provides up-to-date immigration information so you can consider opportunities and prepare yourself for the future. To know all the required procedures, contact us at contact@nzimmigration.info or call on +64 09 3790219.

Sources:  Link 1      Link 2     Link 3

Most international students coming to New Zealand want to work after completing their studies to gain practical overseas work experience. The New Zealand Post Study Work Visa (PSWV) allows some international students to work in New Zealand after completing their studies.

Depending on the level of studies and the time the student has spent in New Zealand studying that course, Post Study Work Visa can allow work entitlement to international students for up to 3 years.

If you have applied for a Student Visa on or after 12 May 2022, you may qualify for a Post Study Work Visa under one of the following:

• if you have completed a Master’s degree or above, you may be granted a three years post-study work visa. This visa will allow you to work for any employer in any role.
• if you have completed a degree level 7 (Bachelor’s degree) or above qualification, you may be granted a post-study work visa equivalent to the duration of the course completed in New Zealand. You can work for any employer in any role.
• If you complete a qualification at non-degree level 7 or below, you may be granted a post-study work visa only if the qualification is eligible for a Post Study Work Visa. The duration of the visa will be the same as the time spent in New Zealand to obtain the qualification, and you will be required to work in a role that is related to your qualification.

The list of Qualifications Eligible for a Post Study Work Visa contains twenty-one qualifications in construction and quantity surveying, highway engineering, electrical engineering, teaching and dairy farming.  The list has seven level 4 and 5 diplomas, eight-level 6 diplomas and six level 7 diplomas. A full list of these qualifications can be found here

Those who have applied for a Student Visa on or before 11 May 2022 are eligible for a Post Study Work Visa under the previous settings as long as the application for a post-study work visa was lodged before 11 May 2025.

Acceptable qualifications for a Post Study Work Visa before 12 May 2022 can be found here

Get in touch with Immigration Advisors New Zealand Ltd, for up-to-date immigration information so you can consider the range of opportunities available and prepare yourself for the future. To know all the required procedures, contact us at contact@nzimmigration.info  or call +64 09 3790219.

Source: Link 1

The Highly Paid Residence Visa category was introduced by Immigration New Zealand as a way of attracting highly skilled migrant workers to New Zealand.

This category is for those migrant workers who earn more than twice the median wage. To be eligible under this category, a migrant is required to have worked for 24 months.

The acceptable work experience will be counted from 29 September 2021. An applicant should show 24 months of work experience within 30 months before the visa application is submitted.

There can be small breaks in your employment. But you must still show you worked for the required 24 months within the 30 months before your visa application date. You can apply for this visa from September 2023.

To be eligible for the Highly Paid Residence Visa category, an applicant must have employment or an offer of employment from an accredited employer in a role that pays at least twice the median wage, that is, NZ $55.52 per hour.

In addition to the above, several general application requirements for this category are listed below.

The applicant must:

1. be aged 55 or younger.
2. meet the English language requirement.
3. meet the health and character requirements for residence.

If you meet the above requirements, you may be eligible for Residence under the Highly Paid Skilled category. This is a great opportunity as it enables you to reside permanently in New Zealand.

As this is a new application process, it is advisable to seek the assistance of an experienced Licensed Immigration Adviser to avoid disappointments due to a lack of knowledge of the application process.

Get in touch with Immigration Advisors New Zealand Ltd, which provides up-to-date immigration information so you can consider opportunities and prepare yourself for the future. To know all the required procedures, contact us at contact@nzimmigration.info or call +64 09 3790219.

The Green List is a new list of occupations that qualify for a New Zealand residency pathway. It is shorter and more focused than the old Regional Skills Shortage List. Many (but not all) of the roles on the Long-Term Skills Shortage List are also on the Green List.

To qualify for a work visa under the Green List, an overseas applicant must have a job offer that matches that occupation’s description or requirements and prove that their overseas qualification meets the comparable New Zealand qualification standard for their occupation.

The Green List will make it easier for employers to hire and attract migrants for specified high-skilled, hard-to-fill occupations, with guaranteed residence pathways for eligible people.

Employers won’t need to provide proof of advertising for Green List occupations when progressing an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) job check application.

The Green List is about making it easier to attract globally in-demand workers, but it is not the only pathway to residence available. Other employers will still be able to access skilled migrants, and many will also have a path to NZ residence through the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC).

Get in touch with Immigration Advisors New Zealand Ltd, which provides up-to-date immigration information so you can consider opportunities and prepare yourself for the future. To know all the required procedures, contact us at contact@nzimmigration.info  or call on +64 09 3790219.

What is the Green List

The Green List is a list of a limited number of highly skilled roles that are in shortage in New Zealand. The list makes it easier for NZ employers to attract & hire migrants in highly skilled & hard to fill roles.

How to apply for NZ Green List Roles

To be eligible and apply, you must be employed by, or hold the offer of a Green List role from, an accredited employer in New Zealand. Once eligible, you can apply in New Zealand or come on a work visa and apply. You can also apply from outside of New Zealand.

Eligible migrants working in Green List occupations will have clear pathways to residence, either through a direct-to-residence application or after working in New Zealand, depending on the role. Their partners will have open work rights. Both residence pathways will be limited to migrants 55 years or younger, which is aligned with the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) requirements.

The details of eligibility criteria that you must know before you apply for the straight to residence, work to residence and highly paid skilled residence categories are as under:

Fast-Tracked ‘Straight to Residence’ Pathway

To be eligible for this residence visa, you must be employed by, or hold a job offer from, an accredited employer.

• Your role must be on Tier 1 of the Green List
• You must meet the specified requirements on the list for your role
• Your role must be full-time (at least 30 hours a week), genuine, and permanent, or be at least a 12-month fixed-term contract.

Under certain circumstances, independent contractors are also eligible. To be eligible under the Straight to Residence pathway as a contractor, you must meet requirements such as our contract or contracts for services totaling at least six months. Shorter contracts must be consecutive without any breaks between them.

Work to Residence Pathway

To be eligible for this residence visa, you must:

• Be employed in a role on Tier 2 of the Green List or hold an offer of employment
• Meet the specified requirements on the list for the role
• Have worked for 24 months in New Zealand in a role (and meet the specified requirements) on Tier 2 of the Green List.
• Your employer must be accredited when you apply for this visa.

The employment or offer must be full-time (at least 30 hours a week), genuine, and permanent, or at least a 12-month fixed-term contract.

Highly Paid Residence Visa

To be eligible for this residence visa, you must have:

• Employment or an offer of employment in a role that is paid at least twice the median wage (currently NZD 55.52 an hour)
• Been working for 24 months in New Zealand in a role that paid at least twice the median wage.
• Your employer must also be accredited when you apply for this visa.

General Requirements

There are some general application requirements too. These are that on the date you apply for your residence visa:

• you are aged 55 or younger
• you, and if applicable, your partner, and dependent children aged 16 or over, meet the English language requirements
• You, your partner, and the dependent children in your application meet health and character requirements for residence.

Suppose you hold an Accredited Employer Work Visa or another type of work visa. In that case, you (and any family, if applicable) still need to meet the health and character requirements for residence. These are different from the requirements for temporary work visas. In addition, at the time you apply, you must be working for an accredited employer.

Get in touch with Immigration Advisors New Zealand Ltd, which provides up-to-date immigration information so you can consider opportunities and prepare yourself for the future. To know all the required procedures, contact us at contact@nzimmigration.info  or call on +64 09 3790219.

New Zealand is one of the most popular study-abroad destinations. It has multiple universities & educational institutes that offer a variety of courses.

We have covered here the First Time Student Visa Checklist, which is designed for people applying for a NZ student visa for the first time as international students.

Submitting the right documents/ information is crucial for obtaining this visa. Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has a checklist for those applying for a student visa for the first time as an international student. Once you have an offer of a place from a university/ institute, it is time to apply for a Student Visa.

Main Requirements:

Evidence of Funds

A student must demonstrate that they have sufficient funds for tuition fees and NZD 20,000 per year for living expenses like food, accommodation, transportation, and utility bills – gas, water, electricity, mobile, internet, etc.

Students must provide evidence that they have paid the fees for the first year and a payment plan with evidence for fee payment for the remaining course duration, if applicable.

You can provide evidence of funds held by you or by someone else on your behalf, a financial undertaking from a non-New Zealander, evidence of being awarded a scholarship, or a sponsorship undertaking from an NZ citizen/resident/ organization.

Bank statements from the past three months and education loan letters from nationalized or multi-national banks are usually accepted by INZ.

Gold loans, funds held by the Post Office co-operative societies, chit funds, bonds, property sales & agricultural income, etc. are usually difficult to verify and not readily acceptable by INZ.

For more detailed information on the evidence of funds required to study in New Zealand, please click here.

Cover Letter/ Statement of Purpose

Provide a supporting letter outlining your study plans, future plans, reasons for selecting the course and educational provider, education history, explaining payment plans and gap years.

Other Documents

The basic requirements are an offer of place from a New Zealand education provider and a full current passport copy. You may also need to provide a chest x-ray, a medical certificate, or a police clearance certificate, depending on the length of your stay and the country you are from.

Previous visa decline letters and/or evidence of any adverse immigration history must be provided/ declared as well. Don’t forget to include your academic documents & transcripts. Evidence of payment of tuition fees is also required.

Please contact us if you need assistance with your student visa application. We can assist with course selection, institute options, and visa application.

Get in touch with Immigration Advisors New Zealand Ltd, which provides up-to-date immigration information so you can consider opportunities and prepare yourself for the future. To know all the required procedures, contact us at contact@nzimmigration.info  or call on +64 09 3790219.

Source: Link 1   Link 2

Migrants paid less than the median wage of $27.76 per hour are not eligible to apply for the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) unless exempt.

However, if a New Zealand employer wants to hire migrants and the role is on the exempt list of Immigration New Zealand (INZ_ then the employer can pay less than the median wage to the employee. Although even when paying less than the median wage threshold employer must meet the following threshold in each of the respective workforce sectors:

• The specific construction, infrastructure, tourism and hospitality jobs must pay at least NZD $25 an hour. These roles are only exempt from paying the median wage threshold until April 2023.
• Specific jobs in the care workforce sector must pay at least NZD $25.39 an hour.

Employers must remember that the job check approval from INZ after the labour market check is still compulsory.

Stand Down Period

When a visa is granted in the above two circumstances, an AEWV holder can hold the AEWV for two years before completing a stand-down for 12 consecutive months outside New Zealand, when they can get another AEWV for two years. The employee then can apply for another visa for a job paid above the median wage without having to complete a stand-down period.

New Zealand employers are now beginning to see the merit in taking assistance from professionals like Immigration Advisers New Zealand Ltd to submit decision-ready applications to focus on their respective businesses.

All three stages of the new Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) policy are now active, with applications open for employer accreditation, job checks, and work visas.

As has been informed by Immigration New Zealand (INZ) through multiple platforms, the AEWV policy is an employer-led work visa approach, which is new to employers and requires a different approach to the hiring process. Therefore, New Zealand employers must learn how to navigate the new AEWV policy and know how the visa officers now process the new visa category.

This article aims to make our clients aware and lessen their frustration with the new policy, especially when the current labour market situation is unprecedented by way of shortages.

While the first stage of the new policy involving employer accreditation seems to be working well, the second and third stages present a challenge to the processing. INZ officers have identified and conveyed some omissions and errors in the submitted applications, which in turn are impacting quick decision-making at their end.

Potential Pitfalls in Job Check Applications

Briefly speaking, at the job check stage, applicants are missing out on certain critical information in two of the essential assessment submissions:

• Advertisement: After checking if you are required to advertise, you must advertise for at least two weeks. The advertisement should not be more than 90 days old and must cover the job description, pay range, location, work hours, skills, qualifications, and experience where needed. Use ANZSCO that best matches the job you are offering. If you are using the advertisement for multiple roles must ensure that the job details are the same and covered by the same advertising and employment agreement. For example, the location, job title, and terms of work would need to be the same; if you are including multiple roles in one job check.
• Employment Agreement: You must double-check clauses in the employment agreement like minimum and maximum hours of work, provisions relating to overtime, and job description. Although the assessing INZ officers are not employment experts, this information is required to demonstrate that the employer’s AEWV policy requirements are being met.

Important Technical Considerations

Suppose an application has been declined, and a decision is yet to be made by INZ on the reconsideration request submitted; an employer cannot use the same approved job to support another AEWV application. The employer, in such cases, must withdraw the employment offer from the applicant, inform INZ and then only use the approved job.

Since it is a new policy, INZ is taking a pragmatic approach, which includes outward calling to employers where further information is needed to help speed up the process and get the information more quickly. However, this approach seems to have increased the decision time at INZ offices.

One of the options that employers are now beginning to see is taking assistance from professionals like Immigration Advisers New Zealand Ltd to submit decision-ready applications.

To hire a migrant worker, a New Zealand employer must get an approved job check from Immigration New Zealand (INZ). An essential part of applying for a job check is the need to advertise available jobs nationally to establish whether any New Zealand workers are available. Examples of job listing websites are SEEK jobs, Trade Me Jobs, MyJobSpace, etc. However, advertising is not required if the job pays at least 200% of the median wage or is on the green list of occupations.

The job advertisement needs to run for at least 14 calendar days and close no later than 90 days before you apply for the job check. New Zealand employers/HR Managers/Recruiters must take note that INZ requires the following in the job advertisements:

• Job title with a brief explanation of the job offered
• Job description with key tasks and responsibility
• Max and Min salary range based on market rate
• Min guaranteed hours of work per week
• Number of positions of the job offered
• Qualification/Skills/Experience needed
• Employment type
  • (permanent/temporary/fixed term)
• Town/city /region of the workplace
• Any other job prerequisites

Multiple vacancies for one job can be included in the same advertisement (if the details are the same) and later submitted as part of one job check application, for example, six machinists in a factory.

Potential Pitfalls in the Job Advertisement

Employment Salary: You must mention the minimum and maximum rates of salary. Ensure that the range included in your job advertisement covers any remuneration threshold you may need to meet at the job check and in AEWV applications. Also, be aware that if you want to recruit a migrant worker, the pay you offer them cannot be higher than the pay you include in the job advertisement. The minimum and maximum rate of pay or salary should be at the market rate and span any applicable wage threshold for hiring a migrant worker into the role. In most cases, a migrant must be paid at least the median wage ($27.76 per hour)

Salary Variation: Include estimated actual earnings where a significant portion of actual earnings are not guaranteed, for example, what piece rates or commission rates are, or what average bonuses are. While these are to be included in the advertisement, do not use earnings that aren’t guaranteed to meet pay thresholds.

Job Prerequisites: Only specify the qualifications, skills and experience required for this job. Don’t enter these as a requirement if they are not needed to do this job. Take care to only include what is necessary to do the specific job on offer.

One option employers are now beginning to see is taking assistance from professionals like Immigration Advisers New Zealand Ltd to submit decision-ready applications.

Link – click here

Partner of a Work Visa holder – what it means

If your partner/spouse has applied for or is already in New Zealand on a temporary type of work visa, a visa based on partnership will enable you to join your partner in New Zealand. However, whether you would be eligible for a partnership based visitor visa or a work visa would depend on the type of work visa your partner holds and/or their income and other such factors. The brief explanations below will give you a good idea what to expect and plan for.

Partner of Worker – Visitor Visa

This visa allows you to be with your partner in New Zealand, it does not allow you to work in the country. You are allowed to tour New Zealand and study for up to 3 months on this visa. The length of stay allowed will be the same as your partner’s work visa.

Partner of Worker – Work Visa

This visa allows you to be with your partner in New Zealand and work at the same time. It is an open work visa so you can work for any employer, in any role. You can also study in New Zealand for up to 3 months. In your free time, you can tour New Zealand and enjoy its scenic beauty. The length of stay allowed will be the same as your partner’s work visa.

Can children be included in the partner of worker visa application?

Children cannot be included in a partner of worker visa application. Dependents must apply for a visa in their own right. Children can apply for a visitor visa or a student visa.

Who is not allowed to support family visa

Some work visa holders are not allowed to support partners/ dependants. You are not allowed to support a work, visitor or student visa for your partner or dependent children if you hold any of the following visas:

• Fishing crew work visa
• Working Holiday Visa
• Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) pr Supplementary Seasonal Employer (SSE) work visas
• Domestic staff of a Diplomat work visa

Partners/Dependents of Accredited Employer Work Visa(AEWV) holders

You can support a work visa for your partner if earning above the median wage. You can support your partner on a visitor visa if earning below the median wage. AEWV holders can support visitor or student visas for dependents if they meet a certain income requirement.

From December 2022 onwards, a work visa holder can only support a visitor visa for the partner. If the partner wishes to work in New Zealand, then they will have to apply for an AEWV in their own right.

Partners/Dependents of workers who are still on Essential Skills Work Visa

The rules for now discontinued Essential Skills Work visa holders are slightly different and whether they are allowed to support work, visitor or student visas for their partners and/or children depends on the date of their application lodgement, their income or whether they have been assessed as low skilled, medium skilled or high skilled. Earning above or below the median wage is also a factor in determining whether the worker will be allowed to support a partner and/or children.

Get in touch with Immigration Advisors New Zealand Ltd, which provides up-to-date immigration information so you can consider opportunities and prepare yourself for the future. To know all the required procedures, contact us at contact@nzimmigration.info or call on +64 09 3790219.

Source: Link 1 Link 2 Link 3

Who is a Licensed Immigration Adviser (LIA)?

A Licensed Immigration Adviser (LIA) has specialised expertise in New Zealand immigration matters and is licensed to advise unless explicitly exempt under the Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007.

When is a LIA required?

A visa applicant doesn’t need to engage the services of a Licensed Immigration Adviser but doing so can be highly advantageous. If your case is straightforward, you are confident you are eligible for a New Zealand visa, and you have the required documents and evidence, you may be able to make a successful immigration application without external help. However, it is highly recommended that you seek the help of an immigration adviser if any of the following apply:

You’re not sure if you’re eligible

This is one of the biggest concerns that many of our clients express. For example, if you are unsure if you meet the eligibility requirement, how close you are to meeting it, or even how you can meet it in future, an LIA can advise you. An LIA can also check and let you know if your spouse can become the primary applicant.

Your matter is complex

We deal with the most complex immigration cases, and there is almost nothing we have not handled successfully before.

You have already been declined

If you have already received an unfavourable decision (i.e. a visa decline letter) on your immigration application, you must engage the services of an LIA. Often you will only have a short time to challenge or appeal a decision, and hence hiring an expert in immigration to represent your case will give you the best chance of responding correctly and on time.

You are short of time

If you need to secure a decision quickly, perhaps to start work in New Zealand by a specific date or to join a family member, we will ensure that the time to get a favourable decision is as short as possible. We do this by submitting a decision-ready application with sufficient evidence and information to remove any reason for delay. Also, suppose you have a very busy schedule and don’t have the time to apply. In that case, we can handle the whole process for you – this can be particularly beneficial if your application involves gathering many supporting documents and includes several family members.

You have a poor immigration history

Suppose you have an adverse immigration history (e.g. the previous visa declines, deportation record, banned from entering a country, submitting false or fraudulent documents etc.) or have a criminal background. In that case, an LIA will be able to advise on the best way forward in light of your circumstances.

Your visa type has a high decline rate

Some visa applications have a higher decline rate in INZ than others; even some countries are deemed at higher risk than others by INZ. In addition, the documents checklist available on the INZ website can prove an applicant’s nemesis if not interpreted correctly. Therefore, engaging in an LIA will significantly boost your chances of securing a favourable decision.

Get in touch with Immigration Advisors New Zealand Ltd, which provides accurate and up-to-date immigration information so you can consider options, and opportunities and prepare yourself for the future. To know all the required procedures, contact us at contact@nzimmigration.info  or call +64 09 3790219.

Immigration New Zealand has introduced Accredited Employer Work Visa, which is a three-step process.

A job check is the second step of the process and has been introduced to ensure employment is acceptable (the job pays the market rate, at least 30 hours per week, and the terms and conditions comply with employment laws). It is also to ensure that no suitable New Zealand citizens or residents are available to do the work specified (labour market test).

Job check is the most important aspect of the process as, on approval, you can recruit migrant workers for the positions available in your organisation. Therefore, you must ensure that all mandatory requirements are complete before applying for a job check.

The below listed are required to apply for a job check successfully.

1. The employer must have accreditation to hire employees on an AEWV.
2. An acceptable job offer, employment agreement and job description.
3. Evidence of advertisement where the position is not listed in the Green list or paid less than twice the median wage.
4. The Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) code best matched the position offered.

The employer should advertise the position on a national platform for two weeks, and the advertisement should list the below essential factors:

• Position offered.
• Job description.
• Explicit pay rate.
• Minimum guaranteed hours.
• Details of the qualification and
• Work experience required for the position.

Jobs paying 200 % of the median wage do not need a labour market test. Jobs paying at or above the median wage in regions also do not need a labour market test. In cities, jobs that are on a skills shortage list and pay at, or above, the median wage don’t need a labour market test.

You can only hire a migrant worker if the job check is passed. Please note that employers pay for a job check.

Considering the complexities involved in the job check it is sensible to obtain the services of an experienced Licensed Immigration Adviser. An adviser could advise on all matters that are not common knowledge, such as the correct ANZSCO code, experience and qualification requirements for a particular position and such. This is essential to get a positive outcome on your application.

Due to the closure of New Zealand’s border, Immigration New Zealand (INZ) could not process most categories of visa applications until now.

Therefore, given the time that has passed, INZ requires information about any changes in circumstances that may have taken place.

Please be aware you are legally obliged to tell INZ about any changes to your circumstances that may affect the decision on your visa application. If you do not, INZ may decline your application.

If the information relevant to your application’s decision is withheld from INZ, you may later become liable for deportation. Therefore, failure to comply with the obligation set out in immigration instruction E4.75 (c) amounts to the concealment of relevant information.

A few examples of change in circumstances are as under:

• Had or currently have tuberculosis
• A medical condition related to Renal dialysis, Hospital care, Residential care
• Pregnancy
• Conviction on accord of any offence
• If under investigation, wanted for questioning or facing charges
• Have been excluded, refused entry, removed or deported from any country
• Have been refused a visa/permit to visit, work, study or reside in any country
• Change of partnership status
• Change of employment circumstances

Multiple factors affect the outcome of a visa application. However, interpreting and deciding based on your understanding of complex immigration instructions leaves room for error and may get the application rejected.

Get in touch with Immigration Advisors New Zealand Ltd; we stand ready to represent your best interests, protect your lawful status, and help you make sound immigration decisions at every stage of the immigration process. You can contact us at contact@nzimmigration.info  or call on +64 09 3790219.