Questions
Who can be included in an Application for Residence?
What is a principal applicant?
How are points for work experience calculated?
What requirements must be met to claim points for a job offer?
Is there a policy that allows an applicant to "retire" in New Zealand?
What is IELTS?
What is the IELTS pass mark?
Which IELTS examination do I need to sit?
Where would I sit an IELTS test?
What is a base qualification?
What is the New Zealand Qualifications Authority?
How long does an NZQA assessment take?
Can the evaluation given by the NZQA be reviewed?
If I obtain a job, will this entitle me to residence after a period of time?
Is there a minimum amount of money I must transfer to New Zealand?
What is a close family member?
How long is it before I have to move to New Zealand after I have been approved for permanent residence?
What happens if I cannot arrive in New Zealand within the correct timeframe?
What is a Residence Permit?
As an Australian citizen or resident, can I come to New Zealand?
My existing medical condition is covered by medical insurance overseas. Can I use this to help me gain residence?
If I have an accident or require an emergency operation what costs will I have to pay?
How long will my application take to be processed?
What is the difference between permanent residence and citizenship?
How long am I bound to a New Zealand employer, if I have used a job offer in my Application for Residence?
Is it essential to travel to New Zealand to get a job?
What is New Zealand's climate?
What benefits will I enjoy as a permanent resident?
Can I buy a property in New Zealand, and if I do, will it entitle me to New Zealand residence?
Does the 'land of the long white cloud' mean that New Zealand is always covered in cloud?
Is there any legal requirement to register with any authority in New Zealand?
What is the average cost of living in New Zealand?
What is the average wage or salary in New Zealand?
What video system does New Zealand use?
How do I open a bank account in New Zealand?
Can I transfer my pension?
Can I bring my pets to New Zealand?
What electrical goods can I safely bring to New Zealand?
What can I bring with me when I migrate?
Do I need to be interviewed by the NZIS?
Who can sponsor me into New Zealand?
What is the difference between a visa and a permit?
Will an existing medical condition affect my Application for Residence?
Who can be included in an Application for Residence?
As well as the applicant, the applicant's partner and dependent children can be included in the one application. "Partner" includes wife or a de facto partner who has lived with the applicant in a genuine and stable relationship for over 12 months. Dependent children means unmarried children who are childless aged up to 24 years of age or younger who are dependant on their parents for support. De facto may be same sex.
Parents and siblings cannot be included in an application, and must make a separate application in their own right, which may rely on the original principal applicant's case being successful.
If you are engaged to a non-New Zealander, the situation is different. A fiance(e) in a situation where the couple have not lived together for at least 12 months, may not meet the de facto policy, although there is a policy that allows fiances to visit New Zealand for culturally arranged marriages.
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Who is a principal applicant?
The principal applicant is the applicant for Residence, rather than any spouse or children. That person must meet the requirements of policy, and is the person who completes and application form as the applicant. The person who is principal applicant, then must meet the requirements of the Returning Resident's Visa Policy, in order to give his/her other family members full residence status.
(See also Returning Residents Visa information)
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How are points for work experience calculated?
Points for work-experience are calculated on the basis of an irregular scale for skilled employment to 10 years unless the applicant has a job offer in New Zealand. Work experience must be full-time (30 hrs per week). Work experience at less than 30 hours per week can be accumulated to the point that it equates to a full-time equivalent. Extra work experience points can be claimed for work experience in New Zealand. Work experienced will only be considered relevant if it was gained while working in a Western Country or for a multinational domiciled in a Western country.
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What requirements must be met to claim points for a job offer?
To receive the full points for a job offer, the offer must be full-time (over 30 hours per week), permanent, and come from a New Zealand employer. It must be current at the time of your application, and often will need to be reconfirmed at the time the processing is completed.
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Is there policy that allows an applicant to "retire" in New Zealand?
New Zealand does not have a "retirement" policy. If an applicant cannot meet any of the standard policies, then the applicant will not be able to move on a permanent basis to New Zealand. At best, they could come as visitors, and spend 6 out of 12 months in New Zealand, or a maximum of 9 out of 18 months here. In the event that you wish to simply retire in New Zealand, your Pacific & Global consultant will investigate any opportunities under the various policies currently available.
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What is IELTS?
IELTS stands for International English Language Testing System, and this is the standard that the NZIS have decided will act as definitive proof to them of the English language ability of applicants for Residence under Skilled Migrant, Long Term Businss Visa and Business Investor categories only. (For more information visit the IELTS web site)
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What is the IELTS pass mark?
For Skilled Migrant applicants, the IELTS pass mark is an average of 6.5. For Business Investor applicants, the average pass mark is 5.
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Which IELTS examination do I need to sit?
There are two tests within the IELTS system: Academic and General. The NZIS will accept either test result. For NZIS purposes, the General test is acceptable, but the Academic will also be accepted. Applicants who need occupational registration, may be required to sit the Academic test, and should check this out in advance, with the appropriate body.
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Where would I sit an IELTS test?
IELTS test centres are available in most countries; the only major exception being the U.S.A. You can either locate your nearest centre via the IELTS website, or contact the local British Council. Alternately, once you are a client of Pacific & Global, your consultant will direct you to the nearest and most appropriate office if required.
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What is a base qualification?
In terms of immigration policy, a base qualification is considered to be an overseas qualification that has an equivalent in New Zealand, which would take at least 2 years to complete. Whether that qualification took considerably more to complete off-shore, is not relevant. The qualification could be from a technical institute, university, or other diploma providing institution or training establishment. The NZIS have their own manuals for deciding the comparability of qualifications with New Zealand equivalents, and in the event that they are unsure, you will always be referred to the New Zealand Qualifications Authority for an independent assessment, which the NZIS will accept. There are many exceptions to this basic rule depending on whether the qualification is TRADE, VOCATIONAL or ACADEMIC. Refer to your consultant for advice. Partial qualifications will not be considered, while several, if consistent, may be accumulated.
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What is the New Zealand Qualifications Authority?
The NZQA is an independent Government body, not associated with the NZIS. One of its roles is to conduct independent evaluations of overseas qualifications.
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How long does an NZQA assessment take?
A qualifications assessment will generally take between 6 to 8 weeks, but may take considerably longer, depending on the quality of the documentation presented and the response times of the awarding institutions.
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Can the evaluation given by the NZQA be reviewed?
Yes. However, after a period of time it could become a fresh evaluation, rather than a simple review. A further fee may apply. We have challenged many NZQA reports and achieved success in overturning them by providing fresh information.
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If I obtain a job, will this entitle me to residence after a period of time?
Holding a Work Permit and working in New Zealand for a period of time, has no effect on your entitlement to residence of New Zealand unless it comes under the Work to Residence criteria. Applicants must still meet residence policy on the day their application is lodged. This policy is about to change in favour of the Work Permit holder. It is possible to work to Residence in certain Circumstances.
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Is there a minimum amount of money I must transfer to New Zealand?
Other than that, there is no requirement for you to transfer funds to New Zealand, but you must be aware that as a new arrival, you will not be entitled to welfare or unemployment benefits for 2 years from the date of your arrival. If you obtain residence via the Investor route, you must transfer at least $NZ1,000,000 (or the amount you claimed points for) to New Zealand and keep it here for 2 years
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What is a close family member?
For Family Category applications, a close family member includes parents, brothers and sisters and children over the age of 18, who are able to financially support the applicant(s).
Under Skilled Migrant Policy a close family member includes parents, siblings and children, who have had permanent residence for over 3 years, and be living in New Zealand at the time the application is lodged.
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How long is it before I have to move to New Zealand after I have been approved for permanent residence?
There will be a point in time at which you will have been "approved in principle". From that day, you will have 6 months in which to complete any requirements that are imposed on you by that approval in principle, and a total of 12 months from that original date for everyone included in the application to have arrived once in New Zealand. That arrival initiates a Returning Resident's Visa (RRV), which is valid for 2 years. Therefore, it is conceivable that you could delay a final arrival in New Zealand for up to 3 years. Doing so, however, would severely restrict your ability to travel outside New Zealand. (Find out more on our RRV information page.)
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What happens if I cannot arrive in New Zealand within the correct timeframe?
Any family members in the application who do not meet the requirement to arrive in New Zealand within 12 months of the approval in principle date, will have their Residence Visa lapse, and thereby be unable to take up Permanent Residence. A new application would need to be lodged for that person, and they would need to meet policy as it stood on the date they applied. It is important to note that each person's requirement is only to enter for a short time, and they can leave once they have completed their RRV immigration formalities.
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What is a Residence Permit?
Every time a person with a valid Residence Visa or RRV enters New Zealand, they are given a Residence Permit. That permit entitles the holder to remain in New Zealand, indefinitely. That person will always be in New Zealand legally, whether their RRV is valid or not, whether they are the holder of a valid passport or not. The Residence Permit expires when the person leaves New Zealand. That person will only be able to re-enter New Zealand if they hold a valid RRV.
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As an Australian citizen or resident, can I come to New Zealand?
Australian citizens may enter New Zealand at any time, and remain for as long as they wish. Persons with a valid Australian Resident's Return Visa may enter New Zealand, and will be given an equivalent Returning Resident's Visa from New Zealand. Australian citizens and residents will be treated as New Zealand residents in terms of their ability to sponsor relatives from overseas.
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My existing medical condition is covered by medical insurance overseas. Can I use this to help me gain residence?
In terms of immigration policy, an existing medical condition is considered in terms of the condition, not in terms of whether you have made a decision you would return to your home country for treatment. Because New Zealand has a free medical service, applicants are not able to opt or contract out of the medical system. For example, it will be difficult to refuse to be taken to hospital after you had been hit by a bus, simply because you had contracted not to use the medical services in New Zealand.
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If I have an accident or require an emergency operation what costs will I have to pay?
If you have permanent residence, and are admitted to a hospital for treatment, you will not need to pay for that treatment.
All New Zealand Residents are eligible for "Accident Compensation". The monetary benefits of the compensation varies depending on the treatment provider and the nature of the treatment required.
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How long will my application take to be processed?
Processing times vary widely from branch to branch. In the very best of cases, it can take a matter of days, but it is more likely, on average, to take at least 6-9 months, although the New Zealand Immigration Service (NZIS) target is 3 months, the reality is that in some Branches it is going to take significantly longer (6-12 months). Because, in order to reduce backlogs, files may be moved from branch to branch, world-wide, processing times can change in a matter of weeks, from a relatively short period of time to a significantly longer period of time. Your Pacific & Global consultant will be able to indicate what current processing times would be applicable for the branch where your application would have to be lodged.
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What is the difference between Permanent Residence and Citizenship?
Permanent residence is the right to reside in New Zealand permanently, while that person has in the passport of their home country, a valid Residence Permit, or if out of New Zealand, a valid Returning Resident's Visa. The right to residence may therefore lapse if that person does not have at least one of those visas/permits unless the person has obtained an Indefinite returning Residence Visa. Your Pacific & Global consultant can advise you on the finer details of this process.
Citizenship, on the other hand, gives the person the right to a New Zealand passport.
Citizenship applications are not handled by the Immigration Department, but by the Department of Internal Affairs. Applicants must have lbeen Permanent Residents of New Zealand for at least 5 years before they can apply. Citizenship does not lapse if one is out of the country for any period of time. Your Pacific & Global consultant can advise you on the finer details of citizenship.
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How long am I bound to a New Zealand employer, if I have used a job offer in my Application for Residence?
An employee is entitled to give notice and resign at any time; the length of notice will have been specified in the employment contract; or if not, is usually the length of time between pay periods.
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Is it essential to travel to New Zealand to get a job?
Like most employers, New Zealanders prefer to meet prospective employees, face to face, before making a job offer. There are only a very few exceptions to this. Your Pacific & Global consultant can advise on a case by case basis.
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What is New Zealand's climate?
Generally, the North Island of New Zealand has a temperate climate, with the South Island's being cooler. For more accurate information, we suggest you visit this site.
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What benefits will I enjoy as a Permanent Resident?
As a Permanent Resident, persons entering New Zealand, you are entitled to all that New Zealand resident's and citizens are entitled to, with the exception of:
Unemployment, welfare and student benefits for the first 2 years from their arrival date.
To travel on a New Zealand passport, until they have met the requirements of the Citizenship Act.
Some government agencies require all staff to be citizens of New Zealand.
Other than the above, as a resident you will enjoy all other benefits and privileges that New Zealanders do. In particular, as a resident, education and medical costs are as for New Zealand residents.
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Can I buy a property in New Zealand, and if I do, will it entitle me to New Zealand residence?
As a non-resident, a person may buy property in New Zealand up to 1.25 hectares in area size. Over that size, Overseas Investment Commission approval may need to be obtained, before the purchase will be allowed. As a New Zealand resident, there are no restrictions on property purchases. Please note that the owning of property as an overseas citizen, does not entitle the owner to any exemptions for meeting residence policy. On its own, ownership of land in New Zealand does not qualify a person for residence.
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Does the 'land of the long white cloud' mean that New Zealand is always covered in cloud?
Aotearoa (the land of the long white cloud in Maori) was the name that the original Maori migrants gave to New Zealand, as it was the first indication they had from their canoes that there was land ahead. As a country surrounded by water, New Zealand would have more cloud cover than the interior of large land masses.
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Is there any legal requirement to register with any authority in New Zealand?
No.
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What is the average cost of living in New Zealand?
We suggest you follow this link for details
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What is the average wage or salary in New Zealand?
The average ordinary time weekly earnings are approximately $NZ650.00
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What video system does New Zealand use?
PAL not NTSC or Secam
Some VCR's are available to handle both systems.
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How do I open a bank account in New Zealand?
Anyone can open a bank account in New Zealand and transfer funds in and out of the country, unimpeded by Government authorities. You will need to provide your passport to open the account. Your Pacific & Global consultant can assist you in this regard.
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Can I transfer my pension?
Whether or not a person can transfer their pension to New Zealand, will depend on the country where the pension entitlement comes from. This facility is available from limited countries, and includes the United Kingdom and Australia.
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Can I bring my pets to New Zealand?
Cats and dogs can be brought, subject to quarantine requirements. These vary, depending on the country of origin. Other family pets will be covered under specific regulations, but migration requirements will be more stringent. Horses are covered separately. Your Pacific & Global consultant will advise you on any specific requirements.
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What electrical goods can I safely bring to New Zealand?
New Zealand uses 220/240v 50 cycles as the standard electrical power. Care should be taken that items being brought will comply with this standard. Our recommendation would be that you leave behind major whiteware items and other smaller household electrical items such as televisions, videos, stereos, kitchen appliances etc. These are easily obtainable and the cost of freight will reduce any savings made on reduced purchases.
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What can I bring with me when I migrate?
When you come to New Zealand, you are entitled to bring your personal effects, household goods, vehicles and boats. Personal effects and household goods may be brought, tax and duty free into the country, up to 4 years from the date of your residence approval. Vehicles must be right-hand drive, and have been owned and used for at least 12 months prior to shipment by the importer. So left-hand drive vehicles can only be imported with the proper approval. Your Pacific & Global consultant can give you specific advice in this area.
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Do I need to be interviewed by the NZIS?
In general, unless there are difficulties with the case, applicants are unlikely to be required to attend an interview with an immigration officer. In some marriage and family reunion cases, an interface may be required, at the discretion of the immigration officer.
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Who can sponsor me into New Zealand?
Under the Skilled Migrant category, a close family member (sibling, or parent or in-law) who has been a Reisdent in New Zealand for at least 3 years, can sponsor a person, and thereby give them 10 points towards their points total.
Under Family Policy the same close family members may sponsor people, and also have to meet the three year residence requirement. There are restrictions on who can be sponsored, and under what conditions. Your Pacific & Global consultant will advise you whether you would meet the conditions.
A sponsor can only sponsor 1 person/family every 5 years.
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What is the difference between a visa and a permit
A visa is issued outside New Zealand, and gives the holder a right to enter New Zealand and be issued with a permit to stay. A permit is only issued to people in New Zealand, and allows them to stay and within the terms of that permit. For example, someone entering New Zealand with a valid Visitor's Visa will usually be issued with a 3 month Visitor's Permit at the Airport of arrival. A person entering New Zealand with a valid Residence Visa will be issued with a Residence Permit, allowing them to remain indefinitely.
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Will an existing medical condition affect my Application for Residence?
You will be required to undertake a medical examination, and any medical conditions will be referred to the NZIS Medical Referee. You should disclose all medical issues to your consultant, who will advise you as to their potential impact. If you have an ongoing medical/psychlogical condition that is assessed as requiring ongoing medical treatment at the expense of the New Zealand government you will be refused Residence.
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