Since the New Zealand borders reopened after two years on 1st August 2022, Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has been flooded with Visa applications. These applications are from partners and relatives looking to join their loved ones, students wanting to study on campus, skilled migrants wishing to work onshore, Working Holiday Visa holders and tourists wanting to holiday in scenic New Zealand. The New Zealand government is trying to remain attractive and competitive in the global market, where skilled workers and high-quality students have multiple choices. Only time will tell how successful they will be. All one can say at this stage is that they need to be fleet-footed, practical, and non-bureaucratic and connect with the stakeholders on multiple platforms to remain relevant in this changing world. The government is taking various steps to plug the skills gaps.
 
International students who used to be huge revenue generators and a temporary workforce for NZ can now apply for a visa to study on campus. However, of late, the student visa decisions have been erratic and inconsistent. The underlying factor is the country-specific indicators INZ visa officers seem to use to assess bona fides. In addition, due to the closure of certain offshore offices of INZ, student visa applications lodged offshore are being processed in New Zealand for the first time in the last decade on such a huge scale. The sector is abuzz with whispers that obsolete market intelligence, out-of-date country-specific risk indicators, and other archaic factors are fast eroding the image of INZ among international students and their agents. The general impression is that while New Zealand chose to be isolated, the world has galloped past. It is time to respect the changing world dynamics, understand international students' global mindset, and embrace the "New".
 
New Zealand offers internationally recognised qualifications and is one of the best study-abroad destinations in the world. Information about some of the popular courses like Master of IT Project Management, NZ Diploma in Construction & Quantity Surveying, Bachelor of Construction and Bachelor of Applied Management has been included in this newsletter.
 
INZ, as part of its rebalance strategy, has increased the fund's requirement for international students, in addition to changing post-study work visa rights. How it plays out in various student recruitment markets is yet to be seen.
 
In the Education updates section, I have included articles about the 2022-2030 international Education strategy and diversification of NZ education.
 
Meanwhile, partners and dependents of work visa holders can now look forward to applying for a partnership-based visa to join their loved ones in New Zealand. If you are interested in a partnership-based visa, please provide your information by clicking here, and we will help you out.
 
The Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) opened to applicants last month. NZ employers need to get a Job Check done to hire migrant workers. Advertising for job vacancies to hire the right people is also an essential aspect of this process. I have included interesting articles about how to advertise for a job successfully and how to do a successful Job Check in this newsletter.
 
In addition to the above, when hiring migrants on an AEWV, employers must be aware of exceptions to the median wage threshold as mentioned in our blog.
 
I often come across questions like: ‘’Do I need a Licensed Immigration Adviser (LIA) to apply for a New Zealand Visa?’’ Do read our informative article on ‘When do you need a Licensed Immigration Adviser’.
 
The Immigration News section includes intriguing articles about the Job Check delays, glitches, visa processing delays, and frustrations regarding the AEWV scheme.
 
Lastly, check out our client success stories to help motivate you to contact us for immigration-related advice and assistance. We always strive to give you the most updated news about New Zealand immigration & education.
 
I hope you enjoy reading this newsletter.
 
You can send us your queries at contact@nzimmigration.info or by filling out this form.
 
Senior Licensed Immigration Adviser

IMMIGRATION UPDATES
Changes to Working Holiday Scheme visas announced

The Government has announced changes to help increase access to working holiday makers already in New Zealand, and those looking to travel to New Zealand. The details of these changes can be found below.

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www.immigration.govt.nz
Details of Sector Agreements for Specific AEWV...

The Government has announced details of the sector agreements with aged care, seafood, meat processing, construction, and adventure tourism industries, which will come into effect from October 2022.

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nzimmigration.info
New Zealand's border reopens

The New Zealand border has now reopened, with student and visitor visa applications now open. The Maritime Border is also now open.

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www.immigration.govt.nz
IMMIGRATION NEW ZEALAND INSTRUCTIONS:

Amendment Circular No. 2022-42 This circular outlines changes to immigration instructions. A copy of the amended instructions is attached. All immigration officers dealing with immigration applications should read the amendments.

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www.immigration.govt.nz
LATEST BLOGS
Partner of a New Zealand Work Visa holder

If your partner/spouse has applied for or is already in New Zealand on a temporary type of work visa, a visa based on partnership will enable you to join your partner in New Zealand.

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nzimmigration.info
AEWV: Employers Road to Successful Advertising

To hire a migrant worker, a New Zealand employer must get an approved job check from Immigration New Zealand (INZ).

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nzimmigration.info
AEWV: Employers Road to Successful Job Check

All three stages of the new Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) policy are now active, with applications open for employer accreditation, and job checks.

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nzimmigration.info
AEWV: Roles Exempt from Median Wage Threshold

Migrants paid less than the median wage of $27.76 per hour are not eligible to apply for the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) unless exempt.

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nzimmigration.info
When do you need a Licensed Immigration Adviser (LIA)?

A Licensed Immigration Adviser (LIA) has specialised expertise in New Zealand immigration matters and is licensed to advise unless explicitly exempt under the Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007.

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nzimmigration.info
EDUCATION UPDATES
International Education Strategy 2022-2030 launched

Changes to the draft changes were made to the draft strategy following consultation with the sector.

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www.education.govt.nz
Diversification of International Education sees six...

More than $1.6 million from the Product Innovation Fund allocated to develop innovative international education products and services. Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ) has today announced the recipients of the International Education...

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www.enz.govt.nz
POPULAR COURSES
IMMIGRATION NEWS
Government steps up action to plug skills gaps

Additional workers able to enter country for sectors affected by international labour shortages Aged care, construction and infrastructure, meat processing, seafood, seasonal snow and adventure tourism sector agreements put in place

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www.beehive.govt.nz
Visa shambles: Delays to 'job checks'

Delays to Immigration New Zealand's processing of the new accredited employer work visas are adding another layer of stress to Whakatipu business owners.

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www.nzherald.co.nz
Immigration glitch delays resident visa applications

Emma Hatton covers politics for Newsroom based in Wellington. Immigration Thousands of resident visa applicants are in limbo as they wait for a 'bug' in Immigration NZ's processing system to be rectified...

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www.newsroom.co.nz
Only 1000 tourists, relatives secure visas after NZ...

Families desperate to see their relatives say the border reopening has not brought an end to their wait.

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www.rnz.co.nz
'Hasn't helped': Desperate restaurants frustrated by new ...

Marcin Kulak is reducing the operating hours at his restaurant Mekong Baby in Ponsonby because he says it is "impossible" to find staff.

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www.nzherald.co.nz
CLIENT SUCESS STORIES
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