New median wage threshold for Essential Skills and Skilled Migrant Visas
From 19th July 2021 Immigration will be using an updated median wage of NZD $27.00 per hour to assess Essential Skills and Skilled Migrant Visa applications (previously NZD $25.50 per hour). What does this mean for me? Essential Skills Work Visas To be granted a 3-year visa you will need to have a job or […]
Continued suspension of offshore temporary visa applications
The New Zealand Government have announced that they will continue with the current suspension of overseas applications for most temporary visas for a further 3 months, until 6 August 2021. This measure was originally introduced on 10 August 2020 to prevent people applying if they are currently unable to travel to New Zealand due to […]
Update on the new Accredited Employer Work Visa
Update on the new Accredited Employer Work Visa that is being introduced to replace the Essential Skills Work Visa. What is changing? The new Accredited Employer Work Visa will be introduced on 1st November 2021 The new work visa will replace the following, existing work visas: Essential Skills Work Visa Essential Skills Work Visa – […]
Border exception extended to partners and dependent children of some temporary visa holders
Great news for migrant families who have been separated due to the border closures! On 30 April 2021, the New Zealand Government is introducing a further exception to the border restrictions for the families of some temporary visa holders in New Zealand. This covers the following groups: Partners and dependent children who held (and continue to hold) a visa for New Zealand, but were unable to join their partner or parent in […]
Employer-assisted work visas extended by 6 months
The New Zealand government has announced a number of positive changes to help work visa holders currently in New Zealand. Employer-assisted visas expiring from 1 January 2021 to 30 June 2021 (inclusive) will be automatically extended by another 6 months. This applies to the following visas: Essential Skills Visa Work to Residence Visa Special and Skilled […]
Suspension of overseas applications for most temporary visas extended again
The current suspension of overseas applications for most temporary visas has been extended until May 2021. This measure was originally introduced on 10 August 2020 to prevent people applying if they are ineligible to enter New Zealand due to current border restrictions. It is reviewed by the Government every month. To discuss your options, feel free to get in touch.
Critical health workers entry deadline extended
Good news, the border exception for critical health workers has been extended to 31 March 2021. This means that health or disability workers who have been offered a role to deliver critical services in New Zealand, can now have a start date up to 31 March 2021. This extension will help recruitment for the health […]
Managed Isolation and Quarantine Vouchers required
Travellers to New Zealand are now required to have a voucher confirming they have been allocated a place in a managed isolation facility before boarding their flight. The Managed Isolation and Quarantine Website has more information about the Managed Isolation Allocation System and how to get your voucher.
Temporary visa suspension extended for overseas applicants
Immigration New Zealand have extended the current suspension of overseas visa applications for most temporary visas until February 2021. This is due to border restrictions remaining in place. Applications for Partnership Visas, based on your relationship with a New Zealand citizen or resident, are still being accepted and processed, however. To see if you are […]
Skilled Migrant and Parent EOI selections deferred for further 6 months
Immigration New Zealand have announced that they will continue to defer the Expression of Interest selection process for the Skilled Migrant Category and Parent Resident Category for a further 6 months. They have been deferred since April 2020. This decision will be reviewed before the end of March 2021. The deferral is to allow INZ […]
Up to 250 PhD and postgraduate students can return to study in New Zealand
There is some good news for up to 250 international PhD and postgraduate students which the New Zealand government is allowing to return to study in New Zealand. Eligibility Criteria To be eligible the students must hold or have held a visa to study in New Zealand in 2020, but have been unable to enter […]
Processing of some offshore visa applications to resume
Immigration New Zealand have started processing and making a decision on offshore visa applications for some relationship-based visas supported by a New Zealand citizen or resident. This includes the following visas: Partnership – Visitor Partnership Partnership – Visitor Culturally Arranged Marriage Partnership – Work Partnership Partnership – Resident Partnership Partnership – Resident Partnership – Partner […]
Good news! Changes to border restrictions for some offshore visa holders and partners of NZ citizens and residents
Immigration New Zealand (INZ) have announced some positive changes to border exception requests which will help some offshore work visa holders and partners of New Zealand citizens and residents. New border exception category for some normally resident temporary work visa holders A new border exception category has been introduced that will help some temporary work […]
Employer-assisted work visa extension aligned for partners and dependants
Immigration New Zealand have announced they will apply the same expiry date extension of employer-assisted work visas made in July 2020 to the partner and dependants of the principal visa holder if their visa would have expired from 17 August to 31 December 2020. INZ will email visa holders or their advisers by Tuesday 25th […]
Suspension of certain temporary visas for overseas applicants
Immigration New Zealand have announced that from 10th August 2020 overseas applicants will not be allowed to apply for temporary entry visas for a 3-month period. Exceptions to the visa suspension: The following overseas temporary entry class visa applications are not affected: relationship-based visas for partners and dependent children of New Zealand citizens and residents […]
Changes to Border Exception Expression of Interest requests
From 10th August 2020, INZ will start charging for all border exception Expression of Interest requests. The fees will be payable when you submit your form online. The fees are: NZD $380 for employers who request exceptions for ‘other critical workers’ (or organisations or agencies that sponsor requests), and NZD $45 for individual requests under […]
Significant changes to Essential Skills Work Visas from 27th July
Immigration New Zealand have announced some significant changes to Essential Skills Work Visas that will be introduced on 27th July 2020. Remuneration and median wage Up until 27th July 2020, INZ have used a combination of ANZSCO (the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations) and salary to assess an applicant’s skill level (as […]
Which visa categories are currently being processed?
Since moving into Level 2 Lock Down, Immigration New Zealand have been able to start to process more visa categories again. Currently 97% of onshore Immigration Officers are able to work, however all offshore offices remain closed. As a result, INZ have been able to resume the processing of residence class visa applications from Thursday […]
Changes to NZQA fees
NZQA have changed their fees for getting your qualification assessed against the New Zealand Qualifications Framework (NZQF) from 10th February 2020. An assessment by the NZQA may be required to be able to claim points in a Skilled Migrant Category application or to prove you are qualified for a job offer for a Work Visa. […]
Skilled Migrant and Essential Skills – minimum salary threshold to increase in February 2020
Immigration New Zealand have announced a change in the minimum salary threshold from 24 February 2020, which affects the eligibility requirements for Essential Skills Work Visas and Skilled Migrant Resident Visas. Any job offer must also still be at the market rate. Changes to Essential Skills salary rates from 24 February 2020 ANZSCO Skill […]
Upgrade in ANZSCO skill level for a number of occupations
Immigration New Zealand have announced that a number of occupations (including child care workers, beauty therapists, travel consultants, personal care assistants and bookkeepers) have been upgraded from skill level 4 or 5 to skill level 1-3 in the new version of ANZSCO (the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations). Although INZ will not […]
Parent Resident Visa Category reopening on 24 February 2020
Immigration New Zealand have announced that the Parent Resident Visa Category will be reopening on 24th February 2020, however there will be new requirements for applicants. Eligibility will now only be based on the sponsor and their partner’s salary, not the parent’s guaranteed lifetime income or settlement funds. The main changes being introduced to the […]
Changes to the Talent Accredited Employer Work Visa
Immigration New Zealand announced today that they will be introducing changes to the Talent Accredited Employer Work Visa from 7th October 2019. One of the most significant changes is that the minimum salary will increase from NZD $55,000 to NZD $79,560. The main changes to the Talent Accredited Employer Work Visa, coming into effect on […]