Always select this for every post in addition to the main category
New Zealand Investor Visa
The New Zealand investor visa offers eligible candidates from around the world the opportunity to gain residence in New Zealand. There are two visa options:
- Investor visa
- Investor Plus visa
The route you’re able to choose will depend on your ability to meet the investment thresholds and the other relevant requirements associated with each visa.
1. Investor visa
You intend to make an investment of NZ$1.5 million in New Zealand for 4 years.
What are the requirements?
To be eligible for the Investor visa, you must:
- Be 65 years of age or under.
- Demonstrate 3 years of business experience in owning a business or being in a senior management position within a business:
- With an annual turnover of at least NZ$1 million;
- And with at least 4 full-time employees.
- Meet the English language requirements. This extends to any eligible accompanying family members.
- Be able to prove that you have an additional NZ$1 million available to use as settlement funds.
- Meet New Zealand’s health and character requirements.
- Meet the required points score.
2. Investor Plus visa
You intent to make an investment of NZ$10 million in New Zealand for 3 years.
How does the Investor Plus visa differ from the Investor visa?
When you choose to invest through the Investor Plus visa, you’ll have fewer requirements to meet than someone who invest through the Investor visa:
- There are no age restrictions on the Investor Plus visa.
- You don’t have to demonstrate any business experience
- You don’t have to have settlement funds available.
- There is no English language requirement or points test applied to the Investor Plus visa.
What are the requirements?
To be eligible for an Investor Plus visa, you must:
- Make the required investment in an acceptable investment.
- Meet New Zealand’s health and character requirements.
How should you make the investment?
You can only invest in acceptable New Zealand investments, for both visas. Additionally, investments must be made through the New Zealand banking system and investments must be from a validated source.
What is considered an acceptable investment?
Immigration New Zealand recognizes the following as ‘acceptable investments’:
- Equity in New Zealand firms, both public and private. An equity investment can be active or passive, and can be made direct or via managed funds.
- Bonds, issued by the New Zealand government, local New Zealand authorities or approved New Zealand banks, finance companies or firms.
- New residential property development that is not for your personal use and designed to make a commercial return on the open market.
- Up to 15% of the investment total can be philanthropic investment.
Generally, an investment must:
- Be capable of a commercial return under normal circumstances.
- Be invested in New Zealand in New Zealand currency.
- Have the potential to contribute to New Zealand’s economy.
- Not be for the personal use of the investor.
You can read more about acceptable investments on Immigration New Zealand’s website.
Here’s how the application process works
If you wish to apply for a New Zealand Investor visa, you must first lodge an Expression of Interest. If your Expression of Interest is successful, you’ll get an invitation to apply for New Zealand residence.
Should INZ approve your residence in principle, you’ll have 12 months to transfer your investment funds into an acceptable investment in New Zealand. You’ll have to provide verifiable documents to show that the investments came from the funds and/or assets that you nominated.
What happens after you get residence?
You’ll have to do the following once INZ has approved your residence:
Investor visa:
- Keep the investment funds in an acceptable investment for four years.
- Spend at least 146 days of each year in New Zealand in years two, three and four of your four-year investment period or 438 days over the four-year investment period.
Investor Plus visa:
- Keep your investment funds in an acceptable investment for three years.
- Spent at last 44 days in New Zealand each year in years two and three of your three-year investment period or 88 days over the three-year investment period.
For both visas, the number of days you’ll have to spend in New Zealand over the investment period will depend on the make-up of your investment.
Find out if you’re eligible for a New Zealand Investor visa
To see if you’re eligible to apply for a either the Investor or Investor Plus visa, simply book a free initial immigration assessment with our consultants. This assessment will show all New Zealand visas for which you could qualify. Following the outcome of the assessment, our consultants will discuss the best way forward for your emigration to New Zealand.
- Published in Immigration Advice, Our very latest posts
The cost of living in New Zealand: Your ultimate guide (2020 Update)
One of the main research point for our clients is the cost of living in New Zealand. Time and again clients tell us they want to know that they’ll be able to live comfortably.
This has lead us to put together the ultimate guide to the cost of living in New Zealand – and today we’re sharing it with you.
You’ll get a better understanding of how much money you could expect to earn and what your average living costs would be:
- Housing
- Utilities
- Groceries
- Transport
We’ll even tell you where to go do a realistic cost-of-living calculation. But first let’s look at how much you could expect to earn…
Salary
As in all countries, salaries range by profession, experience and skill level. To get an idea of what you could earn in your job, have a look at the salary guide on TradeMe.
Housing
You can choose to rent or buy a home in New Zealand. You might have to rent a home when you first arrive so let’s start there:
Renting:
In 2019, the average cost of rent increased just about everywhere in New Zealand:
| City | Avg Weekly Rent at end of 2019 | Year-on-Year Increase |
|---|---|---|
| Wellington | NZ$604 | 10% |
| Auckland | NZ$563 | 2.2% |
| Dunedin | NZ$464 | 8.4% |
| Hamilton | NZ$420 | 6.1% |
| Christchurch | NZ$379 | 1.7% |
Experts are not expecting rental prices to come down in 2020. In fact, the average Wellington rental property is on track to hit an all-time high of NZ$640 per week in February.
In a recent article on Newshub it was explained that the increase in rental prices mostly comes down to supply – high house prices mean people stay in rentals longer to save deposits, putting pressure on the market. In turn, rent prices are going through the roof. “Essentially, we need more houses,” explained infometrics senior economist Brad Olsen.
These are the rental costs to expect:
Your initial costs when renting a home will include a portion of the rent in advance and a letting fee if you use an agent and a bond.
A landlord can ask for a maximum of two weeks rent in advance while you can expect that the bond (or deposit) will be equal to four weeks’ rent. This means you’ll have to pay up up to six weeks of rent upfront.
You’ll get the bond back at the end of the leasing term, provided you leave the place in a good condition.
To do a search for rental prices in the area you plan on staying, go to TenancyServices, a website hosted by the New Zealand Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.
Buying:
Just like the cost of rent, New Zealand house prices also increased in 2019. At the end of December, the average house prices in 16 of New Zealand largest cities were as follows:
| Average Value | 3 Month Change | |
|---|---|---|
| Invercargill | NZ$334,353 | 6.4% |
| Palmerston North | NZ$483,695 | 4.9% |
| New Plymouth | NZ$495,649 | 3.8% |
| Malborough | NZ$496,590 | 2.4% |
| Rotorua | NZ$499,702 | 5% |
| Christchurch | NZ$507,852 | 2.1% |
| Dunedin | NZ$514,680 | 8.7% |
| Whangarei | NZ$548,568 | 1% |
| Hastings | NZ$563,890 | 5.4% |
| Napier | NZ$578,861 | 4.7% |
| Hamilton | NZ$604,034 | 2.3% |
| Nelson | NZ$638,842 | 1.5% |
| Wellington Area | NZ$746,955 | 4.4% |
| Tauranga | NZ$763,422 | 2.1% |
| Auckland Area | NZ$1,047,110 | 1.9% |
| Queenstown Lakes | NZ$1,202,625 | 0.9% |
Experts did expect this tide to turn in 2020, and for house prices to fall, but the resurgence in Auckland specifically now have economists predicting that house prices will continue to rise. Most economists agree on an increase of at least 5%.
To get an accurate view of how much you’re likely to spend on a home this year, you can check the median values of homes in any region, city or even street on QV.co.nz.
Keep this in mind: Property ads in New Zealand usually show either an RV (Rateable Value), GV (Government Valuation) or CV (Council Valuation) figure. These figures refer to the valuation used by the local council to calculate rates for the property. These aren’t registered valuations and often don’t reflect the property’s true market value.
Utilities
The main utilities for any home would be water and electricity. Of course an internet connection is also considered essential in this day and age.
Water:
Most regional councils charge for the water they supply and the rates vary from region to region. If you own your home, the cost is added to your rates as water rates.
Electricity:
When it comes to electricity, you’ll find that there are a number of electricity and gas retailers in New Zealand. You can search for the best deal on the PowerSwitch website run by ConsumerNZ and MBIE Consumer Affairs.
Internet:
There are a range of internet service providers to choose from in New Zealand. Glimp lets you compare providers by price, speed, data and plan specifics. You can also use Broadband Compare for service provider comparisons.
Transport
While public transport is available in New Zealand, most New Zealanders choose to own a car and drive to where they need to be.
Choosing to also go this route might mean that you’ll have to buy a car once you arrive in New Zealand. You can use New Zealand’s AA website to see how much your favourite car will cost you new, but here are a couple of prices to start with:
| Model (New) | Price |
|---|---|
| Ford Fiesta | NZ$25,490 |
| Citroën C4 | NZ$35,990 |
| Toyota RAV4 | NZ$34,990 |
| Mazda3 | NZ$36,595 |
| Hyundai Sonata | NZ$45,990 |
What about insurance and petrol?
Insurance is not compulsory in New Zealand but third party insurance will insure you against having to personally pay the cost of damage to someone else’s vehicle. Petrol prices are on the AA’s site where regularly updates are published.
Groceries
The general rule is that local produce will be cheaper than imported items.
Keep in mind that imported items travel far due to New Zealand’s ‘end of the earth’ location. This means you might pay considerably more for certain items than you’re used to.
Numbeo is a great site if you’d like to check average grocery prices in New Zealand. You can also look at specific cities or compare the prices between cities.
Let’s take a look at the prices of a couple of basic groceries:
| Price | |
|---|---|
| Milk (1L) | NZ$2.59 |
| Fresh white bread | NZ$2.31 |
| Eggs (12) | NZ$4.92 |
| Cheese (1kg) | NZ$9.92 |
| Chicken breasts (1kg) | NZ$12.45 |
| Rice (1kg) | NZ$2.79 |
| Apples (1kg) | NZ$3.54 |
| Bananas (1kg) | NZ$2.88 |
How does New Zealand’s cost of living compare to that of other countries?
Numbeo’s 2020 Cost of Living Index compares the cost of living of 440 cities around the world. Auckland is New Zealand’s most expensive city. At number 53 on the list, Auckland is cheaper than Sydney in Australia but more expensive than Brighton in the UK.
The only other New Zealand’s cities that ranked on the Index are Christchurch and Wellington at numbers 79 and 113 on the list.
The most expensive city in the world, in case you wanted to know, is Zurich.
And, as promised – how to do a realistic cost-of-living calculation
We said we’ll tell you where to go for a realistic calculation of your cost of living and here it is:
You can use New Zealand Now’s cost calculator. You can tailor your income and expenses (be sure to click on the + signs on the expenses!) and adjust to a monthly or weekly outlook.
Of course here at Intergate we like to go the extra mile, so here is a bonus tip to end off our guide to the cost of living in New Zealand – use PriceMe to compare the prices of computers, appliances, phones, furniture, savings accounts and much more.
- Published in About New Zealand, Our very latest posts
Come see us at the Emigration Expo in February!
The Emigration Expo, held in the Netherlands, is Europe’s largest meeting point for the emigration industry. The 2020 event is hosting 200 exhibitors and more than 11,000 visitors are expected. The Intergate Group will be joining too!
Emigration information for emigrants, expats, students, entrepreneurs and job seekers
The 24th Emigration Expo takes place during the weekend of 8 and 9 February. It is the only international event for those who want to live abroad. A visit to the Expo will quickly provide you with all you need to know about living, working, studying and doing business overseas. You’ll get information through a comprehensive range of options, services, vacancies and products as well as attend free lectures and presentations on issues, topics and trends relating to emigration.
Find Intergate for advice on South Africa, Australia and New Zealand
Intergate had a successful event in 2019 so we’re going back in 2020! We’ll be available to answer all your questions about emigration to New Zealand, Australia and South Africa. Come see us, at whatever stage you are of your emigration journey. We’re looking forward to meeting you!
Event details:
When?
Saturday 8 February and Sunday 9 February 2020, from 10am to 5pm.
Where?
Expo Houten
Meidoornkade 24
3992 AE Houten
The Netherlands
How much?
- €17.50 at the door.
- €12.50 when ordering tickets online.
- €8.75 for students, on production of a student pass at the door.
Your ticket is valid for both Saturday and Sunday.
For more details: www.emigrationexpo.com
- Published in Intergate Emigration, Our very latest posts
Expat Explorer Survey: New Zealand vs Australia
What’s the best way to find what it’s like to live in a country? By searching for answers online? This approach could give you some answers, we agree. Would it perhaps be a better idea to visit for a holiday? You’ll definitely get a feel for the country, but holidaying in a country or city is often vastly different from living there permanently.
The best thing to do (in our opinion)? Speak to people who already live there. That’s exactly what the Expat Explorer Survey does and it’s how we’re going to compare life in New Zealand to Australia today.
The reason for the comparison is not only because we offer immigration services for both countries. It’s also because many people interested in living in New Zealand also consider Australia when setting out on their emigration journey.
What is the Expat Explorer Survey?
The Expat Explorer Survey happens annually. It is a global survey and in 2019 the survey was completed by 18,059 expats in the world. Respondents answer a set of 27 questions and their answers are used to calculate a league table. A minimum sample of 100 expat respondents is required for a country to be included. In 2019, 33 countries from around the world made the cut.. These 33 countries included New Zealand and Australia.
The survey has three categories – Living, Aspiring, and Little Expats
The Expat Explorer Survey’s 27 questions are spread across three categories:
- Living
- Aspiring
- Little Expats
While ‘Living’ covers a multitude of aspects around your well-being, ‘Aspiring’ covers income and career. ‘Little Expats’, as the name suggests, addresses issues that affect children.
Here’s how New Zealand and Australia did in each category:
1. Living
Between New Zealand and Australia, New Zealand came out tops for fulfillment, political stability, ease of settling in, and having welcoming communities. These last two are surely linked! New Zealanders are known as friendly people who go out of their way to help others. Many new expats of stories of how a New Zealander helped them out in the first few months in the country.
Australia, on the other hand, beat New Zealand when it came to qualify of life as well as physical and mental well-being. The beautiful weather gets the credit for making expats feel physically healthier than in their home countries.
Position out of 33 countries in the Survey: New Zealand – 3rd | Australia – 4th
2. Aspiring
While New Zealand were scored higher by expats for income, Australia scored more for disposable income. So it seems that although expats in New Zealand earn more, expats in Australia has more of their salary to spend after deductions.
Australia also beat New Zealand when it came to career progression. The Expat Explorer Survey found that while expats don’t initially opt for Australia to help progress their careers, this is one of the reasons expats often end up staying long term.
New Zealand came out tops again, however, in reaching one’s potential and work-life balance. This is to be expected as New Zealand is known as a country that values work-life balance. In fact, this is often one of the main reasons expats choose to go to New Zealand.
Position out of 33 countries in the Survey: New Zealand – 8th |Australia – 12th
3. Little Expats
Expat parents in New Zealand rated the country highly for their children’s ability to make friends. New Zealand came in two spots above Australia, in fact. However, Australia beat New Zealand in learning and schooling. The difference again was only two spots, so your children are going to have a great childhood in either country.
Position out of 33 countries in the Survey: New Zealand – 9th | Australia – 8th
Where do New Zealand and Australia sit on the Expat Explorer Survey league table?
New Zealand came in at 5th place overall while Australia took 6th place. Switzerland, Singapore, Canada and Spain claimed the top four spots. Turkey, Germany, the UAE and Vietnam made up the rest of the top 10.
View the full league table here and view the comparison of Australia and New Zealand here.
- Published in About New Zealand, Our very latest posts
FAQs: Healthcare In New Zealand
New Zealand healthcare is among the best in the world!
In a 2019 study conducted by ID Medical, a UK healthcare recruiter, New Zealand’s healthcare system was tied with that of the UK. New Zealand also fares well in the World Health Organisation’s rankings where it finds itself among the top 50 countries.
It’s really no surprise that many migrants who pick New Zealand lists the country’s healthcare as a ‘pull factor’. Especially those migrants with families! Parents naturally want to secure the best possible healthcare for their children.
Parent or no parent, though, you’re sure to have questions about New Zealand’s healthcare system. That’s why we’ve decided to answer 8 of your most frequently asked questions today. Up first:
1. Does New Zealand have a public healthcare system?
Yes, New Zealand does have a public healthcare system. Eligible residents get free or subsidised health and disability services which include:
- Primary healthcare visits such as doctor’s visits.
- Prescribed medicines.
- Public hospital services.
- Support services if you have disabilities.
2. Does the public healthcare system also cover dentistry?
While dental care is free for eligible children up to the age of 18, you’ll have to pay for most dental services yourself. However, the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC), a government agency, will help with the cost if you need dental treatment because of an accident or injury.
Please note that free dental care for eligible children are not available through every dentist practice. You’ll have to check with your dentist if their practice offers this service.
3. Who is eligible for New Zealand’s public healthcare system?
You may be eligible for subsidised or free healthcare under the public system if you are:
- A New Zealand citizen or permanent resident or resident, although some exceptions do apply; or
- A work visa holder who is allowed to work in New Zealand for two years or more; or
- The holder of a work visa that allows you to work in New Zealand for two years or more when combined with time spent in the country just before getting your current work visa; or
- Under 17 and your parent or guardian is eligible; or
- An interim visa holder who was eligible immediately before you got the interim visa; or
- A refugee or protected person.
There is a chance that you’ll still qualify for public healthcare despite not meeting any of the requirements above. Please get advice from your immigration advisor or consult the Ministry of Health’s website.
4. Is private healthcare also available in New Zealand?
Yes, New Zealand does have private healthcare facilities. You’ll have to pay for healthcare services at these facilities yourself as the New Zealand government does not subsidise or pay for private healthcare services.
It is important to note, however, that you must be eligible for public healthcare in order to be allowed to take out private health insurance.
The benefits of private health insurance is that it allows you to decide how much cover you want and the type of services you want cover for. Private health insurance also means you can go to the doctor, specialist or hospital of your liking.
To compare private health insurance policies, go to LifeDirect, a New Zealand insurance comparison website.
5. Can I count on New Zealand healthcare’s system to look after my children?
Most definitely! As mentioned earlier, eligible children under the age of 18 are entitled to free dental healthcare. That’s not the only way healthcare in New Zealand looks after your children though:
- From birth to the age of 5: All children in New Zealand qualify for a free health service called Well Child/Tamariki Ora. This service gives children access to a range of health checks and provides support and advice to new parents.
- Under the age of 13: All children younger than 13 are eligible for the following free medical services:
- Immunisations against serious diseases.
- Regular eyesight and hearing checks at school.
- Visits to the doctor. Not all GPs may provide free visits, so check with your GP first.
- Basic dentistry, as mentioned.
- Under the age of 17: Publicly-funded healthcare.
6. What do I do in the case of a medical emergency?
In the unfortunate case of a medical emergency, you can either dial 111 to request an ambulance or go to the closest hospital’s 24-hour emergency department. You can get more information about when to visit an emergency department on the Ministry of Health’s website.
If injuries are sustained due to an accident, the Accident Compensation Corporate (ACC) cover will take care of most of the costs.
7. How do I find a doctor?
The good news is that New Zealand have over 35,000 GPs, so you’re sure to find a doctor in your area. Simply go to the Healthpoint website and do a search by suburb, name or service. This website also gives information about services and common treatments offered by GPs as well as referral expectations.
It’s important to know that doctors usually give priority to people who live or work in their local area, so local is always best when picking a GP.
8. How do I find hospitals in my area?
New Zealand has both public and private hospitals. You can find a hospital in your area by doing a search on the Ministry of Health’s website. Click here for public hospitals and here for private hospitals.
Go the Ministry of Health’s website for more on healthcare in New Zealand…
New Zealand’s Ministry of Health has a comprehensive website where you’re sure to find the answers to any other questions you might have. You can find the website here: www.health.govt.nz
- Published in Our very latest posts, Relocation Advice - New Zealand
10 New Zealand job agencies
Want to increase your chances of getting a job when immigrating to New Zealand? Work with New Zealand job agencies. These agencies have recruiters with the contacts, know-how, and industry knowledge to secure you a job.
10 of New Zealand’s top recruiters
1. Adecco
Adecco has offices in 16 cities across New Zealand. Their recruiters can assist with jobs for a wide range of industries, including engineering, constructions, and sales and marketing.
2. Drake New Zealand
Drake New Zealand can connect you with jobs in several industries, ranging from healthcare and IT to engineering and education. These recruiters have 11 offices across New Zealand. You can sign up for job alerts on the website and access career advice too.
3. Enterprise Recruitment
Enterprise is divided into four specialists division – Information Technology, Business Support, Professional, and Industrial. Each division offers dedicated expertise and knowledge. You can find Enterprise in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Invercargill.
4. Fosterra
Fosterra works specifically with technically-orientated companies on the South Island. They specialize in Senior Management, Sales and Marketing and most types of technical professional. Fosterra’s office is in Christchurch.
5. HQ Recruiting
HQ Recruiting has two offices, one in Auckland and one in Wellington. They work with candidates in early childhood education, transport, and IT.
6. Michael Page
Michael Page matches professionals with Auckland jobs across a wide range of industries. You can sign up for job alerts on the website. The website also has a comprehensive career advice section and offer market insights.
7. OCG
OCG offer recruitment solutions across for the HR, technology, manufacturing and industrial industries. They have offices in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. You’ll find a career support section on the website, where OCG gives you advice on your resume, interviews, and job hunting.
8. Superior Personnel
Superior Personnel connects job seekers with opportunities in Auckland, Waikato and Bay of Plenty. The team specializes in manufacturing, freight and logistics, infrastructure, specialist trades and clerical roles.
9. Tradestaff
As the name suggest, Tradestaff provides recruitment services for the trades and industrial sectors. They have 11 offices across New Zealand, each with a unique understanding of their geographic area.
10. Also visit New Kiwis
New Kiwis is not a job agency, it is a free employment service to migrant job seekers and Zealand employers. Applicants can upload their CVs and search the job section, while employers use the site to search for candidates and post vacancies. You can thank the Auckland Chamber of Commerce and Immigration New Zealand (MBIE) for this initiative.
Here’s how a recruiter can help you
- New Zealand job agencies are experts on the New Zealand job market. You’ll get insider information and tips to help you succeed in your job search.
- Recruiters often know about jobs that are not being advertised on job boards or social media.
- Specialist agencies in your industry are already connected with the companies you should approach.
- Recruiters can also help you with your CV and give advice on your career path.
- When you apply for a job, the recruiter follows up on your application. This means you don’t have to and you get regular feedback on your application.
- Using a recruiter is free!
Our advice?
New Zealand employers often use recruiters to screen candidates, especially for specialist and high-level jobs. Our advice is thus to seriously consider using a job agency! Not only for this reason, but also the 6 reasons we list above. With a recruiter by your side, especially when you’re job hunting before you emigrate, you have a much bigger chance of finding the perfect job.
Please note: Intergate Emigration is not affiliated or associated with any of the job agencies listed above.
- Published in Immigration Advice, Our very latest posts
New version of ANZSCO released on Wednesday, 30 October 2019
The Australian Bureau of Statistics and Statistics New Zealand released a new version of ANZSCO on Wednesday, 30 October. INZ will continue to use the previous version until the middle of 2020, although not for every occupation.
What is changing?
The updated version of the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) is Version 1.3. This version sees the government adding 44 jobs to those deemed to be ‘skilled’ for the purposes of a Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa application.
When does ANZSCO Version 1.3 come into effect?
New Zealand will continue to use the current version of ANZSCO in the assessment of most applications until mid-2020. In mid-2020, Version 1.3 will then kick in.
How does Version 1.3 affect visa applications?
At the moment, New Zealand uses a combination of ANZSCO classification and pay to determine skill band levels. From next year, when ANZSCO Version 1.3 comes into effect, New Zealand will no longer use ANZSCO to assess the skill level of jobs for the Essential Skills Work Visa. Until then, New Zealand uses Version 2.1 to assess occupations.
Some occupations will be treated as an exception
As mentioned, New Zealand will continue to use ANZSCO Version 1.2 until mid-2020. However, New Zealand will treat some occupations as exceptions. Exceptions will apply to occupations that are:
- Low-skilled – Skill level 4 to 50 in ANZSCO Version 1.2.
- Skilled – Skill level 1 to 3 in ANZSCO Version 1.3, and
- The visa applicant earns at least the New Zealand median income, which is currently at NZD25 per hour.
New Zealand will treat these occupations as if it is ANZSCO skill level 1 to 3.
You can find a list of ANZSCO occupations that’ll be treated as exceptions on INZ’s website.
What does the change in ANZSCO list mean for visa applicants?
There are a couple of scenarios for visa applicants:
- You hold already hold a work visa: The skill level of your job remain the same for the duration of your visa.
- You apply before mid-2020:
- Your occupation is not on the exceptions list: New Zealand will use ANZSCO Version 1.2 to assess your visa application.
- Your occupation is on the exceptions list: New Zealand will treat your occupation as if it were skill level 3, if your job pays above the New Zealand median income or use ANZSCO Version 1.2 to assess your application, if your job pays below the New Zealand median income.
- You apply after mid-2020:
- For an Essential Skills Work Visa: New Zealand will no longer use ANSCO to assess the skill level of your jobs.
- For a Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa: New Zealand will use ANZSCO Version 1.3 to assess the skill level of your jobs.
Want to know when exactly ANZSCO Version 1.3 comes into affect in 2020?
To stay up to date with the implementation of Version 1.3 of ANZSCO, simply sign up to our newsletter or follow us on social media. You can find us on Facebook and LinkedIn, where we post immigration news as and when it happens.
- Published in Our very latest posts, Work Visas for New Zealand
Let’s compare the English language tests
Today we’re going to compare the four English language test most migrants take – the IELTS General and Academic, the PTE Academic, and the TOEFL iBT. We’re going to do the comparison by taking a side-by-side look at three sections of the tests:
- Test overview.
- The parts of the test.
- How long it takes to get your test results.
This comparison will not only help you understand the differences between the tests, it will also familiarise you with each of these four tests.
Let’s get started:
Test overview
In the test overview, we give you a short description of what each test assess and how it’s done.
1 and 2. IELTS General and IELTS Academic:
The IELTS tests assess your abilities in listening, reading, writing and speaking – in less than three hours. The Listening, Reading and Writing sections of all IELTS tests are completed on the same day, with no breaks in between them. The Speaking section, however, can be completed up to a week before or after the other tests. Your test centre will advise.
3. PTE Academic
PTE Academic assesses listening, reading, speaking and writing all via computer in a single three hour test session. To complete a PTE Academic test, you will need to attend a secure Pearson test center. You will use a computer and headset to listen to, read and respond to questions.
4. TOEFL iBT
The TOEFL iBT test measures your ability to use and understand English at the university level. It also evaluates how well you combine your reading, listening, speaking, and writing skills to perform academic tasks. The TOEFL iBT test is given in English and administered via the internet. It takes about 3 hours total for the 4 sections of the test (Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing).
Test format
All four English language tests assess your speaking, writing, reading and listening skills. However, the PTE Academic test assess your speaking and writing skills in one session while the other English tests assess each skill in an individual session.
Part 1:
1 and 2. IELTS General and IELTS Academic: Listening (30 min)
You’ll listen to four recordings of native English speakers and then write your answers to a series of questions. Assessors will be looking for evidence of your ability to understand the main ideas and detailed factual information, the opinions and attitudes of speakers, the purpose of an utterance and evidence of your ability to follow the development of ideas.
3. PTE Academic: Speaking & Writing (77 – 93 min)
- Personal introduction.
- Read aloud.
- Repeat sentence.
- Describe image.
- Re-tell lecture.
- Answer short question.
- Summarize written text.
- Essay (20 mins).
4. TOEFL iBT: Reading: (54 – 72 min)
You’ll read three or four passages from academic texts and answer 30 to 40 questions.
Part 2
1 and 2. IELTS General and IELTS Academic: Reading (60 min)
The Reading section consists of 40 questions, designed to test a wide range of reading skills. These include reading for gist, reading for main ideas, reading for detail, skimming, understanding logical argument and recognising writers’ opinions, attitudes and purpose.
- General: Reading material includes extracts from books, magazines, newspapers, notices, advertisements, company handbooks and guidelines. These are materials you’re likely to encounter on a daily basis in an English-speaking environment.
- Academic: Reading material includes three long texts which range from the descriptive and factual to the discursive and analytical. These are taken from books, journals, magazines and newspapers.
3. PTE Academic: Reading (32 – 40 min)
- Reading & writing: Fill in the blanks.
- Multiple choice, choose multiple answers.
- Re-order paragraphs.
- Reading: Fill in the blanks.
- Multiple choice, choose single answer.
4. TOEFL iBT: Listening (41 – 57 min)
You’ll listen to lectures, classroom discussions and conversations, then answer 28 – 39 questions.
Part 3
1. IELTS General: Writing (60 min)
Topics are of general interest. There are two tasks:
- Task 1: You’ll be presented with a situation and asked to write a letter requesting information, or explaining the situation. The letter may be personal, semi-formal or formal in style.
- Task 2: You’ll be asked to write an essay in response to a point of view, argument or problem. The essay can be fairly personal in style.
2. IELTS Academic: Writing (60 min)
Topics are of general interest to, and suitable for, test takers entering undergraduate and postgraduate studies or seeking professional registration. There are two tasks:
- Task 1: You’ll be presented with a graph, table, chart or diagram and asked to describe, summarise or explain the information in your own words. You may be asked to describe and explain data, describe the stages of a process, how something works or describe an object or event.
- Task 2: You’ll be asked to write an essay in response to a point of view, argument or problem. Responses to both tasks must be in a formal style.
3. PTE Academic: Listening (45 – 75 min)
- Summarise spoken text.
- Multiple choice, choose multiple answer.
- Fill in the blanks.
- Highlight correct summary.
- Multiple choice, choose single answer.
- Select missing word.
- Highlight incorrect words.
- Write from dictation.
4. TOEFL iBT: Speaking (41 – 57 min)
Express an opinion on a familiar topic; speak based on reading and listening tasks. You’ll complete four tasks in total.
Part 4
1 and 2. IETLS General and IELTS Academic: Speaking (11 – 14 min)
The speaking section assess your use of spoken English. Every test is recorded.
- Task 1: The examiner will ask you general questions about yourself and a range of familiar topics, such as home, family, work, studies and interests. This part lasts between four and five minutes.
- Task 2: You will be given a card which asks you to talk about a particular topic. You will have one minute to prepare before speaking for up to two minutes. The examiner will then ask one or two questions on the same topic.
- Task 3: You will be asked further questions about the topic in Task 2. These will give you the opportunity to discuss more abstract ideas and issues. This part of the test lasts between four and five minutes.
3. TOEFL iBT: Writing (50 min)
You’ll have to write essay responses based on reading and listening tasks, and support an opinion in writing.
When do you get your results?
Waiting for the results on such an important test is nerve-racking! It helps to know for how long you’ll have to wait. Here we break down the time frames:
1 and 2. IELTS General and IELTS Academic:
If you’ve taken a paper-based test, your Test Report Form will be available 13 days after you complete the test, but if you’ve taken a computer-delivered test, your results will be available between 5 and 7 days after your test.
3. PTE Academic
Typically, PTE Academic results are available within five business days.
4. TOEFL iBT
Score reports are available and can be viewed online in your TOEFL iBT account approximately six days after your test date. If you requested a paper copy, it will be mailed to you approximately 11 days after your test date.
For even more information on each test, go to the individual websites:
Want to know which test you should take?
Our immigration consultants advise on English language tests during the assessment process. You’ll find out if you have to take an English test and which English test is best for your situation.
The first step is an initial assessment to see if you are eligible for immigration to New Zealand. Should this assessment show that you are eligible, you can proceed with a comprehensive assessment. It is during this assessment that our advisors give advice on English tests.
To book your initial assessment, simply complete and submit this short form. You’ll hear from one of our consultants within 24 hours to get started on your immigration journey.
- Published in Our very latest posts, Work Visas for New Zealand
The Parent Resident Visa now closed – opens again from February 2020
The New Zealand government has decided to temporarily close the Parent Resident visa.
This decision took effect on Monday, 7 October 2019, which means INZ is no longer accepting Expressions of Interest from this date.
The Parent Resident visa will open again in February 2020, but with new criteria for applicants and sponsors to meet.
How is the Parent Resident visa changing?
INZ is making a number of significant changes to the Parent Resident visa. These changes include:
- Limiting the number of people who can get the visa each year to 1000.
- Standardising the Expression of Interest process and removing the 2-tier system.
- Changing the financial requirements that sponsors and applicants have to meet.
Of all these changes, the financial requirement changes affect an applicant’s chances of joining their children the most. For this reason, we’ll discuss these changes in detail below.
The new financial requirements for sponsors and applicants
The Parent Resident visa’s new financial requirements can only be met through the income of the sponsor and their partner. Applicants will no longer have the option to apply for the visa based on their settlements funds or a guaranteed lifetime income.
The income levels that sponsors need to meet will also increase. In addition, sponsors will also need to:
- meet the income criteria for two out of the three years before their parents applied for residence, and
- provide evidence of their annual income by providing Inland Revenue tax statements.
What is the new income levels?
INZ will update the income levels for sponsors each year based on the New Zealand median income.
The current median income is NZD $53,040, which means the expected income levels for 2020 are as follows:
If your sponsorship is based on your personal income, you’ll need to each before tax:
- NZD106,080 to sponsor one parent – Twice the median salary.
- NZD159,120 to sponsor two parents – Three times the median salary.
If you’re using both you and your partner’s income, you’ll need to earn between the two of you:
- NZD159,120 to sponsor one parent – Three times the median salary.
- NZD212,160 to sponsor two parents – Four times the median salary.
What if you’ve already submitted an Expression of Interest (EOI)?
If you already have an EOI in the queue, you’ll have three choices:
- Update your EOI to meet the new requirements, or
- Withdraw your EOI, or
- Leave your EOI in the queue, if you think you’ll meet the new requirements.
INZ will publish more information on how to update your EOI by November. If you update your EOI or keep it in the queue, or submit a new EOI next year, it will be eligible for selection from May 2020.
If you decide to withdraw your EOI, you’ll be able to request a refund. Information regarding this is available on INZ’s website. Please contact your Intergate Emigration advisor to discuss this process if you lodged your EOI under the Parent Residence category as a client of ours.
What are the other available options?
If you won’t meet the new requirements, you can still apply for the Parent Retirement visa or the Parent and Grandparent Visitor visa.
The Parent Retirement visa offers temporary residency and could lead to permanent residency. You’ll have to be able to invest certain amounts in New Zealand.
The Parent and Grandparent Visitor visa on the other hand is a 3-year multiple-entry visa that enables you to stay in New Zealand for up to 6 months at a time.
Stay up to date with developments
To be the first to get future updates on the Parent Resident visa, simply sign up for our newsletter or follow us on Facebook or LinkedIn. Our newsletter is free and you can unsubscribe at any time.
INZ planning a number of visa changes from now until 2021
Immigration New Zealand is making many changes to their immigration program from now until 2021. The first of the changes are coming into effect in a couple of days on 7 October.
The rest of the changes are planned for 2020 and 2021. We’re going to detail these changes below.
Changes in 2020
There are two changes coming in 2020:
- Family visas for low-skilled Essential Skills Work Visa holders.
- Determining if a job is low-skilled or high-skilled.
Family visas for low-skilled Essential Skills Work Visa holders
From mid-2020, Essential Skills Work Visa holders on low-skilled jobs will be able to support family visas. Their partners and children younger than school age will be able to apply for visitor visas for the duration of the work visa. School-going children will be able to apply for student visas.
Determining if a job is low-skilled or high-skilled
Immigration New Zealand is going to change how it’s decided if a job is low-skilled or high-skilled. Currently, jobs under the Essential Skills Work visa are assigned a skill band based on a combination of the pay and the categorisation of the job on ANZSCO.
From mid-2020, INZ will not use ANZSCO and instead use only the rate of pay. High-paid jobs will be defined as jobs that pay at or above the median wage, while low-paid jobs will be jobs that pay below the median wage.
High-paid jobs will receive the same benefits as jobs that are currently categorized as mid-skilled or high-skilled, and low-paid jobs will be treated the same as low-skilled jobs.
Changes in 2021
There is one big change coming in 2021:
New temporary work visa will replace 6 existing visas
From 2021, a new temporary work visa will replace six existing visas:
- Essential Skills Work Visa
- Essential Skills Work Visa – approved in principle
- Talent (Accredited Employer) Work Visa
- Long Term Skill Shortage List Work Visa
- Silver Fern Job Search Visa
- Silver Fern Practical Experience Visa
If you already hold a visa that is being replaced, it will remain valid until it expires. If you’d like to continue working for your current employer after your visa expires, you’ll have to apply for the new temporary work visa or another visa you qualify for.
Please note that if you already hold a Talent (Accredited Employer) Work Visa or a Long Term Skill Shortage List Work Visa, you can still apply for residence based on your current work visa.
There are also changes for employers. You can read more about these here.
Some policies are staying in place
Amidst all of the change, some things will remain the same:
- People who hold visas based on lower-skilled work will still have to leave New Zealand for a 1-year stand-down period after they have been working for 3 years.
- The new visa will still have conditions specifying an employer, job and location, and a visa holder will still have to get a variation of conditions to change any of these.
- INZ will still need to be satisfied that there are no New Zealanders available for a job before they grant a visa — in most cases, through the labour market test.
Keeping up to date with the changes
INZ has said that they are still working on how to implement some of the changes. As more details are finalised, we’ll update you right here on our blog. To stay up to date, sign up to our newsletter (it’s free!) or follow us on Facebook or LinkedIn where we post news as it happens.
- Published in Immigration Advice, Our very latest posts