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The Pearson PTE Academic English test is changing
Pearson PTE has announced three changes to their PTE Academic English test. The English language test provider says its making the changes to ensure that the PTE Academic the most convenient, stress-free English test available.
In our opinion, the planned changes coming into effect on the 16th of November are certainly positive.
You can read more about the changes below:
1. A shorter test
The PTE Academic is reducing in length from three hours to a more convenient two hours.
The format of the test is not changing!
You’ll still get tested on the same English skills, and you’ll still get asked the same types of questions. Pearson PTE will also continue to use the same scoring scale. You’ll just have fewer questions to answer.
Why is Pearson PTE changing the test length?
Pearson PTE wants to make their PTE Academic the most convenient choice for test-takers. Through extensive testing, Pearson PTE found that reducing the number of questions could improve the efficiency of PTE Academic with no impact on test scores or quality.
2. Enhanced score report feedback
You’ll get a new personalized “skills profile” alongside your PTE Academic score report with additional feedback on your performance. This feedback will also include suggestions for how to improve.
3. At-home English tests
PTE Academic will offer an Online test option that you can do at home. However, PTE Academic Online is unfortunately not recognised for visa and immigration purposes.
When would you take an English test?
English tests assess your English language skills for some New Zealand visas. Where the test applies, Immigration New Zealand requires you to attain a satisfactory score to prove that your English skills meet their requirements.
How do I prepare for an English test?
There are four ways in which you can ensure you do your best in an English test:
- Understand the test format
- You’ll get tested on your listening, reading, writing and speaking skills.
- Practice with sample tests
- You’ll be able to familiarise yourself with the test format, experience the types of tasks you’ll have to do, test yourself under timed conditions, and review your answers and compare them with model answers.
- Work with an English language teacher
- English language teachers will introduce you to the test format, take you through sample tests, give feedback, and focus on your developmental areas.
- Know what to expect on test day
- Find out how long your test will be and what you’ll need to take with you to the testing centre.
You can read more about these strategies on our blog.
Stay up to date with the latest immigration news
Join our newsletter to be the first to know about changes that affect your immigration to New Zealand. You only need to submit your email address and you can unsubscribe at any time. Sound good? Then click here.
- Published in Latest posts, New Zealand Immigration Advice, News
The New Zealand government has created several border exceptions in the past couple of months to allow skilled workers into the country.
The latest border exceptions are for six occupations ranging from horticultural mobile plant operators to sheep shearers.
Agricultural and Horticultural mobile plant operators
For the 2021/22 season, up to 125 agricultural and horticultural mobile plant operators can be nominated for assessment by New Zealand employers.
To be eligible for nomination, overseas workers must:
- have at least three seasons’ experience as agricultural or horticultural mobile plant operators,
- have the relevant vehicle licensing qualifications,
- work under an approved contract agreement in a fulltime role with specified rural contract operators, and
- earn at or above the median wage per year.
Mixed and large animal veterinarians
Up to 30 veterinarians may enter New Zealand to work under the border exception created for this occupation. Vets must hold the qualifications and experience necessary for licensing and registration with the Veterinary Council of New Zealand to qualify for this border exception.
Shearers
Up to 40 foreign shearers contracted by or through a New Zealand Shearers Contractor’s Association (NZSCA) employer and with more than two years’ experience will be able to travel to New Zealand to support the upcoming main shear season.
Deepwater fishing crew
The Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) can nominate up to 615 deepwater fishing crew. To be eligible for a 12-month visa as a border exception, the crew must be paid at least the minimum wage plus NZ$4 per hour.
What other occupations have border exceptions?
New Zealand has also created border exceptions for teachers, healthcare workers, dairy farm workers and general practice veterinarians:
Teachers
Immigration New Zealand announced in July that it is going to create a border exception for 300 qualified teachers from overseas. The Ministry of Education will invite applications for these teachers from September.
Read more about the border exception for teachers on our blog.
Healthcare workers
New Zealand welcomes healthcare workers into the country to help in the fight against COVID-19. The border exception applies to:
- Registered health practitioners, including nurses, doctors and paramedics – this includes those working in hospitals, practices, and aged care facilities
- Internationally-qualified nurses, who still have to register in New Zealand
- Workers that operate and maintain medical equipment
You can find a complete list of occupations on Immigration New Zealand’s website under the Critical Health Workers heading.
Dairy farm managers and assistants
Up to 150 dairy farm managers and 50 dairy farm assistants will be able to travel to New Zealand to support the upcoming calving season.
You can read more about this exception on our blog.
General practice veterinarians
Up to 50 veterinarians will be able to enter and work in New Zealand. Click here to find out more about this exception.
Want to know when New Zealand creates more border exceptions?
While we can’t guarantee that New Zealand will create more border exceptions, we can promise that we’ll let you know if and when it happens. The easiest way to catch updates is to follow us on either Facebook or LinkedIn. We share news on our social media channels as soon it’s announced.
- Published in Latest posts, News, Working in New Zealand
Don’t hold off on your emigration due to COVID-19!
New Zealand closed their borders to just about anyone when COVID-19 first struck in 2020, but the country has since created several border exceptions for people in critical occupations and visa categories.
There is thus no reason to put off your emigration if you qualify for one of the border exceptions listed below.
Even if none of these border exceptions apply to you, there are still good reasons to start your emigration (you can skip to numbers 6 and 7 on our list to see why).
1. New Zealand IS ACCEPTING visa applications under some categories
Immigration New Zealand announced in September that it’s now again accepting visa applications under four categories:
- Parent Retirement
- Migrant Investor (Investor 1 and 2), including Expressions of Interest for Investor 2
- Entrepreneur
- Refugee Family Support (Tiers 1 and 2)
The rationale behind accepting Investor and Entrepreneur visas is that these visas brings investment into New Zealand and add jobs to the economy. This is much-needed in a post-COVID-19 world.
2. You might qualify for an ‘other critical worker’ border exception
In September 2020, INZ relaxed the criteria for some overseas workers to allow migrants with critical skills through the border.
The New Zealand employer will apply for the exception. The overseas worker must fall into one of two categories and then meet the criteria associated with the category under which the employer wants to apply for the border exception.
3. New Zealand announced a border exception for 300 teachers in July!
Education Minister Chris Hipkins announced on 3 July that 300 overseas qualified teachers will be able to enter New Zealand under a new class border exception.N
“This will give principals and services additional support, especially for 2022 recruitment, and complement existing teacher supply initiatives”, said Minister Hipkins.
The exception may also be open to teachers who worked in New Zealand but who had to leave the country and were unable to return to their job due to border closures.
Furthermore, Immigration New Zealand is creating a family reunification border exception for the partners and dependent children of teachers who are already in New Zealand on temporary visas. These teachers will be able to request for their family to join them for the duration of their visa.
4. INZ is creating a border exception for dairy farm workers
Immigration New Zealand is introducing a border exception for up to 150 dairy herd managers, up to 50 dairy farm workers and up to 50 veterinarians.
“It is clear from conversations with the dairy and veterinarian sectors that they are facing workforce pressures. These border exceptions will go a long way towards relieving those pressures,” Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor said.
To apply for the exception, you must have between three to five 5 years’ experience and meet the remuneration threshold of NZD85,000 per year.
5. The border exception for critical healthcare workers is indefinite!
Up to March 2021, the border exception for critical healthcare workers had a start date of 31 March 2021. This start date meant that new, approved employees had to start working for their New Zealand employer on or before 31 March 2021.
Much to the delight of visa holders and New Zealand employers, INZ decided to remove the start date. This move meant that the border exception for critical healthcare workers became indefinite!
Eligible healthcare workers can thus enter New Zealand at any stage to take up employment in the country.
6. You can complete critical parts of your skilled migrant visa application despite the border closures
Let’s first explain why you’d want to do that. It’s simple. If you complete the critical parts now, you’ll be ready to submit your visa application as soon as the restrictions are lifted. You’ll be streets ahead of migrants who chose to wait and see what happens first.
Our advisors always tell our clients that their focus should be on the long term not the short term!
Let’s now look at some examples of those critical parts that you can tick off your to-do list.
It is, for instance, your personal documents such as birth certificates and police clearances. Keep in mind also that if you’re applying as a skilled worker you may need occupational registration and a qualification assessment. These are known to take long and may take even longer now. It’s therefore much better to start your emigration process sooner rather than later!
7. INZ could change immigration regulations which could mean that you don’t qualify to apply for a visa at all
We do not say this to scare you. This has happened all too often in the past.
Take for example the big changes that were made to Essential Skills visas earlier this year, including that your median wage would determine the family members you can support and in what manner.
Let’s not forget about when INZ closed the Parent Resident visa in October 2019 until February of this year. At the same time, INZ made a number of changes to the visa. One of these changes was capping the number of visas at 1,000 annually.
These changes scuppered many people’s plans!
Remember that generally you’re safe from any changes if your visa application is already in the system when it happens. This is another good reason to start your emigration sooner rather than later.
Ready to get going with your visa application?
Contact us if you want to find out if you qualify for any of New Zealand’s border exceptions, or if you simply want to start putting together your visa application.
Our advisors can assess your immigration eligibility and work out a personalized immigration plan. Our administrative team can then help you get all the parts together.
We want to see you realise your dream of living in New Zealand as much as you do, so we’re looking forward to working with you!
- Published in Latest posts, New Zealand Immigration Advice, News
#COVID19: New border exception for 300 teachers
Education Minister Chris Hipkins announced on 3 July that 300 overseas qualified teachers will be able to enter New Zealand under a new class border exception.
Eligible teachers to get invitations from September
The overall outlook in New Zealand for domestic teachers supply remains positive but Early Childhood Education (ECE) services and schools continue to find certain locations and subjects difficult to recruit for.
It is for this reason that Immigration New Zealand decided to create a border exception for teachers. “This will give principals and services additional support, especially for 2022 recruitment, and complement existing teacher supply initiatives”, said Minister Hipkins.
The Ministry of Education will work with the education sector to ensure that the ECE services and schools with the greatest recruitment needs get priority. The Ministry will invite applications for these teachers from September.
The exception may also be open to teachers who worked in New Zealand but who had to leave the country and were unable to return to their job due to border closures.
INZ is also making family reunification possible
Immigration New Zealand is creating a family reunification border exception for the partners and dependent children of teachers who are already in New Zealand on temporary visas. These teachers will be able to request for their family to join them for the duration of their visa.
“A lot of families were separated when border restrictions were put in place to protect New Zealand from COVID-19 and we know this has been hard for them. We’re pleased we’re at last able to reunite teachers with their families”, said Minister Hipkins.
Contact us if you want to apply to teach or join a your teacher partner in New Zealand
Immigration New Zealand is still ironing out the finer details of the border exception but book a consultation with our licensed advisor in the meantime if you want to find out if you’re eligible to teach in New Zealand.
Our team can also help you and any children apply for the appropriate visas to join a partner in New Zealand who’s working there as a teacher.
Just want to stay up to date with immigration news out of New Zealand? Then we suggest joining our newsletter. You’ll get your newsletter once a month, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
- Published in Latest posts, News, Working in New Zealand
Expat Insider 2021: How does New Zealand compare to the world?
InterNations has released the results of their annual Expat Insider survey – and New Zealand did well!
The survey quizzed expats on topics ranging from their financial situation to career prospects, and expats in New Zealand rated the country highly in most categories.
Overall, New Zealand ranked in the top 10.
What expats think of New Zealand
When it comes to life in New Zealand, expats are most impressed with the excellent work-life balance the country offers. A whopping 83% of respondents were generally satisfied compared to 66% globally, and 39% of expats were completely satisfied with their work-life balance.
Expats in New Zealand also feel their jobs are quite secure, with 81% of respondents rating their job security favourably. This is 20% higher than the global average.
Prospects are also good for those looking for a change, with 64% of expat rating the local career opportunities positively. The global average was only 45%!
In terms of remote work, only 62% of respondents said they are able to work from home. For nearly half of these expats the reason is the nature of their work. That is most likely at least partly due to the fact that 26% of the respondents work in the healthcare field.
Keep in mind also that New Zealand managed to rapidly contain the COVID-19 pandemic, so being able to work from home is not such a priority as elsewhere in the world at the moment.
How does the Expat Insider survey work?
For the 2021 Expat Insider survey, 12,240 respondents representing 174 different nationalities and living in 186 countries or territories worldwide were asked to evaluate life abroad.
What factors into the ranking?
The overall ranking of each country was determined by the answers of respondents to questions across four categories:
- Quality of Life – Leisure Options, Personal Happiness, Travel and Transportation, Health and Well-being, Safety and Security, Digital Life, Quality of the Environment
- Ease of Settling – Feeling at Home, Friendliness, Finding Friends, Language
- Personal Finance
- Working Abroad – Career Prospects and Satisfaction, Work and Leisure, Economy and Job Security
Expats also had to answer the question “How satisfied are you with life abroad in general?”
Who responded to the survey?
The Expat Insider survey breaks down the statistics of respondents as follows:
- Gender: 48% female, 52% male
- Relationship status: 63% in a relationship, 37% single
- Family status: 80% without dependent children abroad, 20% with dependent children abroad
- Age: 46.1 years on average
- Level of education: 83% with university degree (2% with no degree, 7% high school graduate, 8% commercial/technical/vocational training)
What countries were in the top 10?
The top 10 countries overall were:
- Taiwan
- Mexico
- Costa Rica
- Malaysia
- Portugal
- New Zealand
- Australia
- Ecuador
- Canada
- Vietnam
Top findings from the top three countries
Taiwan:
Taiwan has always scored highly for both the affordability the quality of local healthcare, among other factors. In 2021, an astounding 96% of respondents in Taiwan rated the quality of medical care positively, and nearly 66% couldn’t be any happier.
Mexico:
Mexico is known for offering expats a hospitable, welcoming and affordable environment. Not only has it landed in the top 5 of each ranking since 2014, but it also lead in the 2021 Ease of Settling Index.
Costa Rica:
Costa Rica ranked second out of 65 countries in 2017 and then dropped all the way to the 21st position by 2019. Now, it has managed to climb back up again. Similar to Mexico, Cost Rica does particularly well with regard to personal finance and the ease of settling in. The country also impresses expats with its natural environment and great work-life balance.
Want to read the complete Expat Insider survey?
If you want to know more about New Zealand’s performance on the 2021 survey, click here to download it from InterNation’s website.
- Published in Latest posts, Life in New Zealand, News
Immigration news: June 2021
Immigration New Zealand is continuously amending their visa regulations to help the country bounce back from the economic effects of COVID-19. This month’s changes affect Essential Skill visa holders, dairy farm workers and three short-term work visas.
Changes to Essential Skills visa
Immigration New Zealand has announced three changes to the Essential Skills visa category:
- INZ has increased the duration of new Essential Skills visas for those who are paid below the median wage from 6 months to 12 months. This change applies to all Essential Skills visas granted on or after 10 June 2021.
- From 19 July, Essential Skills visa applications will be assessed using the median hourly wage of NZ$27, in line with the 2020 Statistics New Zealand median wage. This is an annual adjustment, and it’s an increase from the current rate of NZ$25.50.
- The stand-down period for Essential Skills visa holders who are paid below the median wage will be further postponed until July 2022. This stand-down period requires visa holders to leave New Zealand for 12 months after three years before applying for another lower-paid Essential Skills visa.
Border exception for dairy farm managers, dairy farm assistants and veterinarians
Immigration New Zealand is introducing a border exception for up to 150 dairy herd managers, up to 50 dairy farm assistants and up to 50 veterinarians to assist with the upcoming calving season.
“It is clear from conversations with the dairy and veterinarian sectors that they are facing workforce pressures. These border exceptions will go a long way towards relieving those pressures,” Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor said.
To apply for the exception, you must meet the following criteria:
- Assistant Dairy Farm Managers
- who earn above $92,000 per year, and
- have 2-4 years of relevant work experience, and
- will enter New Zealand before April 2022.
- Dairy Herd Managers
- who earn above $79,500 per year, and
- have 2-4 years of relevant work experience, and
- will enter New Zealand before April 2022.
- Dairy Farm Assistants
- who earn at or above the median wage per year, and
- will fill roles in regions with acute shortages, and
- are entering New Zealand to support the 2021/22 season, and
- will enter New Zealand before April 2022.
- Veterinarians
- who earn at or above NZD85,000 per year,
- with 3 to 5 years of experience across key roles in both urban and rural veterinary settings, and
- the necessary qualifications and experience to get licensed and registered with the Veterinary Council of New Zealand.
Extensions for three short-term work visas
INZ has extended the validity of Working Holiday visas and Supplementary Seasonal Employer work visas. INZ is also granting Pacific Recognised Seasonal Employer workers longer stays.
Working Holiday visas
Working Holiday visas that are expiring between 21 June 2021 and 31 December 2021 have been extended a further six months. To qualify for the extension, visa holders must have been in New Zealand on 14 June 2021.
This extension is already legally in effect, and INZ will update visa records in July. Visa holders can use the confirmation email from INZ as proof of their right to work when engaging with prospective employers.
Supplementary Seasonal Employer (SSE) work visas
Supplementary Seasonal Employer (SSE) work visas expiring between 30 June 2021 and 31 December 2021 have been extended for six months.
The extended SSE visas now have open work rights allowing them to work in any sector.
Immigration New Zealand will contact visa holders to confirm their extension. The visa extensions are however already legally in effect, and INZ will update visa records in July.
Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) visa
If you are a Pacific RSE worker who came to New Zealand through the border exception you can apply for a new visa and will be able to stay beyond the normal maximum period.
Stay up to date with the latest news from New Zealand
Join our newsletter to be the first to know about changes made by Immigration New Zealand! You only need to submit your email address and you can unsubscribe at any time. Sound good? Then click here.
- Published in Latest posts, News, Work Visas for New Zealand, Working in New Zealand
What is the cost of living in New Zealand vs Australia?
When comparing the cost of living in New Zealand vs Australia, New Zealand is the more affordable country to live in.
On average, consumer prices in New Zealand are 5.40% lower than in Australia. Groceries and restaurant meals cost 8.28% and 2.73% less respectively. Your rent will also be less in New Zealand.
Percentages means little though. Let’s look at actual numbers instead.
The cost of everyday goods and services in New Zealand compared to Australia
This is how much rent, eating out and groceries cost in both New Zealand and Australia according to Numbeo (June 2021):
(Please note: These costs are correct as at June 2021. All costs are in New Zealand dollar for a side-by-side comparison but we’ve also added the Australian costs in brackets.)
Rent
| Rent | New Zealand | Australia | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-bedroom apartment in the city centre | 1,597.95 | 1,755.46 (A$1,642.29) | -8.97% |
| 1-bedroom apartment outside the city centre | 1,238.19 | 1,354.51 (A$1,267.19) | -8.59% |
| 3-bedroom apartment in the city centre | 2,584.59 | 2,968.94 (A$2,777.54) | -12.95% |
| 3-bedroom apartment outside the city centre | 2,110.24 | 2,057.27 (A$1,924.64) | +2.57% |
Eating out
| Eating Out | New Zealand | Australia | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meal, inexpensive restaurant | 19.20 | 21.38 (A$20.00) | -10.19% |
| 3-course meal for two people, mid-range restaurant | 100.00 | 96.20 (A$90.00) | +3.95% |
| McMeal at McDonalds | 12.00 | 12.83 (A$12.00) | -6.45% |
| Domestic beer, 500ml | 9.00 | 8.55 (A$8.00) | +5.25% |
| Imported beer, 300ml | 9.00 | 9.62 (A$9.00) | -6.45% |
| Cappuccino | 4.76 | 4.80 (A$4.49) | -1.00% |
| Coke, 300ml | 3.36 | 3.55 (A$3.32) | -5.35% |
| Water, 300ml bottle | 2.87 | 3.03 (A$2.83) | -5.34% |
Groceries
| Groceries | New Zealand | Australia | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milk, 1L | 2.63 | 1.75 (A$1.64) | +50.05% |
| Loaf of fresh white bread | 2.51 | 2.99 (A$2.7) | -15.81% |
| White rice, 1kg | 2.97 | 2.90 (A$2.71) | +2.42% |
| Eggs, 12 | 5.40 | 5.06 (A$4.74) | +6.62% |
| Local cheese, 1kg | 10.67 | 11.57 (A$10.82) | -7.74% |
| Chicken fillets, 1kg | 12.96 | 11.59 (A$10.84) | +11.83% |
| Beef round, 1kg | 19.84 | 19.45 (A$18.20) | +2.00% |
| Apples, 1kg | 3.76 | 4.89 (A$4.58) | -23.10% |
| Bananas, 1kg | 2.99 | 3.61 (A$3.38) | -17.26% |
| Oranges, 1kg | 3.91 | 3.98 (A$3.73) | -1.98% |
| Tomato, 1kg | 3.51 | 5.33 (A$4.98) | -34.07% |
| Potato, 1kg | 2.94 | 3.47 (A$3.24) | -15.07% |
| Onion, 1kg | 2.50 | 2.80 (A$2.62) | -10.59% |
| Lettuce | 2.87 | 2.90 (A$2.7) | -1.03% |
Let’s also look at salaries to get the full picture
It’s not enough to only consider everyday costs when investigating the cost of living in a country.
You must also know how much you’re likely to earn to get the full picture. A basket of groceries totaling $100 won’t affect someone earning $10,000 a month the same as someone earning $5,000.
As most of our clients immigrate to New Zealand and Australia as skilled migrants, we chose the 22 industries you see below. The salaries are listed in each country’s currency but we’ve also listed the New Zealand salary in brackets for Australia for a side-by-side comparison.
You can search for your own occupation on Payscale if you don’t see it on our list.
Please note: These are annual salaries. All salaries are in New Zealand dollar for a side-by-side comparison but we’ve also added the Australian salaries in brackets.
| Job category | New Zealand (Annual) | Australia (Annual) |
|---|---|---|
| Architect | 66,365 | 61,556 (A$67,252) |
| Actuary | 149,451 | 138,621 (A$101,206) |
| Audiologist | 81,938 | 76,000 (A$74,003) |
| Carpenter | 58,569 | 54,325 (A$61,848) |
| Chemical Engineer | 65,667 | 60,908 (A$72,558) |
| Diesel Mechanic* | 72,414 | 67,167 (A$72,909) |
| Early Childhood Educator* | 72,414 | 67,167 (A$50,742) |
| Electrician | 68,221 | 63,277 (A$71,399) |
| General Practitioner* | 147,277 | 136,605 (A$141,844) |
| Industrial Engineer | 76,598 | 71,047 (A$71,399) |
| Locksmith | 62,400 | 57,878 (A$57,168) |
| Maintenance Planner* | 80,311 | 74,491 (A$93,551) |
| Mechanical Engineer* | 66,186 | 61,390 (A$72,764) |
| Optometrist | 82,629 | 76,641 (A$86,548) |
| Psychiatrist* | 175,062 | 162,376 (A$125,762) |
| Quantity Surveyor | 71,611 | 66,422 (A$73,534) |
| Registered Nurse* | 60,780 | 56,376 (A$64,782) |
| Social Worker | 53,928 | 50,020 (A$67,548) |
| Software Engineer* | 71,291 | 66,125 (A$78,577) |
| Speech Therapist | 68,824 | 63,837 (A$64,760) |
| Veterinarian | 78,841 | 73,128 (A$67,291) |
| Welder | 50,036 | 46,410 (A$58,312) |
*These occupations are on Australia’s Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List which was established in 2020 to address the skills needed to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
In closing
The cost of living in New Zealand is lower than in Australia. You’ll spend less at the tills when doing your monthly grocery shopping, and you’ll also spend less at restaurants and when paying your rent.
When considering these costs, it’s also important to factor in how much you’ll earn to get a realistic idea of how much buying power your salary gives you.
- Published in Latest posts, Life in New Zealand
#COVID19: New Zealand widens it border exceptions, allowing hundreds of families to reunite
Immigration New Zealand announced this week that it’ll allow the immediate family members of some temporary visa holders to travel to and enter New Zealand, starting 30 April. This decision will allow families to reunite after spending many months apart!
Who qualifies for the border exemption?
Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has enacted several border exceptions to enable specific groups of people to enter New Zealand.
The latest border exemption will enable the partners and dependent children of temporary visa holders who are still outside of New Zealand and fall within three groups to travel to New Zealand under the border exemption.
The three groups are:
- Partners and dependent children who held – and who continue to hold – a visa for New Zealand but were unable to join their partner or parent in New Zealand before the border closed
- The partners and dependent children of workers employed in critical health services
- The partners and dependent children of highly-skilled workers
1. Partners and dependent children who held a visa before the border closure
To be eligible to enter New Zealand, partners or dependent children outside of New Zealand must:
- hold a current visa based on their relationship to the person in New Zealand.
The partner or parent must:
- be currently in New Zealand, and
- have 12 months or more remaining on their work or student visa when the request to travel is submitted.
2. The partners and dependent children of workers employed in critical health services
To apply for an exemption to travel to New Zealand, you must:
- be the partner or dependent child of a person who is currently in New Zealand on a temporary visa.
The partner or parent must:
- be currently in New Zealand, and
- have a visa specifying they work in an occupation to deliver critical health services in New Zealand, and
- hold a visa that is valid for 12 months or more after the date the request to travel is submitted.
You’ll get an invite to apply for a Critical Purpose Visitor visa if your request is successful. Your visa application must include evidence of your relationship with the primary visa holder. For example:
- Any supporting documentation demonstrating your partnership
- Evidence that your partner supports your travel to New Zealand
- Any other evidence showing a commitment to a shared life
3. The partners and dependent children of highly-skilled workers
You’ll be eligible to apply for an exemption to the border restrictions if you are:
- the partner or dependent child of a person who is currently in New Zealand on a temporary visa.
The partner or parent must:
- be currently in New Zealand, and
- earn at least twice the median salary, which is NZD106,080 per year at the moment
- hold a visa that is valid for 12 months or more after the date the request to travel is submitted
The person in New Zealand must also meet one or more of the following requirements:
- They have unique experience and technical or specialist skills not readily obtainable in New Zealand
- They have a role essential for the completion or continuation of a science programme under a government-funded or partially government-funded contract, including research and development exchanges and partnerships, and have the support of the Science, Innovation and International Branch at MBIE to carry out this work
- A role essential for the delivery or execution of one of the following:
- An approved major infrastructure project or a government-approved event, or a major government-approved programme
- An approved government-to-government agreement
- Work with a significantly wider benefit to the national or regional economy
If your request is successful, you’ll get an invite to apply for a Critical Purpose Travel visa. Your visa application must provide evidence of your relationship with the visa holder in New Zealand. This evidence could be, for example:
- A description of your partnership, including details of any previously shared living arrangements
- Travel movements of you and your partner
- Any other evidence showing a commitment to a shared life
How do you request to travel?
To request to travel to New Zealand, you must submit an Expression of Interest. If INZ agrees that you have a critical purpose to travel to New Zealand, i.e. that you meet the requirements of the border exemption, you’ll get an invitation to apply for a Critical Purpose Visitor Visa.
How long does INZ take to process requests to travel?
INZ has published on their website that they aim to respond to requests within five working days. However, it may take longer depending on the volume and complexity of the requests INZ receives.
Can Intergate Emigration help me with my application?
Our team can assist you if you’re the partner or dependent child of a critical health worker or a highly skilled worker. You can reach us at +27 (0) 21 424 2460 or send us an email at info@intergate-emigration.com.
Our licensed advisors have helped many people apply for travel exceptions over the past year, so you can rest assured that you’re in good hands.
- Published in Family Immigration, Latest posts, News
The New Zealand Government has removed the start date criteria from the border exception for critical health workers. Medical professionals in New Zealand welcomed this decision.
What does this mean for health workers?
New Zealand has border restrictions in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19. There are some exceptions, though. The border exception for critical health workers is one.
The exception allows eligible candidates from overseas to enter New Zealand to work. However, this exception had a start date requirement. The requirement meant that new, approved employees had to start working for their New Zealand employer on or before 31 March 2021.
Now there is no start date requirement for critical health workers, which means the border exception is indefinite.
Please note, though, that health workers still must meet all of the other border exception requirements. Start dates are also still dependent on the availability of places in managed isolation and quarantine facilities.
What type of health workers are eligible?
The removal of the start date criteria applies to the likes of:
- Registered health practitioners, including nurses, doctors and paramedics – this includes those working in hospitals, practices, and aged care facilities
- Internationally-qualified nurses, who still have to register in New Zealand
- Workers that operate and maintain medical equipment
Please see the complete list of occupations on Immigration New Zealand under the Critical Health Workers heading. If you see your occupation, book a consultation call to find out if you’re eligible for a work visa.
Why was there an expiry date on the border exception in the first place?
The border exception for critical health workers was one of the first exceptions Immigration New Zealand put in place. The expiry dates allowed Immigration New Zealand to review the exception to ensure it was still required and that it was attracting the workers New Zealand’s health care system needs.
This is what the healthcare sector had to say
New Zealand Rural General Practice Network Chief Executive Dr. Grant Davidson welcomed Immigration New Zealand’s decision.
“Many of our rural practices rely on international doctors being able to enter the country to support their communities. About one-third of practices in rural areas have long-term vacancies and there aren’t enough doctors in New Zealand to fill these spots”, Davidson said. He continued, “Border restrictions have been disrupting our placement of essential health workers in jobs beyond March 2021. We are pleased this barrier has been removed.”
The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners also praised Immigration New Zealand for their decision.
College President Dr. Samantha Murton said, “This is a major win for our GP clinics across New Zealand who are struggling to recruit enough doctors. Now with greater certainty at the border, general practices can attract overseas-trained doctors – and get them here, meaning more patients seen by a doctor and releasing some of the tension on other struggling GPs.”
Stay up to date with other COVID-19 related changes
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- Published in Latest posts, News, Working in New Zealand
New Zealand Immigration News: February 2021
New Zealand announced that it’ll close its South African offices by March. Immigration New Zealand also extended visitor visas by two months for some visa holders.
Extensions of New Zealand visitor visas
On 19 February, Immigration New Zealand extended the visitor visas of visa holders who are in the country and whose visas expire between 19 February and 31 March 2021 by two months from the date of expiry.
This extension by INZ is valid even though the new expiry dates are not yet visible on the visas. The new expiry dates will be available on the Visa Verification Service after 5 March.
Visa holders would have to apply for new visas to extend their stay past the new expiry date.
Please note: This visitor visa extension does not apply to COVID-19 short-term visitor visas.
Maximum stay rule for some visitor visas temporarily waived
People in New Zealand who apply for visitor visas before the end of June 2021 will get a temporary waiver of the maximum stay rule – visitor visa holders can only be in New Zealand for nine months out of an 18 month period. Those who apply will be eligible for a visitor visa for up to six months.
New Zealand’s immigration offices in Pretoria, Mumbai, and Manila to close by March 2021
Immigration New Zealand announced that it will close its offices in Pretoria, Mumbai, and Manila by March.
This decision comes as border restrictions remain in place almost 12 months after first being put in place. The restrictions have meant that incoming visa volumes from people who are offshore have decreased significantly.
Visa application processes – including appointments – will move online as part of the New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority programme.
Deputy Head of INZ Catriona Robinson says that INZ has a responsibility to adapt to the changing environment and ensure we are contributing to New Zealand’s COVID-19 economic recovery.
“As a result, INZ has made the difficult decision to close our offices in Mumbai, Manila, and Pretoria by March 2021 and bring more visa processing onshore,” Catriona Robinson says.
“This is not a decision that we have made lightly. Our staff in these offices have made a significant contribution to INZ and New Zealand. However, these offices have been closed since March 2020, and with no certainty about when visa volumes may return to normal, INZ has had to make some tough decisions.“
Robinson believes that INZ is well-placed to increase its onshore processing capacity.
“The roll-out of new technology functions aims to improve efficiency and resilience throughout INZ, which will help to us to better manage peaks and troughs in visa volumes while giving users of the immigration system a better customer experience,” Robinson says.
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- Published in Latest posts, News, Uncategorised
