Leading HR & Immigration NZ Ltd

24/06/2022

Matariki ✨

The Māori New Year is a time to celebrate life, to remember those who’ve passed and to plan for the future.

2022 is the first year New Zealand has recognised and celebrated Matariki with a public holiday - we hope you have all had a wonderful day with your whānau and taken time to remember those who have passed.

13/05/2022

A very exciting and long awaited update!

New Zealand’s international border will reopen to all tourists and visa holders from 11.59pm, 31 July 2022.

Key dates -
*Online visitor visa applications reopen to Pacific Island Forum countries (excluding Australia) from 16 May
*Vaccinated travellers arriving under the Accredited Employer Work Visa category will be able to apply to New Zealand from 4 July 2022
*All other visa categories — including visitor and student visas wanting to travel to New Zealand, applications open from 31 July 2022.
*Cruise ships can enter New Zealand from 31 July 2022.

Please note some travellers will need to meet vaccination requirements to enter; You can find out more here: www.covid19.govt.nz/border-reopening

If you would like any assistance with your immigration journey please get in touch!

New Zealand's borders are reopening throughout 2022. Find out when travellers can enter New Zealand.

30/03/2022

New Zealand COVID-19 Travel Update

If you returning to New Zealand via air travel from 11:59pm 31 March 2022 everyone must complete the New Zealand Traveller Declaration (NZTD).

You will need to provide:

• Passport details
• Flight information
• Proof of vaccination – unless exempt
• Proof of a pre-departure test – unless exempt
• Travel history for 14 days prior to arriving in New Zealand
• Contact details in New Zealand
• Emergency contact details

Once your NZTD application has been processed, you will be issued a New Zealand Traveller Pass.

You will need to show your New Zealand Traveller Pass on check-in at the airport, and to New Zealand Customs when you arrive into New Zealand. It can be printed out or saved on your mobile device.

For more information please see:

Soon, anyone travelling to New Zealand by air will need to complete a New Zealand Traveller Declaration prior to departure.

12/03/2022

💥Working Holiday Visas💥

Immigration New Zealand have announced that at 10am on 14 March 2022, the following working holiday schemes will reopen to applications:

Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, United Kingdom, USA, Japan.

*There is no limit on the number of working holiday visas granted to people from these countries therefore applications can be made at any time.

*All other countries will open on a rolling basis between March and September 2022

This is an exciting move for New Zealand and if we can assist you with your immigration journey please get in touch! 🇳🇿

https://www.immigration.govt.nz/about-us/covid-19/border-closures-and-exceptions/when-you-can-apply-for-a-working-holiday-visa

18/01/2022

Although we’ve been a little quiet on social media we have been working hard for our clients!

A little late but welcome 2022 … we look forward to seeing how the year develops, helping clients with their immigration needs and keeping you all updated with anything from INZ!

24/11/2021

New Zealand borders will be starting to reopen from early 2022! See the key dates below and if we can assist you with your return or journey to New Zealand next year, please get in touch!

Key date 1
16 January 2022 at 11:59 pm: Fully vaccinated Kiwis and other eligible travellers can travel to NZ from Australia without staying in MIQ

Key date 2
13 February 2022 at 11:59 pm: Fully vaccinated Kiwis and other eligible travellers can travel to NZ from all other countries (except very high-risk countries) without staying in MIQ

Key date 3
30 April 2022 onwards: All fully vaccinated individuals will be able to travel to NZ without staying in MIQ; with this re-opening staged over time

29/09/2021

♦️Resident Visa 2021 ♦️

Today INZ has announced a new one-off residence pathway to assist a large number of work visa holders to remain in New Zealand permanently.

INZ stated “The 2021 Resident Visa recognises the immense contribution migrants have made to New Zealand during COVID-19 and the uncertainty they’ve faced with closed borders and necessary changes to immigration settings”

The 2021 Resident Visa will be available to those who have already submitted a resident visa applications under the Skilled Migrant Category and Residence from Work category and those who have submitted an SMC Expression of Interest, as well as many other work visa holders who may not have been eligible through the current skilled residence pathways.

The 2021 Resident visa will be open for applications in two phases, with the first group of people able to apply from 1 December 2021.

Please click on the link below to see if you may be eligible and please get in touch if you would like to know more or if we can assist you with your immigration journey!

This tool shows if you may be eligible for the 2021 Resident Visa.

05/09/2021

♦️INZ Update ♦️

With NZ currently operating under two different alert levels, INZ have announced its operation capability will increases next week

From next week, staff will be in most of Immigration New Zealand’s offices receiving and processing priority temporary visa application categories

INZ will redirect mail to offices outside the Auckland region to ensure applications can be lodged

Secondly, the Variation of Conditions (VOC) form is now online; if you submitted a VOC paper application before or during the Alert Level 4 nationwide lockdown that has not been acknowledged with an email, you can resubmit this online - The original paper application will be returned when staff become available and no fees will be charged for those paper applications.

If you have any questions or would like assistance with your immigration journey please get in touch with us!

https://www.immigration.govt.nz/new-zealand-visas/apply-for-a-visa/tools-and-information/general-information/variation-of-conditions-temporary-visas/varying-a-work-visa?

Some work visas come with conditions or rules about your employment. Find out if you can change these conditions.

06/08/2021

Essential Skills Update from INZ

From the 19th July -

🔺Immigration NZ will extend the maximum duration of an Essential Skills Visa from 12 months to 24 months, which apply to the job paid below the median wage

🔺For the roles paid the median wage or above, the duration of Essential Skills visas will still be the same, which is up to three years

🔺The Essential Skills Work Visa application process will be simplified for the applicants who remain in the same role for the same employer.

If you would like more information or assistance with your immigration journey, please get in touch with us!

25/06/2021

🔺Immigration NZ update🔺

Immigration NZ offshore visa processing has been suspended at this stage until until the 6th February 2022 - This impacts all applicants who are outside New Zealand, unless they meet the strict border exception criteria or are currently in a COVID-19 quarantine-free travel zone.

Please note the suspension can be lifted if the border restrictions change.

If you have any questions around border exception criteria or would like assistance with your immigration journey please get in touch with us!

Additional information can be found at the link below:

https://www.immigration.govt.nz/about-us/covid-19/border-closures-and-exceptions/entry-to-new-zealand/restrictions-on-visa-processing-outside-new-zealand?fbclid=IwAR0ZXJLqqwCcyq1FJKVAToOV0hQMPmdpYPjG5KKOGAsD7JUu9CdgnOxSQto

Temporary visa applications from outside New Zealand or a quarantine-free travel zone are currently suspended, unless you are exempt.

19/04/2021

Today officially marks the opening of the trans-Tasman bubble! 🥂

Check out the link below for all you need to know about travel to and from Australia!

https://covid19.govt.nz/travel-and-the-border/quarantine-free-travel/quarantine-free-travel-with-australia/travel-from-new-zealand-to-australia-quarantine-free-travel/