The information you need to know about making a visa application for New Zealand. From explanations of common immigration concepts to explanations of the application process.
New Zealand Skills Shortage List – Let’s break it down for you
It’s almost guaranteed that you’ve come across the phrase ‘New Zealand skills shortage list’ in your emigration research.
But what is it? And what role does it play in your emigration? These are the types of questions we’d like to answer for you today.
What is the New Zealand skill shortage list?
The first thing you should know is that there are three skill shortage lists, not just one:
- Long Term Skills Shortage List (LTSSL)
- Regional Skill Shortage List (RSSL)
- Construction and Infrastructure Skill Shortage List (CISSL)
Collectively, these lists are called the Essential Skills in Demand Lists (ESID). Individually, each list is a record of occupations experiencing a shortage of skilled workers in New Zealand.
What role does the skill shortage lists play in my emigration?
We’ll let Immigration New Zealand explain: “If you’re offered a job that’s on one of the lists, and you’ve got the qualifications and experience to match, getting a work or residence visa may be easier.”
How do the lists work?
If your occupation is on a shortage list, the position you’re offered won’t have to be subjected to an individual labour market test.
This means the New Zealand employer doesn’t have to demonstrate that the company couldn’t find suitable New Zealanders to fill the position or to train for the position.
Thus, if the position you’re offered is on a skill shortage lists it means suitable New Zealanders are hard to find and a visa can be granted to a qualified worker from overseas.
This makes the application process easier for both you and your prospective employer.
The three skills shortage lists
As explained, there are three skills shortage lists. Each list offers the opportunity to qualify for a certain visa or visas.
1. Long Term Skills Shortage List (LTSSL)
The Long Term Skills Shortage List identifies occupations where there is a sustained and on-going shortage of highly skilled workers throughout New Zealand.
In other words, your occupation is in demand not just now but also for the foreseeable future.
What visas can you apply for?
If you’re offered a position in an occupation that’s on the LTSSL and you meet the requirements associated with the occupation, you’ll be eligible to apply for either an Essential Skills Work Visa or for a Long Term Skills Shortage List work visa:
- Essential Skills Work Visa: The Essential Skills Work Visa is a temporary work visa. In certain cases, going on to apply for permanent residency is possible. It would be best to discuss your eligibility with your immigration advisor at the time of making your temporary visa application.
- LTSSL Work Visa: If you obtain a LTSSL Work Visa, you’ll be eligible to apply for residence after two years of working. This is provided that you can also meet these important requirements:
- You have ongoing employment
- You annual salary is at least NZ$45,000
2. Regional Skilled Shortage List (RSSL)
The Regional Skilled Shortage List (RSSL) identifies 15 regions with occupations that have an immediate shortage of skilled workers. This gives migrants a better idea about opportunities in regional areas.
What visas can you apply for?
If your occupation, qualifications and experience appear on the RSSL, you may be eligible for to apply for an Essential Skills Work Visa.
3. Construction and Infrastructure Skill Shortage List (CISSL)
The Construction and Infrastructure Skill Shortage List also contains immediate short-term skills shortages but these shortages are specific to the construction industry. The CISSL is divided into the same 15 regions as the RSSL.
What visas can you apply for?
If your occupation, qualifications and experience appear on the CISSL, you may be eligible for to apply for an Essential Skills Work Visa.
How does Immigration New Zealand decide on the occupations on these lists?
New Zealand’s Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) reviews the Essential Skills in Demand Lists regularly, with contributions from industry groups. During these reviews the MBIE decide if any occupations should be:
- Added or removed from a list; or
- Moved to another list.
The first step in the process is selecting occupations for review. Once this has been done, submissions on nominated occupations are invited from industry groups.
The last step is the MBIE deciding on the changes and publishing the new lists.
What if your occupation is not the Essential Skills in Demand Lists?
You still have options if you want to work in New Zealand!
1. Essential Skills Work Visa with motivation from an employer and a labour market test
You could still apply for an Essential Skills Work Visa, even if your occupation doesn’t appear on the Essential Skills in Demand Lists.
To do this, your prospective employer must motivate why they should be allowed to employ a foreigner.
The employer will also have to submit to a labour market test. This means the New Zealand employer must demonstrate that the company advertised the position and could not find a New Zealand citizen or resident to fill the position you’re being offered.
The requirements associated with the labour market test will depend on whether the position is deemed high-skilled or low-skilled:
- High-skilled positions:
- Motivational statement
- The text for the job advert
- Details of where and for how long the advert ran for
- Low-skilled positions:
- A Skills Match Report from Work and Income
- Proof of advertising the role
- Motivational statement
- Proof there are no New Zealanders available to do the work
- Proof there are no New Zealanders who they believe are suitable for the role
From your side, you’d have to be able to prove that you have the skills, qualifications and experience to do the job. You’d also have to obtain professional or trade registrations if applicable.
2. Skilled Migrant Visa
Don’t forget about the Skilled Migrant Visa! This is a highly coveted work visa among migrants because it offers immediate permanent residency to the visa holder. The criteria is strict though!
You’ll have to:
- Be under the age of 55
- Have your skills, experience and qualifications assessed as skilled
- Have an offer of skilled employment
- Meet New Zealand’s health and character requirements
- Meet the minimum English language requirements
3. Other visas that allow you to work
You can also work in New Zealand as the partner or spouse of a New Zealander or the partner or spouse of a work visa holder. You can also immigrate as an entrepreneur to work in your own business.
Want to find out if your occupation appear on a skill shortage list?
You can do a search for your occupation on Immigration New Zealand’s website, but your occupation appearing on a skill shortage list is not the full picture. You still have to meet all the other requirements to qualify for a work visa.
If you want to know if you can apply for a work visa, we can help you get to the answer by doing an immigration assessment with you.
You can take the first step right now by booking an initial immigration assessment. This initial assessment is free and non-obligatory!
Let’s recap….
There are three Essential Skills in Demand Lists namely the Long Term Skills Shortage List, the Regional Skills Shortage List and the Construction and Infrastructure Skill Shortage List.
These lists identify skills shortage areas in New Zealand and serve as records of the specific occupations in need.
Your occupation appearing on a skills list is a good sign, but it’s only the first piece of the puzzle. This is why doing an immigration eligibility assessment is always a good way to start your immigration journey!
- Published in Latest posts, Working in New Zealand, Your Visa Application
New Zealand Immigration Points System Explained
The New Zealand immigration points system is a pivotal part of your move to New Zealand as a skilled migrant. As such, it’s vital to understand how this system works and how you go about getting your points score.
Let’s start at the beginning though – what exactly is the New Zealand immigration points system?
What is the New Zealand immigration points system?
The New Zealand Immigration points system is one of the tools that Immigration New Zealand use in assessing whether or not you’re eligible to live and work in New Zealand.
Specifically, the points system is designed to allow the ranking of Expressions of Interest which enables Immigration New Zealand to extend Invitations to Apply to overseas applicants who have the most to offer to New Zealand.
How does the points system work?
The New Zealand points system judge your eligibility to live and work in New Zealand by awarding points for factors such as your age, whether or not you have a job offer, previous work experience, qualifications and your partner’s points score.
How many points must you get?
To apply for a Skilled Migrant visa, you must score at least 160 points. Due to this, your chances of successfully obtaining a skilled migrant visa will inevitably require that you have a job offer in place.
If you do not manage to score 160 points but you do score at least 100 points, in other words anywhere from 100 to 159 points, you’ll instead be eligible for an Essential Skills Work visa.
The main difference between these two work visas are the residency it offers. The Essential Skills Work Visa offers temporary residency while the Skilled Migrant visa offers permanent residency.
How does Immigration New Zealand award points?
Immigration New Zealand awards points under five categories:
- Age
- Skilled Employment
- Relevant Work Experience
- Qualifications
- Your Partner’s Score
It is possible to score bonus points in certain categories. Before we get there, however let’s start with the age category and then we’ll work through all five categories as listed above.
1. Age
- 30 points: 20-39 years
- 20 points: 40-44 years
- 10 points: 45-49 years
- 5 points: 50-55 years
Please note: You will not qualify if you’re older than 55.
2. Skilled employment
- 50 points: If you have an offer of skilled employment in New Zealand.
- 50 points: If you are currently employed in a skilled occupation in New Zealand.
Skilled employment means employment for which you need specialist, technical or management expertise as well as relevant qualifications and/or work experience to do. It may also be that a minimum pay threshold applies.
Under the Skilled Migrant Category, you can claim points for skilled employment based on a job you’re currently in, or a job offer you have received.
Bonus points:
- 10 points where you are:
- In an occupation in an area of absolute skills shortage, or
- Employed in work in a region outside Auckland
- 20 points if:
- Your income is more than twice the New Zealand median income.
- Your partner also has a skilled job or job offer.
3. Relevant work experience
- 10 points: 2 years
- 20 points: 4 years
- 30 points: 6 years
- 40 points: 8 years
- 50 points: 10 years
Bonus points:
- 10 points:
- 12 months or more
- And if the work experience in an area of absolute skills shortage bonus points as follows
- 10 points: 2 to 5 years
- 15 points: 6 or more years
4. Qualifications
- 40 points: Recognised level 4-6 qualification (e.g. trade qualification, diploma) or Level 3 qualification on the List of Qualifications Exempt from Assessment.
- 50 points: Recognised level 7 or 8 qualification (e.g. bachelor degree, bachelor degree with honours)
- 70 points: Recognised level 9 or 10 post-graduate qualification (master’s degree, doctorate)
A recognised qualification is one that’s recognised based on:
- An assessment by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority of the level it occupies on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework (NZQF).
- The level it occupies on the NZQF as set out in the ‘List of Qualifications Exempt from Assessment’.
The level it occupies on the NZQF based on the applicant’s occupational registration in New Zealand (if that registration involves an assessment of comparability with a qualification on the ‘List of Qualifications Exempt from Assessment’)
Bonus points:
- 10 points for either:
- Two years full-time study in New Zealand completing a recognised NZ bachelor degree.
- One year of full-time study in New Zealand completing a recognised NZ post-graduate qualification.
- 15 points:
- Two years of full-time study in New Zealand completing a recognised post-graduate NZ qualification.
5. Your partner’s score
- 10 points: Your partner holds a level 7-8 qualification.
- 20 points: Your partner holds a recognised post-graduate (level 9-10) qualification.
What does your points score tell you?
Your skilled migrant points score not only acts as an indicator to Immigration New Zealand. Your points score also sets out your migration pathway. It does this by revealing three things:
- Whether or not you qualify for a skilled migrant visa.
- If you do not qualify, what other visa options you could pursue.
- The processes you must follow with your application.
Please keep in mind though that eligibility for a skilled migrant visa does not solely depend on your points score. In addition to achieving the necessary points, you must also meet certain basic criteria such being in good health and of good character.
A word of warning
You’ll find many free tools online that offer to help you calculate your skilled migrant points score.
Tread carefully though! Online tools are often nothing more than a series of yes or no questions. Few have detailed descriptions of requirements or provide guidance on the more intricate parts of the immigration act.
You could thus easily get the wrong points score which could mean that you waste money, build up false hopes and perhaps even miss your chance of immigrating to New Zealand.
Instead of relying on an online calculator, rather get a licensed advisor to calculate your points score for you. A licensed advisor who are up to date with Immigration New Zealand’s requirements will ask you the right questions and request additional information where necessary to calculate your points score.
Get assistance and get the correct score
Intergate Emigration has not one but three licensed immigration advisors to assist you with your visa application from start to finish. This includes explaining how the points system work and calculating your New Zealand points score.
All you have to do to get started is book an initial immigration consultation. During this consultation, our licensed immigration advisor will take you through the immigration process and how we can assist you. You’ll also have the opportunity to ask any questions you may have.
What are you waiting for? Contact us today to get the ball rolling!
- Published in Working in New Zealand, Your Visa Application
ANZSCO: These are the 4 facts to know
ANZSCO. You may think this is just another immigration acronym, but you’d be wrong. ANZSCO plays a major role in your immigration if you’re applying under the skilled migrant category.
In fact, you’re more than likely not going to be able to apply for a work visa if you can’t meet ANZSCO’s requirements.
For this reason, it’s important to understand all that ANZSCO entails. While there is a lot of information to know, you really only need to know the four facts below to put yourself in a much better position than most people.
1. ANZSCO is the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations
ANZSCO stands for Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations. It is a system that’s used within the skilled migration programs to set guidelines for the skills and work experience visa applicants must meet to work in specific occupations in Australia or New Zealand.
ANZSCO is a joint venture between the Australian Bureau of Statistics, Statistics New Zealand and The Department of Education and Training.
2. ANZSCO sets skills and work experience standards for the skilled migrant category
As explained above, ANZSCO sets skills and work experience standards for occupations that fall under the skilled migrant category. Further to this, ANZSCO sets out the tasks under each occupation that visa applicants must be able to perform as part of their everyday duties.
What all of the above means is that ANZSCO determines the most important requirements you must meet in order to qualify to apply for a skilled migrant residence and temporary work visa.
The immigration officer assessing your visa application will compare your skills, experience and job duties with those under your occupation on ANZSCO to help her or him come to a decision on your visa application. If you don’t meet all of the requirements, your visa application may be declined.
Let’s look at an example
Let’s assume you’re a chemical engineer for which the ANZSCO code is 233111. According to this code, you must meet these criteria:
- Skill level 1: Bachelor degree or higher. In some instances, experience and/or on-the-job training may also be required.
- Job description: Designs and prepares specifications for chemical process systems and the construction and operation of commercial-scale chemical plants, and supervises industrial processing and fabrication of products undergoing physical and chemical changes.
- Tasks:
- Preparing designs for chemical process systems and planning control systems for processes such as those used to remove and separate components, effect chemical changes, test and evaluate fuels, transfer heat, and control the storing and handling of solids, liquids and gases
- Monitoring the operation and maintenance of equipment to achieve maximum efficiency under safe operating conditions
- Ensuring correct materials and equipment are used and that they conform to specifications
- Diagnosing malfunctions in chemical plants and instituting remedial action
- Studying product utilisation and pollution control problems
- Reviewing plans for new products and submitting material selection recommendations in accordance with design specifications and factors such as strength, weight and cost
- Planning and implementing laboratory operations to develop new materials and fabrication procedures for new materials to fulfil production cost and performance standards
- Conferring with producers of materials during the investigation and evaluation of materials suitable for specific product applications
- Reviewing product failure data and implementing laboratory tests to establish or reject possible causes, and advising on ways to overcome any problems
The immigration officer assessing your application would thus want to see from your CV and official statement of service that you have the relevant qualification and experience to work as a chemical engineer in New Zealand.
Furthermore, the officer would want to see that you can perform most or all of the tasks associated with chemical engineers.
3. There are 5 skill levels within ANZSCO
In ANZSCO, skill level is used as an additional differentiator for occupations. Each occupation’s skill level is derived from the range and complexity of tasks associated with the occupation.
How many skill levels are there?
There are five skill levels of which Skill Level 1 is the highest. This means occupations on Skill Level 1 has the greatest range and complexity of tasks. Examples of occupations on Skill Level 1 are audiologists, social workers and surveyors.
Locksmiths, welders and motor mechanics, for instance, are on Skill Level 3. This means these occupations don’t have as many tasks or tasks that are as complex as the occupations on a higher skill level.
Occupations on Skill Level 5 have the smallest range of tasks with the least complexity.
4. You cannot ‘mix and match’ occupations
When applying for a skilled migrant resident or temporary work visa, your occupation and experience must be highly relevant as per the ANZSCO lead statement of the occupation you want to nominate.
Your occupation and experience must also match most of the duties listed. This does however not mean that you or your employer can simply ‘copy and paste’ the ANZSCO description to your application.
Here’s an example of what we mean:
Let’s assume Jane is working as a tutor. Jane might think that she can apply for a visa as a teacher. The job descriptions are similar, after all.
However, many of the tasks associated with teachers on ANZSCO is not performed by tutors. For instance, participating in staff meetings and performing extra-curricular activities such as assisting with sports at the school.
In the same way, a secondary school teacher cannot apply for a visa as a special education teacher. These are in the same profession but are not the same occupation with the same experience.
What if my occupation is not on the ANZSCO list?
There could be two reasons why you can’t find your occupation on ANZSCO:
- Your occupation title is a modern title which was developed more recently. ANZSCO does often not accommodate modern job titles.
- Your occupation is on the list but your job title doesn’t match the occupation title as it appears on ANZSCO. Some occupations are the same when you look at the responsibilities but might not have the same title across the industry. For example, some people call themselves ‘speech-language pathologists’ while others give themselves the title of ‘speech and language therapist’. It’s the same job – speech therapy – but just with another title.
If your occupation does not appear on the ANZSCO list, you should ensure that you:
- look at all other available titles, and
- select the most appropriate job title.
When you do this, you’ll increase the chances of the visa officer being satisfied that you can do ‘most’ of the tasks for the occupation recorded in ANZSCO.
Do you feel you need the assistance of an immigration agent?
You’re always welcome to contact us for assistance. Our immigration advisors are registered and licensed with the IAA in New Zealand. This means you can rest assured that you’ll get advice that you can trust.
You can contact us online or give us a call on +27 (0) 21 202 8200 for a free consultation to see if you stand a chance of qualifying for a general skilled migration visa. If everything points to the fact that you, you can go ahead and do an assessment.
Who knows – perhaps you find yourself living and working in New Zealand soon!
- Published in Working in New Zealand, Your Visa Application
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 – by doing a side-by-side comparison of these 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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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)
TOEFL iBT: Reading: (54 – 72 min):
You’ll read three or four passages from academic texts and answer 30 to 40 questions.
Part 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.
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
TOEFL iBT: Listening (41 – 57 min):
You’ll listen to lectures, classroom discussions and conversations, then answer 28 – 39 questions.
Part 3
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.
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.
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
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 – Only applies to IELTS and TOEFL iBT
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.
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:
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.
PTE Academic
PTE Academic results are typically available within five business days.
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 roundabout 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 New Zealand Immigration Advice, Your Visa Application
What is a licensed immigration advisor for New Zealand?
A licensed immigration advisor for New Zealand is a professional who is there to help you with your immigration. They operate in a regulated environment meaning you get qualified advice and expert guidance with the backing of the Immigration Advisors Authority.
Not just anyone can call themselves a licensed advisor though and below we guide you through what an advisor is.
Background
Moving to a new country is never easy. In fact it can be one of the most stressful times of your entire life.
One of the best ways to lighten the burden and to get some much needed support, is to make use of a fully licensed immigration advisor for New Zealand.
Therefore knowing the difference between someone who is licensed as opposed to someone who isn’t will prove extremely valuable.
All about Licensed Immigration Advisors for New Zealand
How do you find a Licensed Immigration Advisor for New Zealand ?
The easiest way to find a licensed immigration advisor for New Zealand is to visit the official IAA website. You can also contact us here to speak to one of Intergate Emigration’s licensed advisors.
The role of a Licensed Immigration Advisor
According to the law, anybody who provides advice with regard to immigration to New Zealand is required to be licensed by the Immigration Advisor’s Authority, unless they are exempt. No other person or company may provide you with advice concerning New Zealand immigration and visa applications.
Not all Licensed Immigration Advisor’s are the same
There are three types of licensed immigration advisors:
- Full.
- Provisional.
- Limited.
Let’s discuss each one of these in more detail in order for you to gain a better understanding.
1.A Fully Licensed Immigration Advisor. Provides you with information pertaining to a vast range of immigration matters. They have the knowledge and expertise to deal with all immigration related matters.
2.A Provisionally Licensed Immigration Advisor. Provides you with information about all immigration related matters, however the fundamental difference is that they need to be fully supervised by a full license holder.
3.A limited Licensed Immigration Advisor. Only able to provide you with advice on specific and limited immigration matters.
Code of Conduct of a Licensed Immigration Advisor
A Licensed Immigration Advisor also has to meet very high competency standards and they follow a highly professional code of conduct.
This code of conduct require advisor’s to:
- Be professional, honest and respectful at all times.
- To provide clients with updates on an ongoing basis.
- To only charge fees which are reasonable and fair.
What is the scope of a Licensed Immigration Advisor For New Zealand?
Some of the many things a New Zealand immigration advisor can help you with:
- Assist and prepare your visa application.
- Assist you with settling into New Zealand.
- Assess the process with regard to if you are able to appeal a visa which was declined.
- Have the competency to assess if you are in New Zealand unlawfully.
- Help you to explore the broad range of visa options.
- Assist you in choosing the best via option for you.
Company versus individual licensing
It is important for us to stress that a person is licensed and not a company. Therefore a company is not able to market themselves as being “licensed” for New Zealand immigration. They are only allowed to market the person who is licensed.
Be sure of your Licensed Immigration Advisor
- Any person who provides you with New Zealand immigration advice; that is not licensed or exempt; is actually committing an offense under the immigration act.
- If you were to use such a person your application will be turned down.
- Unlicensed ‘sales people’ are not qualified to provide you with advice. They may also end up costing you money and your chances of emigrating.
Therefore always check that your ‘advisor’ is indeed a Licensed Immigration Advisor for New Zealand.
Does Intergate Immigration have a fully licensed immigration advisor?
Intergate Emigration has 3 licensed immigration advisors:
- Katrin Maja Maehl (IAA License No. 201400975). You can view her license information on the Immigration Advisers Authority website.
- Sarah Hewitt (IAA License No. 201600296). Sarah’s link on the Immigration Advisers Authority website is here.
- Maike Engelke (IAA License number 201600505). Maike’s link on the Immigration Advisers Authority website is here.
Booking a New Zealand assessment or finding out more:
To find out more about our services or book an assessment with us simply call us on +27 (0) 202 8200. Alternatively, send us an email.
- Published in Your Visa Application
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 Your Visa Application
New Zealand Immigration Glossary
Immigration to New Zealand is an adventure countless families from around the world undertake each year in search of a better life.
It’s no simple task though, this immigration business. Many hopeful immigrants don’t even know where to start!
The process isn’t made any simpler by the foreign terms and phrases found in immigration material.
That’s why we compiled a New Zealand immigration glossary, to help you understand various terminologies associated with emigrating to Australia’s neighbour.
Below you’ll find the full list of words and phrases plus their meanings. Why don’t you contact us when you’re done reading and we’ll also tell you the best way to start your immigration?
Acceptable qualification
An acceptable qualification for a post-study work visa:
- Is a New Zealand qualification listed on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework (NZQF).
- Involves 60 weeks of study at Levels 4 to 6, or 30 weeks or more of study at Level 7 and above.
Accredited employer
This is a New Zealand employer, who has accreditation to employ people under the New Zealand Work Policy, approved by the NZIS.
Adult child
This refers to a child who is 17 years of age or older.
ANZSCO
The Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations. It is published on the Australian Bureau of Statistics website and it is the system Immigration New Zealand use to check:
- The skill levels of jobs.
- The qualifications and/or experience needed to work in those jobs.
Biometrics
Biometrics is a means of identifying and authenticating a person through features of that person’s body. The most common examples of this are:
- Fingerprints.
- Face structure (photos).
Certified copy
A photocopy stamped or signed by a person as a true copy of the original. The certifier must be authorized by law to take statutory declarations in your home country or in New Zealand. Examples of such persons are lawyers, Justice of the Peace, and court officials.
Civil union
Civil unions may be between partners of the same or opposite sex. A civil union has the same property and civil rights as a marriage.
Close family
You or your partner’s adult brothers or sisters, adult children or parents are considered close family members.
De facto partner
A person who is living in a genuine and stable relationship with their partner, for a minimum of 12 consecutive months.
EOI – Expression of Interest
When you are looking to immigrate to New Zealand, everything is dependent on your points score. This is obtained by an assessment in order to determine your eligibility.
The Expression of Interest (EOI) is the initial application stage for New Zealand immigration. Applicants under the skilled migration category will need to complete an Expression of Interest.
If you meet the criteria for the points score, you’ll be able to submit an Expression of Interest.
Essential Skills in Demand Lists
The Essential Skills in Demand Lists details the occupations in New Zealand in need of qualified and experienced talent. There are three lists:
- Long Term Skills Shortage List
- Immediate Skills Shortage List
- Construction and Infrastructure Skills Shortage List.
Full birth certificate
A full birth certificate includes your full name, you date and place of birth, and your parents’ full names.
Full-time job
A job where you work at least 30 hours a week.
Full-time study
Full-time study is where you either:
- Attend a course at a private training establishment for at least 20 hours a week; or
- Enroll for at least three papers, or equivalent, each semester at a University or Polytechnic, or a level 7 or higher qualification at a private training establishment.
Genuine and stable partnership
A relationship that has been entered into on a long term and exclusive basis, and that is likely to last.
Good health
To be eligible for immigration to New Zealand, you must be in good health which means you must meet certain health requirements as determined by Immigration New Zealand. You’ll be considered in good health if you’re:
- Unlikely to be a danger to the health of the people already in New Zealand.
- Unlikely to be a financial burden on the New Zealand health or special education services.
- Able to work or study if this is the reason for your visa.
IELTS
The International English Language Testing System. You may be required to do this English language test to demonstrate that you can speak, read, write and listen in English.
Immigration Advisers Authority
People who give New Zealand immigration advice must be licensed with The Immigration Advisers Authority unless they are exempt. This is a requirement by law.
INZ
Immigration New Zealand. INZ is part of the New Zealand Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment and is responsible for border control, issuing travel visas and managing immigration to New Zealand.
Invitation to Apply
This simply refers to a stage of the skilled migration visa application process. If you meet certain criteria, you will receive an Invitation to Apply.
Labour market test
Labour market tests are conducted by Immigration New Zealand before granting a work visa under the skilled migrant visa category. The purpose of this test is to check whether:
- An employer has made a genuine attempt to attract and recruit suitable New Zealanders for a job.
- There are any suitable New Zealanders to do a job, or who can be trained to do a job.
Long Term Skill Shortage List (LTSSL)
This is a list of long term and highly skilled occupations which there is a shortage of and a strong demand in the New Zealand. Should your occupation be on this list, then you could prospectively qualify for the skilled migrant visa.
Licensed immigration adviser
Licensed immigration advisers for New Zealand have specialised expertise. They have met competency standards and they follow a professional code of conduct.
Advisers are able to help you in the following ways:
- Explore your visa options.
- Prepare your visa application.
- Settle into New Zealand.
- Determine if you can appeal a declined visa.
- Determine your options if you are in New Zealand unlawfully.
Migration points
The majority of visa options will require you to be assessed against a point’s criterion in order to determine if you qualify or not.
Minimum threshold
The minimum threshold is the lowest number of points you need to score for your Expression of Interest to enter the Expression of Interest pool. This threshold is currently set at 100 points.
New Zealand Qualifications Authority
The New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) is a government agency responsible for:
- Setting the standards for New Zealand qualifications and recognising overseas qualifications.
- Administering the New Zealand Qualifications Framework and assessing overseas qualifications against it.
Non-principal applicants
These are anyone included in a visa application that is not the principal applicant. For example, the applicant’s partner or dependent children.
Occupational registration
Registration with a New Zealand registration authority that allows you to work in a particular occupation in New Zealand.
Offer of employment
An offer of employment is a genuine and sustainable opportunity. The physical offer must include the following:
- Name, address, telephone and/or fax number of the employer.
- Name and address of the person to whom the job offer is extended.
- A full job description including details such as the job title, the type of work, duties and responsibilities involved, and details pay and conditions of employment. Please note this is not the full set of criteria for the job description.
Partner
A person you are legally married to, or in a civil union or de facto relationship with, and who you live with in a genuine and stable partnership. Partners can be of the same or opposite sex.
Principal applicant
This is the primary person who will be assessed against the criteria of a resident visa.
Recognised qualification
Qualifications that are recognised based on:
- An assessment by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority.
- The NZQF level as set out in the ‘List of Qualifications Exempt from Assessment’.
- The NZQF level based on your occupational registration in New Zealand.
Resident
This refers to a person who holds a current New Zealand residence permit or alternatively a New Zealand returning resident’s visa.
Skilled employment
Employment that you need specialist, technical or management expertise and relevant qualifications and/or work experience to do, and which meets a minimum pay threshold.
Skilled migration
New Zealand requires a certain amount of skilled workers that it needs to attract from overseas. Individuals will need to meet a certain set of criteria in terms of their profession, experience, skills and qualifications. If these criteria are met, the applicant is classified as a skilled migrant.
Sponsorship
A guarantee from a person, organisation or government agency to look after you while you visit, study, work or settle in New Zealand. If your stay is temporary, your sponsor must also guarantee the cost of your return home.
Student visa
If you wish to study in New Zealand as a foreign student, you will need to obtain a student visa for New Zealand.
Substantial invest
This refers to the purchase of at least a minimum requirement of 25% or more of the shareholding of the business.
Visa
Your New Zealand visa shows that you’re able to travel to, or stay in New Zealand temporarily or indefinitely.
Visa waiver country
If you are coming from a visa waiver country to New Zealand, you will not need to obtain a visitor’s visa before you travel.
Work
An activity you perform for which you are remunerated either in salary or wagers, or another benefit like accommodation, food or transport. There are certain activities which are not considered as ‘work’ – please consult with our advisers if you’d like to find out what these activities are.
Work to Residence
You may have outstanding talent in a certain area, such as sports, art or culture. You could then apply to work in New Zealand under the Work to Residence programme.
This will help you gain access to being able to work on a temporary basis in New Zealand. The work visa obtained in this regard can be used as a tool to gain permanent residency.
Source: www.immigration.govt.nz
- Published in Your Visa Application
4 Tips for English language test preparation
If there is one part of the immigration process that’s underestimated by many, it’s the English language test.
“But I can speak English, it won’t be a problem”, we hear you say.
This may be the case, but can you speak English to the level Immigration New Zealand requires? How’s your spelling and grammar? And when was the last time you were subjected to the nail-biting anxiety of having to complete a test in a certain time?
Your English language test score is an important part of your visa application. It could even mean the difference between being able to submit a visa application or not. Won’t you want to be as prepared as can be?
Tip 1: Understand the test format
The most common English language tests are the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) and the PTE Academic (Pearson Test of English Academic).
Both of these tests consist of four parts:
- Listening
- Reading
- Writing
- Speaking
In turn, each part consists of a set of questions and tasks. Familiarising yourself with all the parts, questions and tasks will prepare you for what’s coming on test day. Going in blind is setting yourself up for failure!
Let’s give you the Reading section of the IELTS as an example:
The Reading section consists of 40 questions and you have 60 minutes to answer them. You’ll get tested on a wide range of reading skills which include:
- Reading for gist, main ideas and detail.
- Skimming.
- Understanding logical argument.
- Recognising writers’ opinions, attitudes and purpose.
The reading material will come from materials you are likely to encounter on daily basis in an English-speaking environment such extracts from books, magazines, company handbooks, and advertisements.
When it comes to the questions, you can expect a variety of questions ranging from multiple choice and identifying information to summary completion and matching features.
And while this may be the reading part of your English language test, you will be penalized for poor spelling and grammar!
Can you already see why it’s important to prepare for your English test?
Tip 2: Practice with sample tests
Completing sample test materials will help to prepare you for the test in a big way! You’ll be able to:
- Familiarise yourself with the test format.
- Experience the types of tasks you’ll be asked to do.
- Test yourself under timed conditions.
- Review your answers and compare them with model answers.
This is like the tests that came before the big end-of-year exams at school. Do you think you would’ve done half as good in the exam if you didn’t write the tests beforehand?
Both IELTS and Pearson have sample tests available on their websites, and you download it here and here.
Tip 3: Consider working with an English language teacher
You don’t have to prepare for this important test on your own! You are allowed to work with an English language test teacher.
Most teachers work with you over Skype but there also teachers who’ll meet up face-to-face. The content of the session and the support provided also range from one teacher to the next.
In general though you can expect English language teachers to introduce you to the test format, take you through sample tests, give feedback, and focus on your developmental areas. Some teachers also provide you with learning materials and ebooks.
Intergate has a list of English language teachers we recommend and you can access this list if you’re a client of ours. If you haven’t asked us for this list yet, do so today.
Tip 4: Know what to expect on test day
Cast your mind back to those important end-of-year exams at school. Remember how you had to be seated at a certain time? Remember that you had have at least two pens, a ruler and a pencil?
The English language test environment is similar. You’ll obviously have to be on time, but there are in fact also items to bring to the exam. One such item is a means of identification.
If you’re an Intergate Emigration client, your advisor will be able to advise you on exactly what to expect on test day. Alternatively, you can chat to your English language teacher who’ll also be able to guide you.
In summary…
This is not ‘just’ an English test.
Your English language test score counts towards your overall points score which determine whether or not you can live and work in New Zealand. Scoring well is thus important if you want to boost your chances of immigrating.
If you don’t prepare you’re potentially setting yourself up for failure – and we’re sure you wouldn’t want to do that.
- Published in New Zealand Immigration Advice, Your Visa Application
New Zealand Immigration Points Explained
If you’re reading this it means you have questions about New Zealand immigration points for skilled migration. We’re not surprised, really. Most people want to start by calculating their points, but few people understand how to do it.
Today, we’re going to break it down for you. We’ll explain:
- The purpose of the points system.
- Exactly what you get points for.
- Why you shouldn’t necessarily trust online immigration points calculators
The New Zealand immigration points system
The Skilled Migrant process includes four main steps:
- Determining your points score.
- Submitting an Expression of Interest.
- Receiving an Invitation to Apply.
- Applying for the Skilled Migrant visa.
You’ll only be able to submit an Expression of Interest if you score 100 points or more in your skills assessment. Then, once your Expression of Interest is in the pool, your points score will enable Immigration New Zealand (INZ) to decide whether or not you are a desirable candidate for a visa.
High points score = High desirability
Expressions of Interest are ranked using the points score. Those candidates with higher scores are seen as more desirable, as these candidates can offer New Zealand more. INZ will thus use the points scores to help them decide which candidates should get Invitations to Apply.
What do you get New Zealand immigration points for?
New Zealand immigration points are awarded for Age, Skilled Employment, Work Experience, and Qualifications in the following manner:
Age
- 30 points: 20-39 years
- 20 points: 40-44 years
- 10 points: 45-49 years
- 5 points: 50-55 years
Please note if you are older than 55 years of age you will not qualify.
Skilled employment
- 50 points: if you have an offer of skilled employment in New Zealand.
- 50 points: if you are currently employed in a skilled occupation in New Zealand.
Bonus points
- 10 points where you are:
- In an occupation in an area of absolute skills shortage, or
- Employed in work in a region outside Auckland
- 20 points if:
- Your income is more than twice the New Zealand median income.
- Your partner also has a skilled job or job offer.
Work experience in skilled employment
- 10 points: 2 years
- 20 points: 4 years
- 30 points: 6 years
- 40 points: 8 years
- 50 points: 10 years
Bonus points for work experience in New Zealand
- 10 points: 12 months or more
And if the work experience in an area of absolute skills shortage bonus points as follows:
- 10 points: 2 to 5 years
- 15 points: 6 or more years
Qualifications
- 40 points: recognised level 4-6 qualification (e.g. trade qualification, diploma) or Level 3 qualification on the List of Qualifications Exempt from Assessment.
- 50 points: recognised level 7 or 8 qualification (e.g. bachelor degree, bachelor degree with honours)
- 70 points: recognised level 9 or 10 post-graduate qualification (master’s degree, doctorate)
Bonus points for qualifications
- 10 points for either:
- Two years full-time study in New Zealand completing a recognised NZ bachelor degree.
- One year of full-time study in New Zealand completing a recognised NZ post-graduate qualification.
- 15 points: Two years of full-time study in New Zealand completing a recognised post-graduate NZ qualification.
- 10 points: Your partner holds a level 7-8 qualification.
- 20 points: Your partner holds a recognised post-graduate (level 9-10) qualification.
The danger of online calculators
We can’t discuss New Zealand immigration points without touching on online immigration points calculators.
Why is this?
Because these free online tools are often inaccurate, yet many people unfortunately pursue immigration based on the results of online assessments.
Here is the big issue with free online assessments:
More often than not it is a series of questions with ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answers. The problem with this is that emigration is a detailed and intricate environment. For example, you may have a qualification, but is it recognized in New Zealand? Online assessments will ask the former, but won’t determine the latter.
In other words, the results from free online assessments are no more than indicators of your eligibility. Your actual points score could, and most likely will, differ from the total you got online.
This is the only way to get an accurate immigration points score…
It is with a comprehensive assessment done by a licensed immigration adviser who knows the New Zealand immigration act and who can ask the right questions – not just the ‘yes’ and ‘no’ questions.
Any other approach is likely to lead to wasted effort and money early in the immigration process.
If you’d like to speak an adviser, you are welcome to contact us. You can call us on +27 (0) 21 202 8200 or book a free initial assessment with an adviser right away. This assessment will reveal any migration pathways open to you. Thereafter, should the signs be positive, you can choose to proceed with a comprehensive assessment.
- Published in Working in New Zealand, Your Visa Application
What is the New Zealand Expression of Interest?
There are many parts to Skilled Migrant visa application. One of these parts is the New Zealand Expression of Interest. Continue reading to find out what it is and where it fits into the process.
What is the Expression of Interest?
The Expression of Interest is the manner in which an applicant indicates their interest in applying for a Skilled Migrant visa.
What is the New Zealand Expression of Interest made up of?
Your EOI’s purpose is to indicate your suitability for a Skilled Migrant visa to INZ. For this reason, your EOI will include information relating to your:
- Health
- Character
- Age
- English language ability
Your EOI will also include information on the factors that’ll earn you points on your assessment.
Where does the EOI fit into the Skilled Migrant application process?
The EOI is the third step in your Skilled Migrant visa application:
Step 1:
The first step is making sure that you meet the basic requirements:
- You’re 55 or younger.
- You’re of good health.
- You meet New Zealand’s character requirements.
- You meet the English language standards for the Skilled Migrant visa.
Step 2:
The second step is doing a points-based assessment. You’ll have to score 100 points or more to move ahead with the application process.
Step 3:
If you’ve scored enough points, you’ll now submit your Expression of Interest.
Step 4:
Invitation to Apply, if you’re EOI was successful.
What happens after the EOI is submitted?
One of two things can happen once you’ve submitted your EOI:
- Your score is 160 or more: Your EOI is accepted and you receive an Invitation to Apply for a Skilled Migrant visa.
- Your score between 100 and 159 points: Your EOI is accepted, but you’ll have secure a job offer in order to receive an Invitation to Apply.
Of course, if your EOI does not meet the criteria, it won’t be accepted and you won’t receive an Invitation to Apply. In this case, you’ll have to consider an Essential Skills Work Visa.
Are there fees involved in the EOI?
Submitting an Expression of Interest does incur a fee from Immigration New Zealand. You can view the tariffs here. Keep in mind also that registered immigration advisors may charge you an additional fee to submit your EOI.
How long does my EOI stay in the pool?
An EOI is valid for 6 months. If you have not been selected from the pool of applicants in this time then you will need to reapply.
Do you have more questions?
Please feel free to contact us should you have any other questions about the New Zealand Expression of Interest. You can either call us on +27 (0) 11 123 4274 or +27 (0) 21 424 2460 or email us.
- Published in Working in New Zealand, Your Visa Application
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