Latest News
New Essential Skills work policy for overseas workers
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
The Government is introducing a new temporary work policy for overseas workers to protect lower-skilled local workers and encourage the recruitment of high-skilled overseas workers. The new Essential Skills policy will replace the current General work policy from 28 July 2008, and will see applications for work permits in lower-skilled and higher-skilled occupations treated differently.
Skilled Migrant Category additional selection criteria maintained
Monday, July 14, 2008
The additional criteria for selecting Expressions of Interest (EOIs) from the Skilled Migrant Category Pool (the Pool) for the six months from 1 August 2008 have been set. The criteria will remain the same as in the previous six-month period.
New Zealand Residence Programme for 2008/2009
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
The number of places available to migrants under the New Zealand Residence Programme (NZRP) is reviewed by Cabinet each year. During the 2008/09 financial year the NZRP will be set at 45,000-50,000 places – the same level as last year.
Fees will change on 28 July 2008
Friday, July 04, 2008
Some of the fees that Immigration New Zealand charges applicants for visas and permits will be changing on 28 July 2008.
China student visa Funds Transfer Scheme extended
Monday, June 16, 2008
Following the successful pilot in Beijing of the new Funds Transfer Scheme, the scheme has now been extended to include twelve provinces and two municipalities, effective May 2008.
Residence seminars in 2008
Monday, May 12, 2008
Christchurch branch holds residence information seminars every week on Wednesday afternoons at 3.00pm. The seminars usually last for around one hour. The seminars are for people who would like to apply for residence in New Zealand and want to know more about the policy and process involved. The dates scheduled for the seminars are as follows:
Korea Working Holiday Scheme full
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
The 1500 places available under the Korea Working Holiday Scheme for the year to 31 March 2009 have been filled.
New Zealand–China Free Trade Agreement (FTA)
Monday, April 07, 2008
The New Zealand–China Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is a treaty between New Zealand and China that liberalises and facilitates trade in goods and services, improves the business environment and promotes cooperation between the two countries in a broad range of economic areas.
Changes to ESOL requirements
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
From 31 March 2008 applicants under the Skilled Migrant or Business categories who have pre-purchased English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) tuition will now have up to five years to take up the tuition.
Additions to list of regions with a seasonal labour shortage
Friday, March 28, 2008
The Ministry of Social Development has declared the Western Bay of Plenty District Council and Tauranga City Council areas as regions of seasonal labour shortage in the horticultural and viticulture industries. This is effective from 25 March 2008 until further notice.
Minister of Immigration announces new transit visa policy
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
The Minister of Immigration has announced today that on 28 March 2008 a new transit visa policy will come into effect. A copy of the media release can be found at the official New Zealand Government website.
Changes to Transitioning to Recognised Seasonal Employer Policy
Friday, February 22, 2008
The Transitioning to Recognised Seasonal Employer (TRSE) policy was put in place in November 2007 to assist employers in the horticulture and viticulture industries that were not yet ready to apply for full Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) status.
Changes to the Skilled Migrant Category effective 4 February
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Changes to the Skilled Migrant Category which were deferred in November 2006 will be introduced on 4 February. The changes primarily affect the way in which we assess whether an applicant's job or job offer is 'skilled employment', and which qualifications we recognise.