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    Tag: Immigration NZ News

    INZ Refunding Levies and Fees For Visa Applications That Cannot Be Approved

    Posted on by admin

    The Minister of Immigration has decided to lapse visa applications that cannot be approved due to the ongoing border restrictions. Immigration New Zealand (INZ) will refund application fees and levies for people who applied for a temporary visa from outside New Zealand before or after 10 August 2020.

    Immigration New Zealand currently has about 50,000 temporary visa applications on hand that will be refunded mainly visitor, student and work visa applications.

    Applications excluded from lapsing and refunding are:

     

    • Applications made from a COVID-19 quarantine free travel zone where you have notified INZ in writing before 30 June 2021 that you are still in a COVID-19 quarantine free travel zone, and want your application to be processed.
    • Applications based on a relationship (partner or dependent children) to a New Zealand citizen, residence class visa holder or temporary visa holder.
    • Work visa applications under any of the following categories: Post-study work, Work to Residence, Entrepreneur Work Visa Category and Global Impact Visa Categories.
    • An application for a work visa to arrange the transfer to, and investment of funds in, New Zealand after your application for residence under the Investor 1 or Investor 2 Category has been approved in principle.
    • Applications based on a relationship (partner or dependent children) to a principal applicant with a temporary visa application that is listed above.

    Applicants already in New Zealand whose existing temporary visa was automatically extended by special direction will be contacted by INZ. They can choose to withdraw or proceed with their application.

    The affected visa applicants do not have to ask for a refund as INZ will email them or their representative over the next few months when their refund is being processed.

    For applications submitted and paid online, the credit card used will be refunded. If a third party has made the payment on the applicant’s behalf (such as a Licensed Immigration Adviser), it is the applicant & representative’s responsibility to arrange reimbursement of the refund as INZ will not mediate between them. In some cases, INZ may need the refund request form to be completed to make sure the refund is given to the correct bank account.

    Future applications will not be affected by this.

    If you have any queries or would need more clarification regarding this, please contact please contact Immigration Advisers New Zealand Ltd by sending an email at contact@nzimmigration.info or call us on +64 09 3790219.

    For reference link – Click here

    Temporary Work Visa Transition Information For Employers

    Posted on by admin

    With effect from 1 November 2021, a single Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) replaces the following six temporary work visas:

    • Essential Skills Work Visa
    • Essential Skills Work Visa — approved in principle
    • Talent (Accredited Employer) Work Visa
    • Long Term Skill Shortage List Work Visa
    • Silver Fern Job Search Visa (closed 7 October 2019)
    • Silver Fern Practical Experience Visa

    Effect On Employers Hiring Migrants

    As a precursor to the new Accredited Employer Work Visa policy, three of the existing accreditation and approval in principle policies stand non-effective from 30 June 2021. The three policies declared non-effective from 30 June 2021 are:

    • Accredited Employer (Talent- Accredited Employer)
    • Approval in Principle (Essential Skills)
    • Labour Hire Accreditation (Essential Skills)

    As evident, those employers unable to apply for a new status or renew a current status under these policies will no longer be able to do so from 30 June 2021.

    Effect On Migrant Employees

    Until 31 October 2021, Migrants will be able to apply for temporary work visas, like Essential Skills and Talent (Accredited Employer) Work to Residence visa. Thereafter, Accredited Employer Work Visa will have to be applied for.

    Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) Application Process

    The new AEWV application process will be a three-step employer-led process. Before hiring a migrant on the AEWV employers form 01 November 2021 onwards will need to:

    • Have accreditation under the new system.
    • Apply for a job check to New Zealanders availability.
    • Request a migrant worker to apply for a visa.

    As part of the job check, the migrant will need to meet the skills and experience stipulated by the employer for the role.

    Just So That You Know

    • Employers will be able to hire migrants under the Essential Skills visa category without accreditation or approval in principle, up until 31 October 2021.
    • Employers who already employ a migrant on a temporary work visa don’t need to keep their accreditation active for the duration of the migrant’s visa.

    Important Timelines To Remember

    Employers who depend on the migrant workforce in their business must be mindful of important timelines in the interest of their employees.

    To be able to use one of these employer accreditation or approval in principle policies between now and 31 October 2021, holding appropriate status is critical e.g

    • If your current status is due to expire between now and 31 October 2021, and you want to use it over this time, you must apply to renew this by 30 June 2021.
    • If your status isn’t due to expire before 31 October 2021, you don’t need to do anything at this time.
    • New applications must be submitted by 30 June 2021. As long as they are submitted by this date, they will continue to be processed.

    Additional Information For Migrants

    • The changes to accredited employer work visas will not affect other work visas holders under this new regime.
    • Migrants who have a Work to Residence visa can still apply for residence after 31 October 2021.
    • Migrants who have a current temporary work visa will not be affected by these changes as long as they meet their visa conditions and their visa remains valid.

    Temporary Work Visas Not Affected Under New Policy

    • Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) Limited Visa
    • Working holiday schemes
    • Post-study Work Visa
    • Fishing Crew Work Visa
    • Religious Worker Work Visa
    • Specific Purpose Work Visa
    • Partnership work visas including Partner of a Worker Work Visa, Partner of a New Zealander Work Visa, and a Partner of a Student Work Visa.
    • Work visas granted for international or humanitarian reasons, such as domestic staff of diplomats, consular and official staff, and for refugee or protection status claimants.

    Conclusion

    • Employers will be able to apply for accreditation from late September, ahead of the 1 November 2021 introduction date.
    • Employers don’t need to be accredited in the new system by 1 November 2021 if they do not plan to start hiring migrants on AEWVs at this time.
    • Employers only need to be accredited under the new system to start hiring migrants on AEWVs.
    • Employers who want to start hiring migrants on AEWVs soon after 1 November 2021 should consider applying during the pre-accreditation period.
    • Businesses employing migrants who hold a current talent or essential skill visa don’t need to become accredited until they want to hire someone on the new visa.

    If you have any queries regarding any of the temporary work visa, please contact us. Our team of experienced Licenced Immigration Advisers is here to assist you with all your immigration-related

    queries and confusions; please contact us by sending an email at contact@nzimmigration.info or call us on +64 09 3790219

    Ref: Click here

     

    Current Partnership-Based Visa Instruction for The Partners of New Zealand Citizens and Residents When The Borders are Closed

    Posted on by admin

    New Zealand border restrictions have kept many souls apart and this is a grim situation for the couples. But the situation is getting better for the couples staying miles apart because New Zealand borders are re-opened to those who are planning to reunite with their offshore partners. Hence, a celebratory moment for the ones who are living away from their families.

    Eligibility Criteria

    Immigration New Zealand instruction states that you may be eligible for the partnership-based visa if

    • your New Zealand partner is eligible to support your application; and
    • you and your partner are living together in a genuine and stable relationship; and
    • your partnership meets the Immigration NZ’s minimum requirement for the recognition of partnership; and
    • health and character requirements are met.

    Partnership- based Visa categories

    Culturally Arrange marriage – Temporary visitor visa

    This category is for those who have married overseas to a New Zealand citizen or resident but were not able to live together after marriage due to work commitments. You must apply under this category within 3 months from the date of your wedding. To be eligible for this visa you must be able to demonstrate that the marriage follows an identified & recognized cultural tradition. You are also required to provide verifiable documentary evidence to show that you have a genuine intent to live together in a stable relationship.

    Partner of New Zealander – Temporary Visitor or work visa

    This requires you and your New Zealander partner to be living together in a genuine and stable relationship. You are required to provide verifiable documentary evidence to show that you meet the living together requirement. Based on the duration of your relationship/living together, you would be eligible for a visitor or work visa.

    Partner of New Zealander – Resident Visa (Onshore and offshore applicants)

    This requires you and your New Zealand partner to be living together in a genuine and stable relationship for at least twelve months at the time of lodgement of your application. You are required to provide documentary evidence for a minimum of 12 months to show that you meet the living together requirement.

    Critical Purpose Visitor Visa (Border exemption) Offshore applicants

    As per the criteria, citizens of ‘visa waiver’ countries are mandated to meet few policies, including living together in genuine and stable relationship criteria. For the ‘non-visa waiver’ countries the applicants should be ordinarily resident in New Zealand or traveling with their New Zealand partners.

    Common Factors considered by Immigration Officers

    ● Genuineness of the relationship
    ● Duration and stability of the relationship
    ● Financial dependence/interdependence
    ● Future commitment towards the relationship
    ● Children together and their care-taking arrangements
    ● Public recognition of the relationship
    ● Intentions for entering into the relationship
    ● Commitment to a shared life

    The most common reason for not receiving a partnership visa

    • INZ is not satisfied that you are in a genuine and stable relationship with a New Zealand citizen/resident.
    • There are outstanding Bona fides/Character issues/Health issues.

    These situations demand a well-skilled and informed expert who can assure your visa approval and this calls for experts’ assistance. Our team of experienced licensed immigration advisers is here to assist you with all your immigration-related queries and confusions, please contact Immigration Advisers New Zealand Ltd by sending an email at contact@nzimmigration.info or call us on +64 09 3790219

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