Visa deadlines – don’t miss out!

The Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) closes at 11.59pm on Tuesday, 15 August 2023. There is a limited window before this category closes for anyone who wants to lodge an Expression of Interest.

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The new SMC will not open until Monday, 9 October 2023. The threshold to qualify for residence under new SMC rules will be much higher and comes with a revamped points system and completely different set of requirements. Don’t assume if you qualify now for 180 points that you will qualify for 6 points (new “pass mark”) under the revised SMC.

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Do you have plans to travel overseas during the 2023/24 Christmas holidays? If you do, now is the time to check your Resident Visa is valid for your re-entry date. People who were approved residence under the 2021 Resident Visa category in December 2021 will have travel conditions expiring in December 2023. Now is the time for this group to get prepared to apply for their Permanent Resident Visas.  

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Family, friends, or colleagues planning to visit New Zealand during December 2023 or January 2024? If they require a Visitor Visa to enter New Zealand, then now is the time to prepare and lodge visa applications. Immigration NZ shortly enter their busy processing season and they are already under pressure with existing visa applications. Any delay in lodging a visa application may result in flights being missed or cancelled. Apply early to ensure you and your loved ones have a happy Christmas.

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Work Visa applications for partners of migrant’s workers (i.e. where the migrant worker holds a job specific work visa) are facing processing delays of 10 to 11 weeks. This is due to the rush of partner work visa applications lodged before a tougher set of criteria came into effect on 31 May. If you want to work in New Zealand alongside your partner, apply early.

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We have noticed people applying for the wrong type of visa as Immigration NZ make changes to the online visa system. It can be confusing and just ticking the wrong box can have unintended consequences. Take advice to get it right.

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Anyone in New Zealand holding a temporary visa that is due to expire before 31 January 2024 and wants to stay longer should move forward now to apply for an extension. There is nothing worse than going into the holiday season not knowing if your visa will be approved or not. Avoid the stress and high cost that comes with leaving your visa renewal to the last minute.  

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Contact Malcolm Pacific Immigration for immigration advice regarding your personal situation. We have the largest team of licensed immigration advisers in the country on standby ready to help you.

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