Migration News - Visa news and information to assist you to migrate to New Zealand.

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New Zealand Immigration Regulations... at a glance

Do I qualify for immigration to New Zealand? Which class should I apply under? What conditions do I need to satisfy? Well, the New Zealand immigration system is quite complicated but here is a brief summary.

Essentially, there are five main ways to immigrate. The usual categories for permanent residence classes are: Skilled Migrant, Family, Business, and Family Quota. The other option is to apply for a temporary visa.

Skilled Migrant Category

Applying under skill categories has always been the most popular visa class for permanent residency in New Zealand. All applicants for this visa class must be under 56 years of age and are required to meet a minimum of 100 points and meet the health, character and English language prerequisite before an Expression of Interest can be lodged with Immigration New Zealand.

Points are awarded for an offer of employment in New Zealand, work experience, qualifications and age. Bonus points are available for employment in areas of identified future growth, cluster or absolute skill shortages. Bonus points are also available for employment outside Auckland and for New Zealand qualifications. If you would like to find out the current points threshold please click here.

Expressions of Interest are pooled and then ranked by Immigration New Zealand according to specific selection criteria. Those applications that meet the selected criteria will be selected in sufficient numbers to meet the places available and will be invited to lodge an Application for Residence in New Zealand. It is not on a first in, first served basis. Applicants will then need to send all the necessary documents to support the claims made in their Expression of Interest.

The key to success under this class is meeting the prerequisites as outlined above AND arranging a relevant, valid skilled job offer in New Zealand. Recent changes to the SMC policy now mean that applicants with skilled jobs in New Zealand or an offer of skilled employment prior to applying have a greater likelihood of being selected and invited to apply for residence. Applicants are strongly advised to engage the services of a recognised migration consultancy with a job search or employment office in New Zealand, as they will be able to assist you with the lodgment and processing of your visa application as well as the coordination of job leads/interviews in New Zealand.

If you are interested in migrating as a skilled migrant and you would like to find out if your occupation is listed on the New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations list (NZSCO) as a skilled occupation please click here.

Are you eligible to emigrate? Find out now. Click here for a FREE initial immigration assessment provided by the Migration Bureau (officially recognised immigration and visa consultants). For information on the Migration Bureau Click here.

Family

The family class is divided into 4 sub-classes: Partnership, Parent, Sibling/ Adult Child and Dependant Child.

You may apply as a partner if you are legally married to a New Zealand citizen or resident OR if you are in a genuine and stable de-facto (common law) or same-sex relationship of at least 12 months duration.

You may apply as a parent if you satisfy the "centre of gravity" test, meaning you have an equal or greater number of adult children living in New Zealand than in any other country. Dependent children with a parent in New Zealand may also be eligible to apply for permanent residence. You may also be eligible to migrate to New Zealand if you have a parent or sibling who is a permanent resident or citizen.

Immigration Target

New Zealand's immigration policy currently allows for the granting of permanent residence visas to at least 50,000 new settlers annually.

Business

The Long-term Business Visa (LTBV)/Entrepreneur visa pathway is generally open to business owners, senior managers, company directors or those applicants with a successful history of self-employment or business ownership.

To immigrate to New Zealand under this class there is no minimum capital or past business ownership requirement. Instead applicants must prepare a viable, well-researched business plan and possess sufficient funds and relevant business experience to establish or purchase the proposed business in New Zealand. It is important that the business must be of benefit to New Zealand, in terms of creating employment for New Zealanders, increasing foreign exchange earnings or exports, revitalizing an existing business, or introducing new products, services or technology into the New Zealand market place.

The process to immigrate to New Zealand on this pathway involves two visa applications. Firstly, you will be issued with a long-term business (work) visa, for an initial period of nine months, to enter New Zealand to establish or purchase your business. Upon satisfying the visa officer of this, you will then be issued a further work permit for up to a maximum period of 3 years, allowing you to continue establishing and running your business. Permanent residence is applied for under the Entrepreneur Class, once the business has been successfully established in New Zealand for at least 2 years and meets the prevailing criteria. The success of the first stage (LTBV) largely depends on the quality of your business plan, so make sure that you seek professional advice from a Migration Consultant on this aspect.

Investor

With effect from 31st July 2007 you were no longer able to lodge an application under the Investor Class as changes were made and a replacement category introduced. The new category is called the Active Investor Migrant category and opened on 26 November 2007.

The new category is divided into 3 sub-categories:

• Global Investor – this is the top category for high value investors needing to invest $20 million with at least $5 million in active investment

• Professional Investors – the second priority category with applicants needing to invest $10 million with at least $2 million in active investment

• General (Active) Investors – this is the third category for applicants investing a minimum pf $2.5 million. This category is points tested. The points will be allocated on the basis of their potential contribution to New Zealand business, taking into consideration financial and human capital, the benefit of active investment, and the value of export linkages, technology transfer, and entrepreneurship and management skills.

The major advantage of this class is that there is no requirement to actively own and operate a business in New Zealand.

All applicants are required to satisfy English language requirements, health, character, police and credibility checks, and a range of other criteria.

Temporary visas

A number of temporary visas are also available;

Work visa: If you are offered a job that cannot be filled by a New Zealander and the New Zealand employer is willing to "sponsor" you, then it may be possible for you to apply for a work visa. The visa is issued for the duration of the employment contract or 3 years, whichever comes first.

Important note: New Zealand employers are generally reluctant to sponsor offshore candidates unless there are specific skills shortages, and often do not consider applicants unless they are ALREADY in possession of a New Zealand residence visa, present in New Zealand for interview and able to start work within 4-6 weeks. So, unless you are to be transferred to New Zealand by your current employer, this can be a very difficult visa to obtain.

Talent and Accredited Employer options also exist for applicants who have a pre-arranged, skilled job offer in New Zealand.

Working Holiday visa: Citizens of certain countries who are aged between 18 years and 30 years may consider obtaining a Working Holiday Visa. This visa enables you to work and travel for 1 year (2 years for citizens of the United Kingdom) but work must be restricted to casual positions and you must not undertake permanent employment.

Student visa: If you are enrolled into a qualifying course at a New Zealand tertiary institution, you can apply for a student visa. This visa allows you to study and to work up to 20 hours per week.

For further information on these visa options please contact your nearest New Zealand Migration Consultant as they will explain the immigration regulations and entry criteria in greater detail.

CAUTION: Immigration Regulations can change without advance notice. You are strongly advised to seek the advice of a Migration Consultant before applying.

(Information on this page correct as at 31st October 2007)