Latest News
New Zealand Residence Programme 2009/10
Thursday, 2 July 2009
The New Zealand Residence Programme (NZRP) contains permanent residence goals set by Government to meet New Zealand’s ongoing skills requirements and humanitarian commitments. The number of places available to migrants for each year ending 30 June under the NZRP is reviewed by Cabinet each year.
Annual Global Visa and Permit Survey
Tuesday, 30 June 2009
We have emailed a survey invitation to a number of recent visa and permit applicants. The Annual Global Visa and Permit Survey asks visa and permit applicants questions about their application experience.
Long Term Skill Shortage List (LTSSL) biannual review
Tuesday, 30 June 2009
The biannual review of the LTSSL, which is administered by the Department of Labour, sees eight occupations removed from the list. The list comprises occupations deemed to be in long term shortage in the New Zealand labour market.
Immediate Skill Shortage List (ISSL) biannual review
Friday, 12 June 2009
The biannual review of the ISSL, which is administered by the Department of Labour, sees 44 occupations removed from the list. The list comprises occupations deemed to be in immediate short term shortage in the New Zealand labour market.
Immigration Advisers Licensing Act effective today (UPDATED)
Monday, 4 May 2009
From 4 May 2009 anyone who provides immigration advice in New Zealand must have a licence from the Immigration Advisers Authority, unless they are exempt from the requirement to hold a licence. From 4 May 2009, Immigration New Zealand will refuse to accept applications from unlicensed onshore advisers.
Forms updated for Immigration Advisers Licensing Act
Wednesday, 15 April 2009
We have added questions to several of our forms in order to collect more information about immigration advisers, in preparation for the implementation of the Immigration Advisers Licensing Act on 4 May 2009.
Effects of Immigration Advisers Licensing Act
Thursday, 2 April 2009
From 4 May 2009, the Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007 requires that anyone who provides immigration advice in New Zealand must have a licence from the Immigration Advisers Authority, unless they are exempt from the requirement to hold a licence. From 4 May 2009, Immigration New Zealand will refuse to accept applications from unlicensed onshore advisers. From 4 May 2010, offshore advisers giving advice to people seeking visas or permits will also have to be licensed.
Immigration New Zealand Contact Centre in India
Monday, 2 March 2009
Immigration New Zealand, New Delhi branch has appointed TT Services to manage a Contact Centre to support Immigration New Zealand in India with effect from 2 March 2009.
Changes to licensing of onshore immigration advisers
Friday, 13 February 2009
Immigration New Zealand is about to introduce changes to our processes, operational policy, and systems (including the Expression of Interest and Working Holiday Schemes Online) to enable all immigration branches to identify unlicensed onshore advisers from 4 May 2009.
Extension for Pacific Quota applications
Friday, 19 December 2008
People from Samoa, Tonga, Kiribati and Tuvalu who were successful in this year's ballots under the Samoan Quota Scheme (SQS) and Pacific Access Category (PAC) will have an extra month to apply for residence in New Zealand.
Fees changes for applications lodged outside New Zealand
Friday, 19 December 2008
The fees that Immigration New Zealand charges for immigration services will change on 12 January 2009. The changes will only affect payments made outside New Zealand, not payments made in New Zealand dollars.
Implementation of update to skill shortage lists postponed
Monday, 13 October 2008
The results of the biannual review of the Essential Skills in Demand Lists (the Long Term Skill Shortage List and the Immediate Skill Shortage List) were scheduled to come into effect on 1 December 2008. Although the review is going ahead, the updated lists will not come into effect until 3 March 2009.
Change of receiving office in Brazil
Wednesday, 24 September 2008
From 1 October 2008 the Consulate General in Sao Paulo will no longer accept temporary entry applications for Immigration New Zealand. The New Zealand embassy in Brasilia will be processing these applications instead.
New Zealand–China Free Trade Agreement (FTA)
Monday, 7 April 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, 1 April 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 Transit Visa Country Waiver list
Tuesday, 1 April 2008
On Friday 4 April 2008 Colombia and Peru will be added to the Transit Visa Country Waiver list. Citizens from these countries will not require a transit visa for New Zealand.
Additions to list of regions with a seasonal labour shortage
Friday, 28 March 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, 26 March 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, 22 February 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, 31 January 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.
Information leaflet on sanctions against Fiji
Thursday, 26 July 2007
Since the coup in December 2006, New Zealand has imposed a number of sanctions against Fiji. A leaflet explaining what these sanctions are is available to download now.
Page Last Updated: 24 Nov 2008