The NZ border is currently shut to non-residents and citizens overseas. However, in some cases, partners and family members of NZ residents, citizens, or temporary visa holders may be exempt from travel restrictions.
Do you have family members stuck overseas? Here are the visa options that allow your loved ones to join you in NZ.
The NZ Dependent Child Visa category helps ensure that dependent children and their parents do not stay separated, which is essential during these uncertain times we are living in. But what is considered a ‘dependent child’ to qualify for a visa?
Immigration NZ classifies a ‘dependent child’ as a person who is dependent on their parents for financial support, is not married, and has no children of their own. Overseas dependent children whose parents are in New Zealand may be exempt from border restrictions because they are viewed as having a critical purpose to travel.
There are different categories that dependent children can apply under to join their parents in New Zealand. If your child is applying for a temporary visa, they must be 19 years old or younger. To apply, they must first submit a request to travel and provide a legitimate reason for travel. These reasons may include:
If you want your child to join you in NZ as a resident, the visa requirements will be slightly different. For example, the dependent child must not be older than 24 and in some cases needs to prove financial dependence to a high degree. For more information about requirements and eligibilities for dependent child visas, get in touch with a licensed immigration adviser for New Zealand visa assistance.
Partners of NZ residents and citizens may also be exempt from border restrictions if they meet the requirements set by Immigration NZ. Before applying for a visa under the Partnership Category, it’s important to have a good understanding of what constitutes a partnership.
Immigration NZ defines a partnership as two people who are either legally married, in a civil union, or in a de facto relationship. The relationship must be proven to be “genuine” through documentary evidence such as marriage certificates, joint rental agreements, joint bank accounts etc. The couple must be living together in a relationship that is considered by an Immigration Officer to be genuine and stable. Visa applications under partnership are often difficult to navigate and will require the assistance of an experienced immigration adviser to make sure nothing goes wrong.
With the NZ Partnership Visa, partners of NZ residents or citizens may be able to gain residence in New Zealand. While many visas remain suspended due to Covid-19, this category remains open in an effort to keep partners and families together. To apply for a visa, the partner must first request permission to travel and state their reason for wanting to enter NZ. These reasons are similar to those of the dependent child visa—for example, you are the partner of a registered teacher in NZ, a critical health worker, a highly-skilled worker or a NZ citizen or resident. If you are already the holder of a valid Partnership Visa, you will be eligible to travel to NZ.
Don’t know which visa is right for you or your family member? We know that NZ Immigration rules are complex and confusing. Here at Malcolm Pacific Immigration, it is our goal to make the process easier for you and your loved ones. Get in touch with our team today for reliable visa assistance and keep an eye on our news page for regular updates on NZ Immigration.
Our highly experienced licensed Immigration team will take away the stress and worry of navigating the complicated world of New Zealand Immigration. All you need to do is get in touch. Our team is on standby, ready to help.
Our highly experienced licensed Immigration team will take away the stress and worry of navigating the complicated world of New Zealand Immigration. All you need to do is get in touch. Our employer team is on standby, ready to help.
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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.
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.
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 24 February 2020
From 7 October 2019
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.
From 1 November 2021
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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:
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:
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:
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.
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.
*Excludes high-risk countries.
*Excludes high-risk countries.
The work visa categories set to close are:
In order to address labour shortages in New Zealand's crucial industries the NZ government has implemented a "Green List" of sought-after high-skill occupations. This list offers a prioritised pathway to residency.
There are qualification and/or occupational registration requirements to meet. Occupations are broken down into two tiers:
The recent additions in May 2023 across many sectors on the Green List NZ can be found here