New Zealand

       

Changes to New Zealand Immigration Policies in 2010:

• new rules to streamline the existing Work to Residence programme
• new skilled migrant visa
• new system to encourage skilled New Zealanders to return from overseas
• new policy to better match job shortages with skilled immigrants
• new legislation to allow employers to recruit overseas

The most important change is the introduction of a Silver Fern Visa for skilled migrants with a recognised qualification. The successful applicant is allowed to come to New Zealand temporary, seek permanent employment, gain a 24 month work permit and apply for residence under the Skilled Migrant Category.
The Silver Fern Visa is work visa granted to people who have a long term intention of remaining in New Zealand.

Basic criteria:
Age: up to 35
IELTS: 6.5 or better
Qualification: an equivalent of a New Zealand Bachelor Degree
Sufficient financial resources: NZD 4200 or more
Health requirements
Character requirements
Applications must be made off-shore

Skilled Migrant Category.

Migrants usually have to undertake a two stage process.
Points may be awarded for: age, skilled employment, recognised qualifications, recognised work experience, a job offer from a New Zealand employer, a New Zealand resident or citizen close family member, qualifications and skilled employment for spouse.
It is not mandatory to have a job offer.

Important terms:
Expression of Interest
Invitation to apply for Residence
Offer of skilled employment
Markets comparable to New Zealand's
Pass mark
Long Term Skills Shortage List
Immediate Skills Shortage List
Absolute Skills Shortage List
Identified Future Growth Area
Work to Residence

Business Investor.

The New Zealand immigration policy currently recognises two Business Investor categories:

Investor Plus.
This category of visas is for people with NZ$10 million who want to migrate to New Zealand and invest for 3 years. English language requirements do not apply. One of the requirements is to show how the funds were lawfully earned or acquired. Standard New Zealand character and health criteria do apply.

Investor.
The minimum amount of investment in this business category is NZ$1.5 million for 4 years. NZ points system, English language, health and character requirements do apply. The total net worth of applicants must be at least NZ$2.5 million.

Family Category.

Options:
Spouse, de facto partner, same sex partners, brother, sister, parent, child.
There are not age and English language requirements.

New Zealand welcomes around 52000 new immigrants each year. They all believe that New Zealand will continue to provide a successful opportunity and a stable and prosperous environment. Over 65% of households own their current home.

Official name: New Zealand
Population: 4 027 947 (March 2006)
Capital: Wellington
Other major centres: Auckland, Christchurch, Hamilton, Napier-Hastings, Dunedin
Immigrants: 23% of population were born overseas
Land: 270 500 sq km
Form of state: Parliament democracy
Founding document: the Treaty of Waitangi 1840
Head of state: Queen Elizabeth II, represented in New Zealand by a governor-general

Unemployment rate: 4.4%
Economy: budget surplus - 4.2% of GDP (2nd place in OECD)
Environment: Protected Areas as a percentage of national territory: 30% (4th place in OECD)

The average maximum temperature in summer: 20-30°C
The average maximum temperature in winter: 10-15°C

New Zealand was in 2006 ranked number twenty by the United Nations Human Development Index, as one of the best countries in the world to live in. The United Nations HDI is a standard means of measuring well-being.

1. Norway
2. Iceland
3. Australia

18. United Kingdom
19. Spain
20. New Zealand
21. Germany

Environmental Performance Index provides benchmark for environmental health, air quality, water resources, biodiversity and habitat, productive natural resources and sustainable energy:

1. New Zealand
2. Sweden
3. Finland

Global Peace Index shows levels of violence and organised crime within the country, military expenditure and other factors. The best placed countries are:

1. Norway
2. New Zealand
3. Denmark

All data valid: January 2009

Statistics:
Statistics New Zealand
Immigration New Zealand