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NEW ZEALAND MIGRATION
Immigration New Zealand oversees all immigration matters in New Zealand
including visa and permits onshore, application processing and visa grants. You can read further information about NZ
visas, permits and immigration to New Zealand on the Immigration NZ Website.
To enter
and remain in New Zealand for any reason (i.e. tourist, short term, temporary long stays or permanently), generally you will
require a valid visa for the full duration of your stay. The type of visa you will require will depend on your specific circumstances
and intentions while in New Zealand such as visiting, study, work, family, etc. (Note: Australian citizens and permanent residents do not require a visa to
enter and remain in New Zealand indefinitely).
To remain longer in New Zealand than
your original visa allows, you must submit another valid visa or permit application before the expiration date to remain in
the country lawfully. It is important that you do not stay past the expiration of your visa, as being caught without a visa
in New Zealand is grounds to be removed or detained. Once you have become unlawful in New Zealand, it can be difficult
to obtain a further visa or permit and may hinder your chances of getting a subsequent application approved.
VISAS
- Visas
are the travel document which allows you to enter or re-enter New Zealand. Visas are issued for either single entry or multiple
entries, and you can usually choose which option best fits your situation. If you are already in New Zealand and hold
a valid visa and would just like to apply for different conditions (i.e. study or work), then you would apply for a permit.
PERMITS – Permits
are the stamp given on arrival in your passport which allow you to remain in New Zealand and lists the conditions of your
stay (permits are also granted if your conditions change while already in NZ). All permits automatically expire when
the holder leaves New Zealand and a re-entry visa is required for the holder to return to New Zealand and be issued a new
permit.
VISITOR / TOURIST VISAS
To travel to New Zealand as a visitor, generally you must be a genuine tourist (i.e. sightseeing or visiting friends
and relatives). You may also enter New Zealand on a visitor visa for reasons of the following (among other special visitor
categories): - Study (one course of up to a
maximum of 3 months)
- Play sport or perform in cultural events without pay
- Undertake a short business trip (no work)
- Undertake medical treatment
- Partner
of a work visa holder / Parent of a student visa holder
To
be eligible for a visitor visa and permit, you will be required to hold an outward flight departing before the expiry of your
permit as well as proof that you can financially support yourself while in NZ (approx. NZ$1,000 per month / person).
You will not need to obtain a Tourist Visa to travel to and enter New Zealand if you hold a passport from one of the designated
visa free countries – please see NZ Visa Free Countries. If you hold a British passport you eligible for a visitor's permit for up to 6 months, and other eligible countries
will be granted permits upon arrival for a stay of no more than 3 months. If you do not hold a passport from one of the visa
free counties, you will need to obtain a Visitor Visa before travelling to New Zealand. All applicants may only
spend a total combined period of 9 months in NZ during every 18 month period, and visitors through the Visa Waiver Program
may stay a total of 6 months in every 12 month period.
STUDENT CATEGORY
If you would like to study in New
Zealand for more than 3 months, you will most likely need to obtain a student visa or permit. Generally you will need
to have a formal offer of enrolment from the study institution, evidence of payment of the tuition fees, guarantee of accommodation
and financial support for the term of study, and satisfy health and character requirements.
There are a number
of policies which allow students to also work in New Zealand while holding a study visa, and therefore need to be reviewed
on an individual basis. Across all policies, at no time are students able to work in any positions payable by commissions
only or in self employment. Generally speaking, the following policies are likely to apply:
· Students enrolled in Year 12 &
13 at secondary school or undertaking a long term English language program may be able to work for 20 hours per week with
parental and school permission.
· Students who are enrolled in a full time tertiary, University or Polytechnic program may work
for up to 20 hours a week and full time during the summer holiday vacation. The study programme must be at least 2 years duration
or for a qualification which is recognised for points under the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) residence policy.
· Students who graduate from a study programme in New Zealand with a qualification which is recognised
under SMC policy can be granted a 12 month graduate work permit. This permit allows a graduate the ability to seek, obtain
and undertake work in any position with any employer without the normal requirement for a prerequisite employment offer.
· The partners of students undertaking full time postgraduate study or towards a qualification
on the Long Term Skills Shortage List may be issued open work permits enabling them to work while their partner studies.
The
New Zealand academic year is from around late January to mid December for schools and late February to early November for
tertiary programmes including Universities and Polytechnics. Student permits are generally issued for the period for which
the course fees are paid and permits for tertiary courses are normally made valid until 31 March. This allows time for re-enrolment
as new permits need to be applied for on a yearly basis. If you intend to stay in NZ long term, a study to residence pathway
might be a viable option.
WORKING HOLIDAY MAKER
The New Zealand Working Holiday Visa Scheme gives
young people aged between 18
and 30 the opportunity to travel to New Zealand and work casually during their stay. This category allows
visa holders to work in any type of employment to supplement their travels, however permanent employment
cannot be undertaken. Generally the Working Holiday Maker is granted for a total of 12 months (depending on your country of citizenship), and
only 1 Working Holiday Visa can be obtained in a lifetime. Working holiday permit holders can also
undertake one single course of study for up to 3 months (and up to 6 months for citizens of selected countries).
New Zealand currently has Working Holiday Maker arrangements with 30 countries, please see Available Schemes. There are annual quota limits on some countries, but no limit on the numbers of people who can apply from the United Kingdom,
Germany, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Ireland, Italy, Sweden and USA.
To be eligible for a Working Holiday Visa, the applicant must be from an approved country and fulfill the following:
· have a passport valid for at least 3 months past the proposed visa expiry date
· be at least
18 years old and not yet had their 31st birthday at the time of application
· not have any
accompanying children
· hold a return travel ticket, or sufficient funds to purchase such a ticket
· have access
to funds equivalent to NZ$350 per month
· be of good health and character
· establish that the main reason for coming
to New Zealand is to holiday rather than to work
· evidence of health insurance valid for the duration of stay in New Zealand
TEMPORARY WORK
It is required
that you hold a valid and appropriate work permit before you are able to undertake most types of work while in New Zealand.
Only if your employment in New Zealand involves visits for business negotiations, short-term sales trips, work for official
trade missions recognised by the New Zealand government, or work for overseas governments, you may be able to do that while
on a visitor visa or permit. Otherwise, there are a range of work permit policies which can be considered depending on your
circumstances.
Work visa applications
may also include the main applicant’s spouse, children, or other fully dependent family members. Dependent family
members will need to submit separate individual applications under the family
policy, within the appropriate category such as work, study or visitor.
Essential Skills Work Policy – You will require a full time
job offer from a New Zealand employer to enable you to get a temporary work visa and/or permit under the Essential Skills
work policy. Your job offer must come from a New Zealand employer who can prove to Immigration NZ that they have genuinely
searched and there are no suitable New Zealand workers available to do that job (a labour market test will be completed).
Employer may also request approval in principle to recruit overseas workers, or the occupation may be listed on one
of the Essential Skills in Demand List to qualify. It can be difficult to obtain work
permits for general occupations such as those associated with customer service, cleaning, clerical, labouring and production
work.
You will need to prove that you are suitably qualified for the position by showing
evidence of qualifications or training you have undertaken or work experience you have gained. When assessing whether
you are suitably qualified for a position, your qualifications and work experience will be compared against the prerequisite
criteria for that occupation as listed on the ANZSCO.
Work Permits are usually issued for the period of the employment contract offered to a maximum of 3 years (after
which a new permit needs to be applied for). Work permits allow the applicant to work only in the approved position for
the employer specified on the permit. A new work permit application or a Variation of Conditions application is required to
facilitate any change in the employment terms. If you intend to stay long term in New Zealand, you may be able to apply for
a Work to Residence in your occupation is listed on the Long Term Skills Shortages List.
Student / Trainee - If you need work experience to complete or further
your study or training, you may be eligible for a work visa or permit. Students who want to fulfill a course requirement
by undertaking practical work experience in New Zealand must provide evidence of support from their educational institution
and obtain an offer of work from a New Zealand education institution or employer. Students may receive a work visa
for up to 6 months for purposes of this practical training. There are also categories of visas and permits available specifically
for dental or medical trainees for a duration of 6 months and apprentice jockey’s for a visa of up to 4 years. All categories
in this policy will require fulfillment of the standard work visa requirements.
If you are studying in New Zealand
and you want to stay and work after you have completed your studies, you may also be eligible for a work visa or permit under
the Study to Work Policy. If you are a student with an offer of employment relevant to your qualification, you may be eligible
for a work permit for a maximum period of 2 years; or 3 years if you are working towards obtaining a registration from a New
Zealand professional association which requires more than 2 years of relevant practical work experience. If you are a student who
has completed a qualification in New Zealand but you do not have a job offer, you may be eligible for a
Graduate Job Search Work Visa and/or Permit for a maximum of 12 months. Then, when you have found a job, you can apply for
a further permit for up to two or three years under the Study to Work Policy.
Work Exchange – This category allows you take part in a work
exchange scheme that has been pre-approved by NZ Immigration or is a government to government exchange scheme. You must provide
evidence that you have been accepted into an approved work exchange scheme, have medical and dental insurance cover for the
length of the exchange, and have made travel arrangements to leave New Zealand when you have finished the work exchange program.
Highly Specialised – There
are policies for people who want to come to New Zealand to work temporarily in the particular specialist fields of: Crew of
Chartered Foreign Fishing Vessels, Interpreters from Japan, Thai Chefs, Ministers of Religion, Missionaries, Members of Religious
Orders, Seasonal Workers in the Horticulture or Viticulture Industry.
Specific Purpose / Event– You may be eligible for a work visa or permit if you are coming to New Zealand for a specific purpose or event
for which your skills, attributes or expertise will benefit New Zealand. You will need to provide an offer of employment
or invitation to scheduled events of which you will be employed. You must also show evidence of departure from New Zealand
when the employment is completed. The following may apply under this category: Senior Business Person/Chief Executives,
Sport Players & Referees, Judge of a Show/Exhibition, Dance/Music Examiner, Pastor, Installer of Equipment, Entertainer
(and supporting crew), and Business Investors. Each of these occupations carries a different validity period and eligibility
requirements.
Chinese Nationals –
The China Skilled Workers Policy
allows Chinese nationals to be granted temporary employment for up to 3 years, in specified occupations where New Zealand has a skills shortage. Entry will be limited to no more than 100 workers in each occupation at any one
time and a maximum of 1,000 at any one time. There is also the China Special Work Policy which is for Chinese nationals who
are qualified as chefs, traditional Chinese medicine practitioners, Mandarin teachers’ aides, wushu martial arts coaches
or tour guides.
BUSINESS
New Zealand
Business Visa categories have been designed to contribute to economic growth in New Zealand by attracting business owners,
investors and entrepreneurs. Visa categories can be either for permanent residence, or temporary entry with the option to
lead to residence after several years subject to meeting the conditions of policy.
Long Term Business -
This is temporary entry category that offers a special Work to Residence option for people interested in
establishing business opportunities in New Zealand, and would like to explore their options before applying for permanent
residency.
Migrant Investor - The Migrant Investment Policy aims to attract financial
capital to local firms or government by providing residence to people who wish to make a significant financial contribution
to New Zealand's economy.
Entrepreneur - This category is for applicants who can demonstrate
they have been or have the ability to actively participate in business, contributing to New Zealand's economic development.
Self Employment - Holders
of permanent residence permits are free to work or be self employed in their own business as any other New Zealander. Similarly
the holders of “open” work permits are able to be self employed for the period of their permit. Open work permits
are issued under Family Policy to the partners of long term work permit holders and New Zealand citizens and residents, and
the partners of some postgraduate tertiary student permit holders.
SKILLED MIGRANTS
The Skilled
Migrant category requires applicants to score points under a range of criteria. The intention of the category is to allow
Immigration New Zealand to more actively target those migrants with the particular skills that will benefit the country. Because
they are looking for migrants who can make a long-term contribution to New Zealand, you must be 55 years or younger to apply.
To apply under the skilled Migrant Category, applicants must first register an Expression of Interest (EOI) to initiate
an application for residence. When you complete an EOI, it goes into the Immigration New Zealand selection pool. At selection
time, those with 140 points or more are automatically selected to apply for residence. If after the first selection,
there are places remaining, EOIs with more than 100 points will be selected to fill the remaining places. (Check your total
eligibility of EOI Points and Bonus Points). Preference will be given to EOIs with points for being employed in New Zealand or having an offer of skilled employment.
An EOI is current for a period of 6 months from the date of submission to the pool. If your EOI is not selected within that
6 months, it will automatically be withdrawn and you can submit another one if you wish.
All EOI applications which
meet the minimum requirements (100 points) are coordinated and logged into a centralised Immigration New Zealand database.
Every 2 weeks, a selection is made from the EOI pool of those applicants at a points/criteria level sufficient to deliver
the number of migrants required to achieve the annual target. Selected EOIs then undergo further verification checks which
may then result in an invitation to apply for permanent residence.
Applicants must have an acceptable
tertiary or trade qualification or work experience relevant to an occupation on the Long Term Skills Shortages List.
In certain fields of work, you will also need to ensure you have occupational registration to be eligible for permanent residency as a Skilled Migrant. You must be able to prove you are fluent in the
English language, which can be achieved in various ways including proof of qualifications obtained in English, continued work
experience in an English speaking country, or sitting an accredited English language exam (such as IELTS and achieving a 6.5
average). Health and Character requirements will need to be met as well.
FAMILY
Applicants who have family who
are already permanent residents or citizens of New Zealand, may be eligible to apply for residence under one of the Family
Categories. Health and character requirements also apply to all family categories.
Partner - This category enables New Zealand citizens or residents to sponsor their spouse or de-facto partner for permanent
residency in New Zealand. The primary requirement is that the couple provide evidence of a stable and genuine relationship
of 12 months or more and have been living together for a minimum of 12 months - It is not required that the couple be married.
Both applicants must be 18 years of age or older, however if between the age of 16-18, an application can be made with parental
consent. The relationship may be heterosexual or same sex, and an application may also include any dependent children.
Parent - Parent applications
must be supported by an adult child who has been a New Zealand citizen or resident for a minimum of 3 years immediately before
the application. The child sponsor must be able to ensure that financial support and accommodation is provided to their
parent (if necessary) for at least the first 2 years. Parents will either have no children in their home country or
they must have an equal or greater number of adult children permanently living in New Zealand than in any other country. Under
some circumstances grandparents and legal guardians can also be considered under the parent category.
Sibling
& Adult Child - An applicant must be the only member of their family permanently living in their country of residence
and be at least 17 years old. Applicant's must have a parent or adult sibling who is a permanent resident and who has
lived in New Zealand for a minimum of 3 years and supports their application. There is a current waiting time of 18-24
months for a place to become available within the cap.
Dependent Child – Children that have a parent who is a New Zealand permanent resident or citizen
can apply for residence; these dependent children must be 16 years or younger. If the parent is not already a New Zealand
resident or citizen, children under 25 years can be included as a dependent on their parent’s residence application.
In both applications the child must be financially dependent on the parent for their living expenses, may not be working full
time or in a de facto relationship.
SAMOAN / PACIFIC QUOTA SCHEME
The Samoan Quota Scheme allows up to 1,100 citizens of Samoa, and the Pacific Access Category
allows up to 75 citizens of Kiribati, 75 citizens of Tuvalu and 250 citizens of Tonga to be granted residence in New Zealand
each year.
To be eligible to make an application for residence under the Samoan/Pacific Quota Scheme, you must
register for a ballot under the corresponding quota within the official registration period. The registration period each
year is only about 1month in duration, which varies depending on which scheme you are applying under. One month after
the closure of the registration period, an electronic draw is conducted where registrations are drawn randomly until the quota
number of people is met for each country. If you are successful in the ballot draw you will be notified and invited
to make an application for residence.
The applicant must be a Samoan or Pacific Islander citizen, between the
ages of 18 and 45, and have an acceptable offer of employment. The minimum English language, health and character requirements
must be met as well as income requirements if bringing dependent children. Partners and dependent children of primary
applicants must also meet the health and character requirements.
CITIZENSHIP
New
Zealand citizenship is required to travel on a New Zealand passport, live and work in New Zealand indefinately (without the
renewal of permanent residency), and to obtain employment in some public service or Government positions.
To be eligible for New Zealand citizenship a person must:
- Hold New Zealand Permanent Residence, and have lived
in New Zealand for a minimum of 5 years (as well as spending a minimum of 240 days in NZ each of those 5 years).
- Intend to live permanently in New Zealand
- Have a reasonable understanding of English
- Be
of good character
Citizenship applications are made on an individual and not a family basis and a separate application
is required for each person in a family. Citizenship applications presently take around 8-10 months to process while
passport applications only take a few days once citizenship is conferred. New Zealand allows its citizens to hold multiple
citizenships, however not all countries have the same policy and this must be considered before applying for citizenship in
NZ.
The Citizenship policy changed in April 2005. If a person had obtained, or applied for, New Zealand permanent
residence prior to 21 April 2005, then a slightly different criteria apply. Children born in New Zealand on or after
1 January 2006 will automatically be New Zealand citizens only if one of their parents was a New Zealand citizen or
held residence status at the time of the birth.
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