NZ IMMIGRATION SERVICES

New Zealand borders are fully open from 11:59 pm on 31 July 2022, and a simplified immigration setting has been introduced to address the immediate skill shortages in New Zealand and speed up the economic recovery from COVID-19.

To visit New Zealand, you must have enough money to live on while you are in New Zealand or have an acceptable sponsor. You must also agree to pay your own health care costs, and have a ticket to leave New Zealand or be sponsored for the cost of your onward travel.

You can contact immigration NZ from 08:00 to 22:00 Monday to Friday (NZT) excluding New Zealand public holidays. You will need either your INZ client, application, or passport number if enquiring about a visa application. When you call, sign up for voice identification (Voice ID) service using your INZ client number. The service saves time when you call again and protects your privacy.

The processing times vary depending on the case. Currently most of the offshore visa processing is suspended until 5 August 2022. The suspension can be lifted if the border restrictions change.

Some of the jobs which are currently in high demand are

• Nursing
• Teaching
• Business Analysis
• Construction
• Web Development
• Animation

The LTSSL identifies occupations where there is a sustained and on-going shortage of highly skilled workers throughout New Zealand.

You can check the status of an application and the processing time once you have lodged your visa application. For applications lodged online,  the application status can be viewed by simply logging into the online service. If you applied through an immigration adviser or a Visa Application Centre (VAC), the immigration adviser or VAC can update you on the progress of your application. The time it takes to process your application depends on the type of visa you apply for, your circumstances and the information you supply with your application. If your application is not complete, you may have to wait longer for a decision on your visa application.

Moving to New Zealand is easy, especially if you speak English. Getting a job offer is the easiest way to migrate to New Zealand. If you do not have a job offer, the easiest way to emigrate to New Zealand is via education. After your studies, you have a higher chance of securing a skilled job. If you have a skill that's needed, you can apply for residence.

A Resident Visa is required to live in New Zealand permanently. To acquire a Resident Visa, you first have to get a temporary visa which allows you to study, work or start your own business in New Zealand. The most popular pathway to a residence visa are Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa, Straight to Residence Visa, Work to Residence Pathway, Highly Paid Residence Pathway and Care Work Force Work to Residence Pathway.

Immigration New Zealand is looking to attract permanent migrants who have in-demand skills that can help New Zealand’s labour market and the capital to invest in the New Zealand economy, i.e., investors and entrepreneurs, or a family or relationship connection.

The Green List is a list of occupations that are in demand in New Zealand which qualify for quick residence pathways.