New Zealand Visa Support

07/07/2026

Another variation of conditions (VOC) for a high school student wanting to work!

A great result for a young Vietnamese student today! This application is one of the last few paper-based applications.

The student visa conditions have been successfully updated to allow up to 25 hours of work per week during the school term, plus full-time hours over the summer holiday breaks.

For high school students here in NZ, stepping into a part-time job is a fantastic milestone. It gives them real-world experience, a chance to practice their English daily, and the independence of earning their own money-which is always a massive help to families balancing everyday bills.

If your child is currently on a student visa in NZ and in year 12 or 13 and wants work conditions added or updated, get in touch. We can help ensure it is handled quickly.

Email me- [email protected]

29/06/2026

Fast-tracked variation of conditions (VOC) for high school student wanting to work!

Great result for a young student last week! This application was one of the last few paper-based variations processed, and Immigration New Zealand turned it around in under seven days.

The student visa conditions have been successfully updated to allow up to 25 hours of work per week during the school term, plus full-time hours over the summer holiday breaks.

For high school students here in NZ, stepping into a part-time job is a fantastic milestone. It gives them real-world experience, a chance to practice their English daily, and the independence of earning their own money-which is always a massive help to families balancing everyday bills.

If your child is currently on a student visa in NZ and needs their work conditions added or updated, get in touch. We can help ensure it is handled quickly.

I have a few client openings this week. Email me- [email protected]

23/06/2026

Another Visa Approved! 🎉
When you finish your studies in New Zealand, sometimes you just need a little extra time to officially graduate and map out your next course pathway. We recently assisted a client from Nepal who found himself in this exact situation, needing a Visitor Visa (General) to legally remain in NZ while wrapping up his transition. Moving from a student visa to a visitor visa can often raise questions with Immigration New Zealand, which is why providing robust evidence of being a genuine, bona fide applicant is absolutely vital. Thanks to a rock-solid submission, his visa was approved on 22 June 2026 without a single question asked-giving him until 8 October 2026 to finalise his plans.
If your student visa is ending and you need a strategic plan to bridge the gap, get in touch to ensure your next application is bulletproof!

25/05/2026

📢 Important NZ Immigration Update for Employers & Migrant Workers!

📢Starting 1 June 2026, Immigration New Zealand is extending the minimum English language requirements for the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV).

Currently, this requirement only applies to lower-skilled roles (Levels 4 and 5). However, it will now include Skill Level 3 occupations under both ANZSCO and the National Occupation List (NOL).

🔍 What are "Skill Level 3" jobs? These are typically mid-skilled or trade-level roles. Examples of affected occupations include:

Hospitality: Demi Chefs, Cooks, and mid-level Chefs.

Construction & Trade: Scaffolders, Timber Machinists, and Site Traffic Management Supervisors.

Agriculture & Manufacturing: Meat Boners/Cutters, Advanced Mobile Plant Operators, and Forklift Drivers (with specific experience).

Other Roles: Fitness Instructors and Peer Support Workers.

Key Details You Need to Know: The Standard: Applicants must show basic, everyday English (equivalent to an IELTS score of 4.0 or via citizenship/prior English study).

Existing Visas: If you already have an AEWV, you are not affected retrospectively. Your current visa remains valid.

Transitional Rules: If your current AEWV expires on or before 1 December 2026, you are exempt from this new rule when applying for your next Skill Level 3 visa.

Exemptions: This does not apply to Job Change applications, or Global/Peak Seasonal Visas.

What this means for employers: If you plan to recruit for Skill Level 3 roles from 1 June onwards, ensure your applicants are prepared to meet or prove these language requirements-even if your Job Check was approved before June 1!

Read the full government release here: https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/english-language-requirement-extended-aewv-skill-level-3-roles

15/05/2026

13/05/2026

It pays to double check the rules!
We just secured a student visa approval after challenging an incorrect request for a police certificate that would have been impossible to get within the one week deadline and cost my client hundreds of dollars.
We pointed out that under instruction A5.5, the certificate wasn't needed since the student had held student-class visas since arriving before age 17. The case officer acknowledged the oversight, apologised, and withdrew the request.
The approval came through today, 13 May 2026. Our client is now set to study in Auckland with work rights of up to 25 hours per week. Success!

29/04/2026

Huge result for our clients! Very happy to see this 5-year Accredited Employer Work Visa officially approved.

The application itself was straightforward since I have helped a lot of chefs over the years, but the processing timeline was a challenge. I stayed on top of it with regular follow ups and eventually reached out to a manager when the case officer went quiet.

By staying proactive and maintaining respectful communication with the department, we secured the result this employer and migrant deserved.

24/04/2026

It is excellent to see the New Zealand Visa Support community reaching almost 15,000 members this week. Whether you have recently joined us or have been following our updates for some time, we appreciate your trust in our firm.

Our team is currently focused on navigating the recent policy shifts to ensure our clients remain fully compliant.

Pictured is our Principal Advisor, Zaneta O'Hanlon, who leads our casework and strategic planning. While the team handles a high volume of electronic visa approvals and new filings, we remain committed to providing clear, accurate guidance in a complex immigration landscape.

If you have questions regarding how the April 20th changes impact your current status, feel free to leave a comment below and our team will provide further clarification. 👇

To all of you in New Zealand, we hope you have a wonderful long weekend ahead.

23/04/2026

Partnership Visas

To qualify for a partnership visa, living together is generally a requirement. I assist many couples who met online, and I always recommend spending as much time together in person as possible including meeting in other countries-before submitting an application. Often, a general visitor visa is the necessary first step. Followed by a partnership work visa then residency. 🥰