Because New Zealand is an island nation that has never been connected to any major landmass, we have unique flora and fauna and an absence of some diseases and organisms that are common elsewhere in the world. We also have an economy in which agriculture is important and benefits to the extent of billions of dollars from the absence of those diseases and organisms. Put those two things together, and you have a situation that most people in the world are not used to. New Zealanders really do care about, and we do really take seriously the importation of living organisms and any product that might contain diseases, including diseases of animals, plants and even insects.
With that background, please don’t be surprised when we tell you that bringing your cat or dog may not be straightforward, may incur significant costs and may require a period of quarantine.
When you arrive:
Before travelling to New Zealand or shipping possessions, do some research. We have provided some useful links and an overview. Talk to a customs/shipping agent as early as possible to understand NZ regulations and to avoid disappointment or expensive mistakes.
Ministry of Primary Industries
The thought of moving house can be a worry, but in practice it will work out fine if you discipline yourself to approach things logically. You are not the first. Every month thousands do it successfully. The prospect of what might happen is far worse than the reality of what will happen when you follow this simple advice.
The difference in price between professionals and price-cutters is just not worth it. Only deal with recommended major removalists. Trying to reduce costs by “helping out’ or “pre-packing some stuff” does not work either. The professionals will arrive with all the right people, equipment and skills, and you will be amazed at how seamlessly they turn the chaos of your home into a logical process of “pack and ship”. They do it every day, and nothing in your situation will surprise, confuse or embarrass them. Just hand your house over and leave it to them.
That even refers to your favourite old broken wooden spoon. The removal cost will not be greatly influenced by any attempt to cull out “old stuff”. But everything you cull will have to be replaced with scarce dollars when you arrive. Plus, having your “old stuff” around you will be a great comfort as you settle in. That especially applies to kids favourite possessions, no matter how tatty.
Everything is available in New Zealand, and guarantees and spare parts could become difficult for “orphan” products.
Do give thought to buying some “souvenirs of home”; of the sort, tourists might buy, but which you would not have normally considered. When you have settled in New Zealand, you will be surprised at how much you enjoy the sketch of your local cathedral or framed photo of your local mountain.
With the exception of very small children, there is no point cluttering your “on board” baggage with comforting items. International travel can be hell. There are weight restrictions, security procedures and whatever you do, living out of suitcases is going to be something you just have to live through. The comfort of old possessions will come when your removalist delivers your goods to your new home.
When you want help with immigration, don’t forget to come back to us!
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From September 2022 people holding job offers in a small number of occupations may apply for residence. Some occupations are a direct pathway to residence and others require a period of two years or longer before applying.
There are qualification and/or occupational registration requirements to meet. Establishing if an overseas qualification matches the NZ equivalent qualification before applying is paramount for success.
The work visa categories set to close are:
*Excludes high-risk countries.
*Excludes high-risk countries.
A small number of critical health workers (taking up jobs for six months or longer) or specialist workers (taking up jobs that are for longer than six months) who were granted border exemptions may also have eligibility for the 2021 Resident Visa. They will need to have arrived in NZ and lodge a 2021 Resident Visa application.
The government has introduced a limited pathway to residence for people who are already living and working in New Zealand. Applications open on 1 December 2021 for the first wave of people eligible to apply. The second wave opens on 1 March 2022. The deadline to apply for the 2021 Resident Visa is 31 July 2022.
People who were lawfully in NZ (or in Australia when the travel bubble closed between April and July 2021) on 29/09/2021 need to meet the visa eligibility criteria:
Is this the only requirement to qualify for residence? No. In addition to the eligible work visa criteria workers also need to be regarded as one of the following:
The first group of workers who can apply online for the 2021 Resident Visa that opens on 1 December 2021 are those that on 29/09/2021:
The second group of workers who can apply online for the 2021 Resident Visa that opens on 1 March 2022 are those who hold an eligible work visa and either meet "Settled", "Skilled" or "Scarce" as set out above. In total Immigration NZ estimate around 110,000 people will qualify to apply for this visa.
The first wave of applicants can apply from 1 December 2021. Around 16,000 applications are expected in this first wave. The second wave opens on 1 March 2022. In total, the government expects approximately 110,000 applications that will include about 165,000 people.
Wednesday, 1 December is fast approaching and it is estimated that around 16,000 individuals and families can apply in the first wave for the 2021 Resident Visa opening next month. It is exciting for the thousands of people who have been waiting patiently to become residents that finally the finish line is in sight.
Applications for employer accreditation closed at the end of June 2021. Applications lodged before the closure date are still being processed. New applications for accreditation open on 9 May 2022. The process will be quite different to what employers have experienced in the past. Businesses will need to meet minimum standards.
From 1 November 2021 anyone who is not a NZ citizen must be fully vaccinated (unless exempt) before travelling to New Zealand. Fully vaccinated means your last dose of vaccine was given at least 14 days before travelling and it was an approved vaccine.
From 1 November 2021
The government recently added more occupations that are now to be regarded as skilled employment and may qualify for job offer points under the Skilled Migrant Category. In order to qualify for points, the job must be paying at least the current median wage (or higher for certain occupations) at the time the residence application is lodged.
Today the government announced a pathway to residence for people living and working in New Zealand. Applications open on 1 December 2021 for the first wave eligible to apply. The second wave can apply from 1 March 2022. The deadline to lodge an application is 31 July 2022 or else you miss the boat.
Today the government announced a pathway to residence for migrant workers who are living and working in New Zealand. Applications open on 1 December 2021 for the first wave who are eligible to apply. The second wave can apply from 1 March 2022. The deadline to lodge an application is 31 July 2022 or else they will miss out on this one off opportunity.
The government has moved the introduction of the new employer accreditation process across to mid-2022. At the same time, the Minister of Immigration announced new work visa rules for migrant workers who are already in New Zealand and working full time.
The government has increased the median wage to $27 per hour from 19 July. Any Skilled Migrant residence application lodged after this date will need to include a skilled job offer that pays at least $27 per hour. For some lower-skilled occupations, the minimum pay rate increases to $40.50 per hour.
From 19 July 2021
From 30 June 2021
Employers of migrant workers must become accredited from 1 November 2021 before work visa applications can be processed. Most employers are not accredited. Those that are accredited will have to roll into the new system when it goes live in late September.
From mid-2020 (delayed)
Skilled occupation "Dairy Cattle Farmer" spilt into three occupations. New occupations are: "Dairy Farm Manager", "Assistant Dairy Farm Manager" and "Dairy Herd Manager". Each sit at different skill levels, therefore, the award of points will depend on pay rates, job tasks and other requirements.
From 15 February 2021
The government has deferred the fortnightly selection of Expressions of Interest from the Skilled Migrant pool for six months (to be reviewed in April 2021). Invitations to Apply for Residence remain suspended. The last selection from the Skilled Migrant pool took place on 18/03/2020.
From 7 October 2020
The government added four new occupations that are now regarded as skilled employment and may qualify for job offer points under the Skilled Migrant Category. These are:
Aged or disabled carer, Bicycle mechanic, Driller and Nursing Support worker.
From 27 July 2020
Anyone invited by Immigration NZ to apply for residence under the Skilled Migrant Category where their invitation is dated between 1 November 2019 and 15 April 2020 (inclusive) has now been granted an additional six months to lodge their residence application.
From 27 May 2020
The government has deferred the fortnightly selection of Expressions of Interest from the Skilled Migrant pool. This means Invitations to Apply for Residence are also suspended. Malcolm Pacific Immigration does not anticipate selections to resume until after the general election held on 17 October 2020.
Immigration NZ is now prioritising Skilled Migrant Residence applications where the main (principal) applicant meets the criteria:
From 7 October 2019
From 24 February 2020