Frequently Asked Questions About Immigration to

Promoting growth, innovation, and fairness is the main objective of MBIE, a government ministry that influences New Zealand’s economic and social landscape. Its diverse responsibilities encompass economic development, innovation, employment, and immigration.

One of MBIE’s crucial functions is establishing New Zealand’s immigration policies and procedures, which involve processing visa applications and enforcing immigration laws. The ministry’s website is an important information hub for immigrants, providing updates on potential policy changes and a public consultation portal to voice their opinions.

A New Zealand student visa is a type of visa that allows individuals to study in New Zealand for a certain period. This visa is issued to foreign students who have been accepted into a New Zealand educational institution and plan to study full-time.

To obtain a New Zealand student visa, applicants must meet certain requirements, such as having a valid offer of a place from a New Zealand educational institution, having sufficient funds to support themselves during their stay, and meeting health and character requirements.

The duration of the visa depends on the length of the study program, and it may allow students to work part-time during their studies. After completing their studies, students may be eligible for a post-study work visa, which will enable them to work in New Zealand for a certain period to gain work experience related to their field of study.

To apply for a Skilled Migrant Category Residence Visa in New Zealand, you will need to follow these steps:

Check your eligibility: Before starting the application process, ensure you meet the eligibility criteria for the Skilled Migrant Category Residence Visa. You can check the eligibility requirements on the New Zealand Immigration website.

Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI): If you are eligible, the next step is to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through the Immigration New Zealand website. You must provide information about your skills, qualifications, work experience, and other details.

Receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA): After submitting your EOI, you will be placed in a pool of other applicants. If you meet the criteria and have enough points, you may receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for a Skilled Migrant Category Residence Visa.

Submit your application: Once you have received an ITA, you can start your visa application. You must provide supporting documents, such as your passport, medical certificates, police certificates, and proof of your qualifications and work experience. You will also need to pay the application fee.

Wait for a decision: After submitting your application, you must wait for a decision from Immigration New Zealand. This can take several months, and you may be asked to provide additional information or attend an interview.

Receive your visa: If your application is approved, you will receive your Skilled Migrant Category Residence Visa. You can then move to New Zealand and start your new life in this beautiful country.

It’s important to note that the Skilled Migrant Category Residence Visa is a points-based system, and the requirements may change occasionally. Therefore, it’s essential to check the latest information on the New Zealand Immigration website before starting your application.

The Accredited Employer Work Visa is a type of work visa that allows skilled workers to work for an accredited New Zealand employer for up to 30 months. To be eligible for this visa, the employer must be accredited by Immigration New Zealand, which means they have met certain requirements around employment and immigration laws, human resource practices, and workplace health and safety.

To apply for the Accredited Employer Work Visa, the applicant must have a job offer from an accredited employer and meet other eligibility criteria such as age, health, character, and English language proficiency. They may also need to provide evidence of their qualifications and work experience.

This visa can be a pathway to residency in New Zealand, as it may lead to eligibility for the Skilled Migrant Category residence visa, which allows individuals to live and work in New Zealand permanently.

The New Zealand Immigration Skilled Migrant Green List refers to a list of occupations in high demand in New Zealand and therefore are given priority when processing skilled migrant visa applications. The list is also known as the Long-Term Skill Shortage List (LTSSL).

The occupations on the Skilled Migrant Green List are considered to be in critical shortage in New Zealand, meaning there are not enough local workers to fill the demand. The list includes professionals such as doctors, engineers, IT professionals, and teachers.

If your occupation is on the Skilled Migrant Green List, it can increase your chances of being eligible for a skilled migrant visa and obtaining residence in New Zealand. However, meeting the eligibility criteria for a skilled migrant visa involves more than having a job on the Green List. You must meet specific requirements: age, health, character, English language proficiency, and work experience.

Immigration New Zealand offers several types of visitor visas, depending on the purpose and duration of the visit.

Visitor Visa: This visa is for people who want to come to New Zealand for a temporary visit for tourism, business, visiting family or friends, or other short-term purposes.

Group Visitor Visa: This visa is for groups of 10 or more people travelling together for the same purpose and duration.

Sponsored Family Visitor Visa: This visa is for people with family members or friends in New Zealand willing to sponsor their visit.

Business Visitor Visa: This visa is for people who want to visit New Zealand for business purposes, such as attending a conference or meeting, exploring business opportunities, or negotiating contracts.

Approved Destination Status (ADS) Visitor Visa: This visa is for people from certain countries travelling to New Zealand as part of a group tour organised by a registered travel agent.

Working Holiday Visa: This visa is for young people (aged 18-30 or 35, depending on the country) who want to come to New Zealand for up to 12 months and work while they are here.

Please note that the requirements and eligibility criteria for each type of visitor visa may differ, so it’s important to carefully read the information provided by Immigration New Zealand before applying.