New median wage used as threshold for Select visa categories

.The remuneration thresholds used by Immigration New Zealand are being revised Thresholds increase on 19 July 2021 The Essential Skills work visa and Skilled Migrant Category resident visa are the visa categories that are being impacted. These thresholds are based on the NZ median salary and wage, and are therefore updated every year. The new thresholds were set in 2020 but their implementation by INZ has been delayed to allow employers more flexibility to retain their key migrant staff. Thresholds …

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Highest number of New Zealand job opportunities on record

Seek New Zealand reveals that jobs on offer are at an all-time high. The recent survey shows the highest number of jobs ever advertised for the third consecutive month More on Seek Plenty of jobs, no candidates As the availability of suitable candidates fell over 10% month-on-month since the beginning of 2021, SEEK.co.nz has had its highest number of jobs ever advertised for the 3rd consecutive month. This means there has never been so many jobs on offer, compared to …

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Extension for Working Holiday visas and Supplementary Seasonal Employment visas

Update 11 June 2021 Are you currently in New Zealand on Working Holiday visa or a Seasonal Supplementary Employment (SSE) visa? You may qualify for an automated 6 months extension. This extension is automatic and there is no fee. More information (INZ website) Which visas are being automatically extended? Working Holiday visas Onshore Working Holiday visa holders whose visa expire between 21 June and 31 December 2021 will be extended for 6 months. Working Holiday visa holders may work in …

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Auckland best city in the world to live in, a recent study finds

Auckland has been named the most liveable city in the world in 2021 by The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU). As the global pandemic continues to affect the quality of life globally, New Zealand is thriving. More on CNBZ Over 1 year into the COVID-19 pandemic, its repercussions are still very much felt throughout the world. Yet, New Zealand’s response to the pandemic, by imposing severe restrictions on the country’s borders, has allowed life to go on as normal within the …

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Further easing of border restrictions

We have had some positive news from the New Zealand government in response to the need for certain sectors of the economy to source skilled and critical workers from overseas. News (NZ Herald) More information (Beehive) The creation of a “Trans-Tasman” bubble means a quarantine-free travel area between Australia and New Zealand. As an estimated 40% of isolation spaces were occupied by travellers from Australia, the bubble has freed up availability for other travellers to come to New Zealand. This …

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Update on Changes to Accreditation and Work visa categories

Immigration New Zealand hosted a webinar for the Immigration industry. This event provided valuable information on the upcoming accreditation and work visa changes. Let’s look at the implementation timelines and what this means for your existing staff Background: what is changing Since 2019, the Government has been working on a new temporary work visa called the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV). This also prompts a new employer-led system whereby all employers willing to support a migrant’s work visa accreditation will …

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Travel Restrictions from very high risk countries

From 28th April 2021, only New Zealand citizens and their immediate family member can  travel to New Zealand from Brazil, India, Pakistan and Papua New Guinea. More information (INZ website) These 4 countries have been designated as being ‘very high risk’ and arrival from these countries is being severely restricted as a result. If you are not a New Zealand citizen or immediate family travelling with them, you can enter New Zealand only if you have spent 14 days outside …

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Immigration New Zealand to refund Residence application fees over informal Prioritisation Criteria

INZ have decided to refund applicants with a Skilled Migrant or Residence from Work application in process should they no longer wish to obtain NZ residence. This resulted from an investigation into complaints that INZ were lacking in transparency over the implementation of prioritisation of certain applications over others. If you wish to withdraw your residence application you are now able to request a refund of the INZ application fee…   More information (INZ website) News article (NZ Herald) Who …

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Border Restrictions eased to allow hundreds of families to be reunited

Update 19 April 2021 From 30th April 2021, hundreds of families will be able to reunite as border exemptions are widened to include offshore family members.  This news will come as a relief for certain families who have been separated for over 1 year More information (INZ website) News article (NZ Herald) A welcome announcement Immigration Minister Kris Faafoi announced new border exemptions to allow hundreds of families to be reunited under new “Critical Purpose” criteria. Since New Zealand borders …

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Trans-Tasman Bubble starting 19th April 2021

As of 19 April 2021, New Zealanders can travel quarantine-free to Australia and vice versa. Both New Zealand and Australia have successfully contained covid-19 transmissions over the past 12 months and are now in a great position where we can open our borders to one another for quarantine-free travel. As of 19 April 2021, New Zealanders can travel quarantine-free to Australia and vice versa. This comes as welcome relief to many families and friends who have been separated; along with …

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New Zealand Shores