Exciting opportunities are on the horizon for UK citizens seeking adventure and employment in New Zealand. Starting July 1st, 2023, the UK Working Holiday Scheme (WHS) is undergoing upgrades that will allow individuals to explore and work in the beautiful country for extended periods of time.
This development is the result of collaboration between the Prime Ministers of the UK and New Zealand, who first announced the planned updates to the WHS and the Youth Mobility Scheme for New Zealanders in the UK. Here's what you need to know:
Certain requirements must be met for visa applicants: If the total length of stay exceeds 12 months, applicants must provide a medical and chest x-ray certificate to the Immigration New Zealand (INZ). For stays of more than 24 months, police certificates will also be necessary. For current UK Working Holiday visa holders already in New Zealand, here's some good news:
Don't miss out on this incredible chance to broaden your horizons and immerse yourself in New Zealand's vibrant culture. Upgrade to the new and improved UK Working Holiday Scheme, and embark on a life-changing adventure starting July 1st, 2023. Source: INZ website
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SMC Simplified Points System
Starting October 9, 2023, a simplified points system for the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) Resident Visa will provide a faster route to residence for highly skilled individuals. Other workers will have a clear pathway to residence after working for a period in New Zealand. These changes are designed to provide more certainty to migrants and employers alike regarding temporary and permanent work and residency in New Zealand. The new SMC complements the Green List and Sector Agreement pathways, providing clear residence options depending on job, qualification, or wage. Under the new system, SMC applicants must have a job offer for or current employment in a role with a salary of at least the median wage for ANZSCO skill levels 1-3 or 1.5 times the median wage for ANZSCO skill levels 4-5. Applicants must earn six points, which can come from New Zealand occupational registration, a recognized qualification or income, and work experience in a skilled job in New Zealand. The age limit, English language, health, and character requirements for residence applications will remain the same. Additionally, the Highly Paid Residence Visa will be incorporated into the SMC. INZ aims to decide straightforward SMC applications with all required information in six to eight weeks, and there will be no cap on the number of people who can gain residence if they meet the skills threshold. More information about these changes will be provided closer to their launch. Final Expression of Interest selection of current SMC The current SMC selection process is still ongoing, with monthly draws of expressions of interest (EOIs) meeting the 180 points threshold taking place until the final selection on 16 August 2023. The deadline for submitting your EOI is 11:59 pm on 15 August. If selected to apply for residency, you'll have four months to do so. Keep in mind that only EOIs meeting the 180 points threshold will be considered at this time. However, those who fall short may still be eligible under the new simplified points system starting 9 October 2023. If you're already in the current SMC selection pool, keep an eye out for more information coming your way. Don't let this opportunity slip by- submit your EOI before the deadline and take the first step towards becoming a resident of New Zealand. EOI Withdrawal Applicants have the option to withdraw their Expression of Interest (EOI) prior to the July or final August selection and request a refund. However, if their EOI has already been selected or remains in the pool at the time the category closes, they are not eligible for a refund. This is because the fee they pay is intended to cover the expenses associated with evaluating their EOI. Are you in the process of job hunting and want to ensure that the employer you're interested in working for is accredited? Look no further than the Immigration New Zealand website where they have provided a handy tool for just that. With just a few clicks, you can check if the employer you're considering is accredited and save yourself the trouble of potentially joining an unaccredited company. This tool provides peace of mind to job seekers and ensures that they can make informed decisions about their career prospects.
What you can search for: You can use this tool to check if an employer is currently accredited or not, if you:
How to use this tool: You will need information to identify the employer. This may be their:
If searching by an employer’s company or trading name, enter at least the first 3 characters. If you cannot find an employer listed This database is updated as employers join the accreditation programme or renew their accreditation status. Some employers have chosen not to be published in the search results, check with the employer to find out if they are accredited or not. Click on the button below to access the tool. Are you looking to transfer your valid visa to a new passport but feeling daunted by the thought of navigating the process? Save time and do it online with the new form that is available on the INZ Website.
Application for transfer or confirmation of a visa It's essential to note that visas are linked to your passport or certificate of identity. When you obtain a new passport or certificate of identity, you must transfer your valid visa to your new passport before traveling. The new form can help you transfer your visa or obtain a letter or visa label endorsement to confirm your immigration status easily. Previously, you had to visit your nearest VAC and pay service fees if you were outside New Zealand. But with the new online option, you can apply for a visa transfer from the comfort of your own home. The process is entirely online, and you can make payments (if required) and receive email confirmation when your application has been successfully submitted. The best part? You no longer need to pay any fees if you request an eVisa or confirmation letter. Don't let the transfer process stress you out any longer- apply for your visa transfer or confirmation using INZ's online form today. New health roles added to Green List As previously announced by the government, an additional 32 positions in the health sector are being included in the Green List, and all Green List health positions will now be moved to the Straight to Residence pathway. Starting from Monday, May 29, 2023, eligible individuals will have the opportunity to apply under the new criteria. Furthermore, the list encompasses roles beyond the health system, such as social services, education, and justice positions, which play a vital role in the delivery of healthcare services in New Zealand. The qualifications to apply for the Green List Straight to Residence are:
If applicants need to come to New Zealand to complete occupational registration, they can:
Transport Sector Green List Roles As mentioned before, starting from 29th September 2023, a two-year work to residence pathway will be available for specific transport roles. On Monday, 29th May 2023, changes will be made to the Immigration Instructions, and INZ website will offer more information to migrants currently in New Zealand or those considering this pathway. The two-year work to residence pathway is for people working in these occupations (and ANZSCO codes):
Applicants seeking residence must meet certain criteria when applying, which include having a job or job offer for one of the aforementioned occupations and fulfilling the Green List requirements specific to that occupation. Additionally, they must have successfully completed two years of work experience and fulfill other general requirements. Since the opening of the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) program in July of 2022, Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has received an overwhelming number of applications in this category. The AEWV program aims to provide employers in New Zealand with a streamlined process for hiring overseas workers who have the skills and experience that are in demand in the country.
As of the latest statistics, INZ has received over 23,700 Employer Accreditation applications with more than 23,000 of them already approved. Meanwhile, the agency has also received more than 34,000 Job check applications, with nearly 32,500 approved so far. On average, INZ has been able to make a decision on these applications within five weekdays. More than 67,000 applications for AEWV have been received and over 58,000 approved. Despite their best efforts, INZ has been unable to keep up with the influx of applications, and the current processing time for decided AEWV applications now stands at 18 working days. INZ aims to process straightforward AEWV applications within 20 working days; however, they have not been able to progress some applications due to incomplete information. In light of this, INZ has decided to contact applicants whose applications are pending due to lack of information. They are requesting the applicants to provide all required information within 10 working days so that they can proceed with processing their application. Failure to provide the necessary information or response within this timeframe may have an adverse impact on the application. For onshore AEWV applicants, INZ will send a Potentially Prejudicial Information (PPI) letter to present them with an initial assessment of their application and provide them with an opportunity to respond before we make a final decision. For offshore AEWV applicants, INZ will progress the application as is for assessment, and it is likely the application will be declined due to not meeting immigration instructions. INZ will start contacting applicants over the coming weeks. Reusing Job tokens for declined applications If INZ declines an AEWV application, the job token (unique link) that was used by that applicant will be returned to the employer’s dashboard after the 14-day reconsideration period and will be able to be reused, provided the job check is still valid and it has not been six months since the job check was approved. The Government of New Zealand has announced changes to the Partner of a Worker Work Visa. These changes are aimed at rebalancing the immigration system and creating a more productive, higher-wage economy.
Effective from 31 May 2023 People who successfully apply for a Partner of a Worker Work Visa may have new conditions that mean:
This applies to most partners of workers who hold either an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) or an Essential Skills Work Visa (ESWV). Partners who wish to apply for this visa do not need to have a job offer, and employers do not need to complete a Job Check. Once granted, partners can change employers without applying for a Variation of Conditions. There is no minimum number of hours that partners need to work. People who are currently employed will need to ensure their employment satisfies the conditions of their new visa when any new visa takes effect. It is also necessary for people who are not employed to ensure that any future job offer satisfies these conditions. Any subsequent changes to the employer’s accreditation, the median wage, and Sector Agreements will not impact the visa holder if they remain in the same employment. From 31 May, individuals will be able to check if an employer is accredited on the Immigration New Zealand (INZ) website. The changes do not affect current work visa conditions or the status of those who apply before 31 May 2023. There are no changes to visa conditions for partners of New Zealanders, or partners of those holding other work visas, such as a Post Study Work Visa. Exceptions However, some partners of AEWV or ESWV holders will continue to be eligible to work in any occupation for any employer in New Zealand, with no median wage threshold. This includes partners of migrants who are paid at least twice the median wage, or migrants who work in a role on the Green List. Partners who did not meet these criteria when they received their visa but have since met them through a pay increase or their role being added to the Green List may also apply. Evidence of eligibility will be required as part of the Partner of a Worker Work Visa application or through a Variation of Conditions request. AEWV and ESWV holders who cannot support a partner work visa However, AEWV holders who are covered by a Sector Agreement and paid below the median wage are not eligible to support a partner work visa. ESWV holders paid below the median wage or lower-skilled (if the visa application was made before 27 July 2020) are also not eligible to support a partner. If these AEWV and ESWV holders receive a pay rise that brings their salary up to at least the median wage, they may be able to support their partner for a work visa. However, they do not need to apply for a new work visa to support a partner unless they want their eligibility for a longer work visa to be assessed based on their new salary. This is because partners generally receive a visa for the same period as their supporting partner’s work visa. Partners of temporary workers can explore other visas to determine if they are eligible to apply in their own right. Those who choose not to work can apply for a Visitor Visa. Source: INZ website Man Escapes Deportation Following Wife's Conviction for Causing Severe Injuries to Their Infant16/5/2023 A man originally from India has been allowed to stay in New Zealand, despite his wife being convicted of causing 40 fractures, brain bleeds and a “deep brain injury” to their two-month-old child. The man's visa was attached to his wife’s partnership visa, which was revoked when she was sentenced to two years and seven months in prison. The woman will be deported back to India once she has completed her jail-term, but the man's own visa was also liable to be revoked. However, the New Zealand Immigration and Protection Tribunal decided it would be “unjustly or unduly harsh” to deport him while he fights for custody of his daughter, who is currently in foster care. In November 2018, their daughter was taken to hospital in a critical condition with multiple injuries, including subdural haemorrhages, a deep brain injury, 18 rib fractures, two leg buckle fractures, multilayer retinal haemorrhages in the right eye, further fractures in her left arm and toes. The couple had suggested that the injuries “may be the result of a bone or other medical disorder, such as rickets,” but medical experts determined the injuries were non-accidental. The woman was sentenced to two years and seven months in prison. The man, who had entered into an arranged marriage in April 2017, was charged with ill-treatment or neglect of a child but was later acquitted. He has since lodged proceedings with the Family Court to regain custody of his daughter from Oranga Tamariki. The incident The man had taken two days of annual leave on November 7, 2018 during Diwali and spent most of his time out of the home, shopping and at the temple. His wife continuously called and texted him, threatening self-harm if he did not return. The man did not respond and stayed out until 10 pm. The next day, their daughter “seemed to be unwell” leading to them taking her to their family doctor, who promptly referred her to the hospital. The man worked night shifts at a supermarket while his wife was on maternity leave to look after their daughter. The couple had moved from India to New Zealand, and the man entered the country on a partnership visa with his wife. Despite his wife's conviction and pending deportation, the Tribunal found that the man's situation constituted “exceptional circumstances of a humanitarian nature” and cancelled his liability for deportation. He has been granted a 12-month work visa to stay in New Zealand. Source: https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/300877248/no-deportation-for-man-whose-wife-caused-40-fractures-to-2monthold Our firm has been successfully handling Deportation cases. Check out our latest case.A mother from Fiji has been denied a visitor visa to attend her son's graduation and wedding in New Zealand. Despite having 5 children in NZ (citizens and residents), Immigration New Zealand has refused entry to Saras Wati due to her previous overstay in New Zealand in 2016 when she sought treatment for her mental health disorder.
Wati had been visiting New Zealand since 2009 and she was in NZ on a visitor visa in April 2016 and was granted a medical visitor visa in May for her medical treatment. The visa expired in September 2016. However, INZ declined her subsequent requests on the grounds that she did not meet the immigration instructions nor did she have an acceptable standard of health. Wati then applied for a visa under Section 61 of the Immigration Act 2009 in 2017, but it was declined. She submitted another application eight months later, which was fortunately approved allowing her to stay through to October 2018. From 2017 to 2019, Wati applied for multiple visitor visas, all of which were denied. In addition, she sought ministerial intervention and appealed one of the denials to the Immigration Protection Tribunal, but unfortunately, these efforts were unsuccessful. She was served a deportation notice after failing to secure another visa in 2019. Last year, she made more visa applications, all of which were declined, due to her inability to demonstrate a genuine intention for temporary stay in New Zealand. Her son and his partner are part of the LGBTQI community and, as such, opted to celebrate their union in New Zealand, where they are legally recognised. Though Wati's family paid for a psychiatrist's report that verified her well-managed condition was safe for travel, her visa application was denied again this year. The couple had to proceed with their wedding without Wati, an emotional and hurtful decision. Although INZ and Richard Owen, the general manager of immigration, sympathised with Wati's family, they encouraged migrants to meet the immigration instructions before applying for a visa. However, her son and sisters work in the healthcare sector in New Zealand and are responsible for looking after vulnerable people. He expressed hope that his aging mother will be granted further rights to visit her future grandchildren in New Zealand. Source: https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/national/son-says-it-s-unfair-for-immigration-nz-to-deny-fijian-mother-return-visa-after-she-overstayed-due-to-medical-reasons/ On May 9th, 2023, the Parent Resident Visa Category expressions of interest (EOIs) will undergo the next selection process, with 670 EOIs being chosen. Quarterly selection numbers will continue to be adjusted based on EOI turnaround rates.
For the May 2023 selection, only EOIs submitted before October 12th, 2022 will be considered and will be selected in the order they were received. Starting August 2023, EOIs submitted on or after October 12th, 2022 will be included and randomly selected by ballot. The income threshold for sponsorship increased on 01 May 2023. Sponsors should check the new minimum income rates on our website to ensure they meet the requirements. To make sure EOIs meet the requirements of the category and are updated or withdrawn before selection, visit here. To ensure timely selection, please verify that your EOI meets category requirements and is updated or withdrawn before selection, visit here to update or withdraw. To update details, complete sections A1 to A5 and any other information that has changed in the EOI update form linked below and e-mail this to EOIupdate@mbie.govt.nz. To withdraw an expression of interest (EOI) and request a fee refund, fill out the form in the link below and email this to EOIfeerefund@mbie.govt.nz. Refunds for withdrawn EOIs are typically only issued before selection takes place, so it's better to withdraw an EOI if you do not meet the category requirements. |