What is the current situation?

Currently people who have been issued an Essential Skills work visa can bring their children to New Zealand for the duration of their stay, without needing to meet any salary threshold.

What does a minimum income threshold category mean?

A minimum income threshold ensures a basic standard of living for temporary migrant families while they are in New Zealand. Temporary migrants are not eligible for government benefits, unlike residents who are eligible for standard benefits after two years.

Why change the instructions?

The intention is to ensure that temporary migrants have a minimum income in New Zealand to support their families.

How has the threshold been calculated?

The threshold has been calculated using the unemployment benefit, maximum accommodation supplement and family tax credit rate.

When did the change to the category come into effect?

It came into effect on 30 November 2009.

Who will be affected by the category change?

Anyone who:

• wants to bring their dependent children to New Zealand; and
• is applying for a temporary work visa under the Essential Skills category; and 
• has an annual income from salary or wages of under $33,675, and
• does not currently hold a temporary work visa in New Zealand.

Has there been a problem with the number of migrants coming to New Zealand with children and without enough money to support them?

There has been some media reporting of temporary migrant families living in undesirable conditions. This policy requirement will ensure that temporary migrant families at least have a specified minimum income.

Is this the same as other categories?

Currently there are no minimum income thresholds required to support dependent children in other temporary work categories. The following residence categories have minimum income thresholds for the principal applicant: 

• Pacific Access Category
• Samoan Quota and
• Sibling and Adult Child category.

Are these thresholds similar to that being introduced?

The new threshold is slightly higher than that required by the Pacific Access Category and Samoan Quota residence categories, reflecting that residents are eligible for standard government benefits after two years, whereas temporary migrants are not. The thresholds used in the Sibling and Adult Child category vary by number of dependent children.

Can the children of Essential Skills work visa holders come to New Zealand on short visits without their parent(s) meeting the minimum income threshold?

Yes, the minimum income requirement will not need to be met if the child is only visiting the parent(s). However, if the child was to stay for the duration of the Essential Skills work visa held by their parent(s) or to apply to study in New Zealand they would need to show that their parent(s) meets the minimum income threshold.