IMMIGRATION TO NEW ZEALAND

Frequently Asked Questions

Overview

This list contains "Frequently Asked Questions" and addresses issues related to New Zealand immigration policies and procedures of special interest to people who desire to emigrate/ immigrate to New Zealand. We advise you to consult with a lawyer/ consultant if migrating to New Zealand is important to your future. EasyMigrate Consultancy Services' professional team of experts can provide you with an optimum service.

 Table of Contents

1. What are the basic Immigrant Categories?
2. What does the General Skills category entail?
3. What does the Business Investor category entail?
4. Which family members can be included in the principal applicant's immigration application?
5. What income support do I need to have to successfully immigrate?
6. How much are the application fees?
7. Which documents must I include with my application?
8. Must I submit police clearances?
9. Must I undergo a medical examination?
10. Can I use my own doctor to do the medical examination?
11. Is there any benefit for having relatives in New Zealand?
12. When can I obtain New Zealand citizenship?
13. What must I do in order to bring my pet with me to New Zealand?
14. What is the job market like in New Zealand?
15. Do professionals and tradespeople need registration/ licensing to work in New Zealand?
16. How long does the immigrant application process take?
17. Why should I consider immigration to New Zealand? Is New Zealand right for me?

1. What are the basic Immigrant Categories?
There are four main categories for residence applications to New Zealand: General Skills, Business Investor, Family, and Humanitarian.

Back to Table of Contents

2. What does the General Skills category entail?
For detailed information, please refer to New Zealand General Skills Category section.

Back to Table of Contents

3. What does the Business Investor category entail?
For detailed information, please refer to New Zealand Business Immigration section.

Back to Table of Contents

4. Which family members can be included in the principal applicant's immigration application?
A spouse who is legally married to the principal applicant may be included in the application. A de facto partner may be included if the principal applicant and de facto partner have been living in a genuine and stable relationship for at least two years at the time of application. A de facto partner is a partner in a heterosexual or homosexual relationship.

A dependent child (whether natural or adopted) of the principal applicant or spouse/partner may be included in the application for permanent residence, if he/she :

1. (a) is single and aged 17 to 19 years: and

(b) has no children of their own; and

c) is totally or substantially reliant on the principal applicant or spouse/partner for financial support, whether living with them or not.

Or

2. (a) is aged 16 or younger; and

(b) is single; and

c) is totally or substantially reliant on the principal applicant or spouse/partner for financial support, whether living with them or not.

If the parents of a dependent child included in NZ residence( immigration) application are separated or divorced, the applicant parent must have the right to remove the dependent child from the country in which rights of custody or visitation have been granted.

Back to Table of Contents

5. What income support do I need to have to successfully immigrate?
Sufficient personal resources to support yourself and your dependants for the first 24 months in NZ are expected. New permanent residents are not eligible for benefit from NZ Income Support in these first 2 years, except in emergency cases.

Back to Table of Contents

6. How much are the application fees?
For detailed information about application fees, please visit our New Zealand Government Fees section of this Web site.

Back to Table of Contents

7. Which documents must I include with my application?
You must include the:

--Fully completed application form;

--Correct application processing fee

--Passports or travel documents for yourself and each family member included in the application;

--Two passport-size photographs of each person in the application;

--An original (or certified copy) of each person’s full Birth Certificate. Full birth certificates must include the names of both the child and its parents. Adoption papers for adopted dependent children;

--Original or certified copy of marriage certificate, if applicable;

--Police certificates for every person 17 years and older in the application. You must submit:

--A police certificate from your country of citizenship

--certificates from every country in which you have spent more than 12 months in the past 10 years;

--completed Medical and X-Ray certificates (these must be less than 3 months old);

--Proof of English language ability;

Evidence required for application in certain categories (see below)

--Documentation of the qualification for which you are claiming points;

--Proof of work experience: this can include letters of reference, pay slips, contracts, job specifications, job assessments, tax records;

--Letters/contracts offering employment, if applicable;

--Proof of settlement funds, if you intend to claim points in this category;

--Proof of relationship to you relatives in New Zealand, if claiming family sponsorship;

--Assessment of spouse’s qualifications, if applicable.

Back to Table of Contents

8. Must I submit police clearances?
Yes, in order to ascertain the fulfillment of the "good character" requirement, police clearances are necessary. They are required for all those included in the application who are 17 years and older. They must be obtained from every country in which you have spent 12 months or more within the past 10 years. Please note that police certificates and clearances must be less than six months old.

Back to Table of Contents

9. Must I undergo a medical examination?
Yes, every applicant must undergo Medical and X-Ray examinations in order to demonstrate "good health". Applicants in good health are considered those who:

--are not likely to be a danger to public health;

--are not likely to be a burden on the health services;

--are not unfit for the purpose of entry.

Back to Table of Contents

10. Can I use my own doctor to do the medical examination?
No. The examination must be done by an approved doctor on New Zealand’s list of approved medical panel, except in few countries such as the U.S. and Canada where almost any physician who is not your family doctor or related to you will be acceptable.

Back to Table of Contents

11. Is there any benefit for having relatives in New Zealand?
Yes, in the Business Investor and General Skills categories, points are awarded if you have an immediate family member who is a New Zealand citizen or resident and is willing to undertake sponsorship. The family sponsor is responsible for providing information and advice, and providing accommodation and support in the first 24 months of your residence in New Zealand.

Back to Table of Contents

12. When can I obtain NZ citizenship?
You can apply for New Zealand citizenship after 3 years of residency.

Back to Table of Contents

13. What must I do in order to bring my pet with me to New Zealand?
Current regulations require four months of quarantine in New Zealand.
The only registered quarantine facility (dogs and cats only) is Qualified Pet Services (150 Airfield Rd., Takanini, Auckland, Tel: 0-9-299 9539).

Back to Table of Contents

14. What is the job market like in New Zealand?
New Zealand is experiencing a shortage of skilled professionals in many occupations. Furthermore, it has unemployment rates as low as 6% in some cities. However, some occupations are more in demand than others. The best way to investigate the employment climate given your specific occupation is to consult the employment section in New Zealand newspapers.

Back to Table of Contents

15. Do professionals and tradespeople need registration/ licensing to work in New Zealand?
Yes, many trades and professions do require registration and licensing before one can work in New Zealand. These include: architects, chiropractors, clinical dental technicians, dental technicians, dentists, dieticians, electricians, electrical service technicians, lawyers, line mechanics, medical laboratory technologists, medical practitioners, medical radiation technologists, midwives, and nurses.

Back to Table of Contents

16. How long does the immigrant application process take?
The length of processing varies depending on where your application is submitted. CIRI and NZIRC have been successful in obtaining immigration visas within 2-5 months on average. However, some cases may take 6 months, whereas others are finalized in a matter of a few weeks only. The crucial requirement is that the application be fully and properly completed, with all necessary documentation attached.

Back to Table of Contents

17. Why should I consider immigration to New Zealand? Is New Zealand right for me?
We firmly believe that there are many advantages in considering immigration to New Zealand. We also realize that each individual has unique dreams, demands and expectations. To ascertain whether New Zealand should be your destination, browse this Web site and check out:

General information about the country Why New Zealand? What People Say   Back to Table of Contents

Auckland City & Harbour.