New Zealand

• Immigration System

New Zealand offers a formalized immigration system established under the Immigration Act of 1987. The purpose of the policies implemented by the New Zealand Immigration Service is to contribute to New Zealand's economic and social well-being. This is done through the implementation of legislation, under the Act, and various policies facilitating the entry of visitors, workers and immigrants, whilst minimizing risks and maximizing the contribution of growth and enhancement of New Zealand's economy and culture.

The flow of people in and out of New Zealand is ever increasing which is why New Zealand currently has over 10 visa-processing branches throughout the country, and 14 branches outside of New Zealand. The number of places available for new migrants per year is approximately 45,000 of which the majorities come from Asia and Great Britain.

Residence status in New Zealand entitles you to live, study and work indefinitely. Certain people do not need to apply for residence to live in New Zealand, including Australian citizens and permanent residents holding valid Australian resident return visas. After being a permanent resident of New Zealand for three years you can apply to become a New Zealand citizen, enjoying the benefits of a New Zealand passport for foreign travel.

The objective of the General Skill category is to select migrants who will increase New Zealand's human capital and foster international links. This category is a point-based system based on a number of factors such as qualifications, work experience, language and age. Applications that are successful are those that score sufficient points to meet the pass mark.

The objective of the Business Category is to attract migrants who will contribute to New Zealand's human capital, encouraging enterprise and innovation and fostering international links. Categories under this visa class include:

Investor Category – this operates on a points based system, where points are awarded for your age, business experience and investment funds. Your application will only be successful if you score sufficient points to meet the pass mark.

Entrepreneur Category – this is for those who have successfully established a business in New Zealand for a period of at least two years.

Long Term Business Visa/Permit – you may apply for a Long Term Business Visa/Permit if you are interested in applying for residence under the Entrepreneur Category. You may also apply under this category if you are interested in establishing a business in New Zealand but do not wish to live permanently in New Zealand.

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Employees of Relocating Businesses – You may apply under the Employees of Relocating Businesses category if you are a key employee of a business relocating to New Zealand. This category is set up to assist the promotion of New Zealand as a place in which to invest and locate business, by facilitating the granting of residence to employees of business relocating to New Zealand.

The objective of Family Category Policy is to strengthen families and communities, while reinforcing the Government's overall objectives in immigration policy.

The Family Category is available to you if you:

• are in a genuine and stable marriage or de facto relationship (whether heterosexual or same sex) with a New Zealand citizen or resident who sponsors their application;
• have immediate family members who are New Zealand citizens or residents and who live permanently in New Zealand; and
• are the dependent children of New Zealand citizens or residents.

The Immigration Act, 1987 also allows for the admission of temporary workers, students and visitors.

New Zealand welcomes many thousands of workers every year. Some come only for a short time, whilst others eventually make New Zealand their home. Work visas are issued to those that meet the general work policy by filling gaps in the labour market. They can also be issued to those who have family ties with New Zealand, or to facilitate those requiring protection or humanitarian assistance.

New Zealand's student policy facilitates the entry of foreign students in order to foster the development of international links as well as mutual goodwill and understanding through reciprocal exchange schemes. This leads to the enhanced quality of New Zealand's educational services.

The many immigration success stories demonstrate that immigration is adding to New Zealand's overall prospects for employment and growth, and contributing to the richness and diversity of its communities.

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• Immigration Service

People wishing to migrate to New Zealand may gain residence under one of the following categories. Applications are considered on the basis of whether the Principal Applicant meets the policy criteria. The principal applicant may include their partner and dependent children in their application. All applicants must meet health and character requirements.

Principal applicants under the General Skills category must meet a specified standard of English to be granted residence. Business and non-principal applicants over the age of 16 must pre-purchase English Language Tuition if they do not meet the English Language requirements.

2.1 General Skills Category

50 to 55% of all new migrants to New Zealand come in under the General Skills Category. This operates on a point system linked to a pass mark. The current point pass mark is 30 and this is reviewed on a monthly basis. All applicants aged 16 years and over must provide evidence of a reasonable command of the English language of which an IELTS test may be required. An overall band score of 5 is the minimum IELTS score accepted for immigration purposes under this category.

The Point System

• Age

18 – 24 8 points
25 – 29 10 points
30 – 34 8 points
35 – 39 6 points
40 – 44 4 points
45 – 49 2 points

If you are 56 years of age or over, at the time that your application is received for residence, your application cannot be approved.

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• Qualification

You must score a minimum of 10 points for your qualification. The maximum number of points you can score is 12. If you qualification does not appear on the List of Recognized Qualification then you qualification will need to be assessed by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA). The numbers of points awarded for your qualification depend on where you application sits on the NZIS Qualifications Table, as follows:

Level Category

A B C D

8 12 points 11 points - -

7 11 points 10 points 11 points -

6 - - 10 points -

5 - - 10 points 11 points

4 - - - 10 points

3 - - 10 points

2 - - - -

1 - - - -

Category A qualifications – normally involve study and directed research, leading to an advanced degree at a University. They are academic in nature and may not necessarily educate for particular vocation or profession.

Category B qualifications – are usually warded following a degree level course. Once again, they tend to be academic in nature and may not educate for any particular vocation or profession.

Category C qualifications – usually prepare for enrollment in a specific vocation or occupation and quite often require industrial experience.

Category D qualifications – are intended to teach a craft or trade and are closely aligned to the New Zealand apprenticeship system. They are usually designed to provide the manual foundation skills necessary for construction, service or repair of an item.

It is important to note that if you are claiming points for a qualification required for employment in an occupation that requires registration in New Zealand then you will be required to obtain full or provisional registration (whichever allows you to practice in New Zealand) prior to the lodgment of an application.

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• New Zealand Qualifications

You can claim 2 points if you have completed a New Zealand qualification.

• Work Experienced

You must score a minimum of 1 point for your work experience. 1 point is awarded for every 2 years work experience up to a maximum of 10 points. In most instances, work experience must be relevant to the qualification for which you have obtained points. It must also be experience where you worked for a minimum of 30 hours a week. Part time work can be calculated on a pro rata basis.

• Relevant offer of employment

If you have a genuine offer of relevant employment you can be awarded 8 points. The offer of employment must be either relevant to your qualification or work experience.

2 points can be awarded for a non-relevant offer of employment as long as the offer of employment is genuine.

• Settlement Funds

You may score a maximum of 2 points for settlement funds. These funds must be transferred to New Zealand within 6 months from the date of the application is approved, before residence is granted. These funds must be free from debt.

NZ$100,000 1 point

NZ$200,000 2 points

• New Zealand Work Experience

You can claim an additional 2 points for work experience gained lawfully in New Zealand as follow:

1 year 1 point

2 years 2 points

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• Spouse/De facto Partner's Qualification

You can claim up to two points for your spouse or partner's qualification. The points awarded will depend on where the qualification sits on the NZIS qualification table.

Level Category

A B C D

8 2 points 2 points - -

7 2 points 1 point 2 points -

6 - - 1 point -

5 - - 1 point 2 points

4 - - - 1 point

3 - - - 1 point

2 - - - -

1 - - - -

• Family Sponsorship

You can claim three points for a family sponsorship if you or your spouse or partner included in your application has a parent, adult brother, sister or adult child in New Zealand who is prepared to sponsor you. Your sponsor must ensure financial support or accommodation is provided if necessary for the first 24 months. The sponsor must:

• be over 17 years
• be in New Zealand
• be a New Zealand or Australian citizen or the holder of a New Zealand resident permit
• been in New Zealand for a period of three years immediately prior to your application.

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2.2 Business Migration

The categories under Business Migration are for those who have funds to invest in New Zealand or wish to establish and work in the business in New Zealand. The categories include:

• Investor Category

This is a point system based on age, business experience and investment capital, with the minimum investment requirement of NZ$1,000,000. The present pass mark is 12. Points are awarded as follows:

Age Points Business Experience Points Investment Points

25-29 10 2 years 1 1,000,000 1

30-34 9 4 years 2 1,500,000 2

35-39 8 6 years 3 2,000,000 3

40-44 6 8 years 4 2,500,000 4

45-49 4 10 years 5 3,000,000 5

50-54 2 - - 3,500,000 6

55-64 0 - - 4,000,000 7

65-74 - 2 - - 4,500,000 8

75-84 - 4 - - 5,000,000 9

If approved for residence under this category then your investment must remain in New Zealand for a minimum of 2 years.

• Long Term Business Visa (Temporary visa)

It is intended that entry under this category will lead to residence under the Entrepreneur category. Applicants will be required to submit a satisfactory business plan and have sufficient funds, in addition to the investment capital, for personal maintenance, and meet health and character requirements. The business plan should cover the following:

• an outline of the proposed business and its viability
• financial information
• business experience
• knowledge of the New Zealand market.

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3. Entrepreneur Category

This is for those people who have successfully established a business in New Zealand. You can be considered to have successfully established a business in New Zealand if you:

• have purchased or made a substantial investment (minimum 25% shareholding) in a business operating in New Zealand
• the business has been established at least two years
• the applicant has been lawfully self employed in New Zealand for at least two years
• the business is benefiting New Zealand, e.g. through the introduction of new technology or the creation of job opportunities.

4. Employees of Relocating Businesses

This category facilitates the granting of residence to employees of business relocating to New Zealand. Key employees of these businesses who do qualify for residence under any other category may be granted residence on a case-by-case basis.

• Family Category

The family category is available to those who:

• are in a genuine and stable marriage or de facto relationship (heterosexual or same sex) with a New Zealand citizen or resident who sponsors their application
• who have immediate family members who are New Zealand citizens or residents and who live permanently in New Zealand
• are dependent children of New Zealand citizens or residents

1, Spouse or De Facto Partner

Their New Zealand partner or spouse must sponsor all applicants under this category. They must be in a genuine relationship, and in order to determine this, applicants and their New Zealand sponsor may be required to undergo an interview.

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2. Parents

You may be granted residence under this category if you are the parent of an adult child aged 17 years or over who is a New Zealand resident or citizen; and the ‘centre of gravity' of your family is in New Zealand.

• Sibling and Adult Child