Additions to the List of Qualifications Exempt from Assessment (LQEA)
Further updates to the List of Qualifications Exempt from Assessment (LQEA) have been announced, which will provide a streamlined visa pathway for applicants with overseas qualifications, from more countries. Immigration New Zealand is set to implement Phase 2 updates to the LQEA from 25 March 2024. Here’s what you need to know about the upcoming […]
Work to Residence Pathways Open on 29th September 2023
Immigration New Zealand has announced that the Green List and Sector Agreements Work to Residence pathways will open for residence visa applications from 29th September 2023. If you’ve got two years of eligible work experience in a Green List or Sector Agreement role in New Zealand and meet the necessary skill and wage thresholds, you […]
New median wage from February 2024
The New Zealand median wage will be increasing to NZ$36.61 per hour from February 2024 (currently NZ$29.66 per hour). This is going to impact a number of visas which have wage thresholds based on the median wage, including the Accredited Employer Work Visa, Skilled Migrant Category Visa, and some occupations in the Green List or […]
Final EOI selection for the current Skilled Migrant Category
The final selection of Expressions of Interest (EOIs) for the current Skilled Migrant Category will be taking place on 16th August 2023. EOIs can be submitted up until 23.59 on 15th August 2023 (New Zealand Time). Applicants will be invited to apply for residence under the current Skilled Migrant Category settings if their EOI is […]
Major changes to the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) Resident Visa
Immigration New Zealand have announced that they will be replacing the current Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) Resident Visa with a streamlined points system on 9 October 2023. Under the new settings, you must be able to claim 6 points to be eligible. If you wish to apply under the current SMC policy (and meet the current […]
Skilled Migrant Category is reopening
New Zealand Skilled Migrant Category is reopening After being suspended for the last couple of years, the Skilled Migrant Category is about to reopen. INZ will resume selections of expressions of interest (EOIs) for the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa on 9th November 2022. The future direction of the Skilled Migrant Category is being reviewed […]
New median wage threshold for Essential Skills and Skilled Migrant Visas
From 19th July 2021 Immigration will be using an updated median wage of NZD $27.00 per hour to assess Essential Skills and Skilled Migrant Visa applications (previously NZD $25.50 per hour). What does this mean for me? Essential Skills Work Visas To be granted a 3-year visa you will need to have a job or […]
Which visa categories are currently being processed?
Since moving into Level 2 Lock Down, Immigration New Zealand have been able to start to process more visa categories again. Currently 97% of onshore Immigration Officers are able to work, however all offshore offices remain closed. As a result, INZ have been able to resume the processing of residence class visa applications from Thursday […]