New Zealand: Recent immigration updates
Immigration New Zealand implemented three changes to New Zealand’s immigration procedures and rules in July 2018. It’s important to know about these changes, as they may affect your visa application or eligibility.
1. Minimum income thresholds
On 1 July 2018, the minimum income requirement for Essential Skills and Religious Worker work visa holders with dependent children in New Zealand increased to NZ$42,944.20.
Please note that this threshold is different to the skill-band remuneration rates for Essential Skills work visas. Feel free to contact us should you have questions around these rates and minimum income thresholds.
2. Online visa application for dependents
Partners or dependent children are now able to apply online for a visitor, student, work or resident visa based on the immigration status of the supporting family member.
This means applications can now be submitted as a family group together with the main applicant, i.e. the supporting family members, and applicants can upload documents to a portal instead of sending in original documents.
The main applicant must be either a:
- New Zealand citizen; or
- New Zealand visa holder (resident, work or student); or
- Visa applicant.
3. No more visa labels
Physical visa labels are no longer issued by Immigration New Zealand, unless specifically requested by an applicant.
INZ now only issues eVisas, which visa holders must print and carry with the physical passport for international travelling. eVisas can be used immediately after issue and passports no longer have to be submitted for label endorsement.
The only exception is for students using Provider Direct. INZ will review the use of labels for this students using this online service next year.
Stay up to date with future changes
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