FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ’S):
STUDENT VISA WITH NEW ZEALAND IN SHUT DOWN MODE DUE TO COVID -19

As all of you are aware, due to the circumstances arising out of Covid-19, New Zealand is now in a state of National Emergency, and at Alert Level 4. The country has shut down, apart from essential services.
Given these unprecedented circumstances, we have been flooded with questions relating to various aspects of student visa. To assist you in gaining clarity, we have prepared a list of such FAQ’s:

Question 1. I was thinking about studying in New Zealand before the current situation unfolded. Can I carry on with my research as I still plan to study after a few months?
Answer- Yes, you can still carry on with your plans and use this time to do a thorough research. The admission team for most education providers is working remotely to process offers, and we are also here to answer your queries and address your concerns.
Question 2. I have applied for an Offer of Place to the education provider, and I am awaiting a response. Are the education providers still issuing offer letters?
Answer- Yes, the admission teams for most education providers are working remotely to process requests for offer letters; however, the intake may get delayed due to the current situation.
Question 3. When is the next available intake? Is there any intake before July 2020?
Answer- As of now, the next earliest available intake is expected to be in July 2020.
Question 4. I have my offer of place, but my student visa application has not been submitted yet. Can I apply for my student visa during the shutdown period?
Answer- Yes, currently the applications can be lodged online and are being accepted for processing by Immigration New Zealand (INZ).
Question 5. My Student Visa application is currently under process, and I did not receive my E-visa before the shutdown happened. Will my admission get automatically deferred to the next available intake?
Answer- No, the admission will not automatically be deferred. You would be required to submit the revised offer letter after your application is approved in principle by INZ. You are not required to take any action till then.
Question 6. My student visa application was approved in principle (AIP); however, I was unable to fulfil the AIP requirements before the shutdown happened. Will my AIP requirement date be extended automatically, or do I have to request for an extension?
Answer- The AIP requirement date would not be extended automatically, and you are required to upload a request for extension online. Considering the current situation, INZ is most likely to approve this request.
Question 7. My student visa application was approved in principle (AIP), should I complete the requirements such as transfer of fees, or should I wait for the shutdown period to get over?
Answer- You must try to complete the AIP requirements if you can or else request for an extension by providing reasons for the delay. The financial institutions are still operational, and you should be able to transfer your fees to the education provider.
Question 8. I have completed the AIP requirements, but my intake is now delayed, should I upload the revised offer, or will my education provider inform INZ directly.
Answer- The onus is on the applicant to inform INZ about the change in circumstances; hence, you would be required to send the revised offer letter to INZ to ensure the visa validity is in line with your course duration.
Question 9. I have got my E – Visa but I am unable to travel, how do I extend the first entry date?
Answer- As per the last communication received from INZ, an extension could be requested; however, we are still awaiting clarity and further information on the process to request such extensions. As soon as we receive further information on this we will share it with you.
Question 10. My first entry date on my E – Visa has expired, what should I do now?
Answer- As per the last communication received from INZ, an extension could be requested; however, we are still awaiting clarity and further information on the process to request such extensions. As soon as we receive further information on this we will share it with you.
Question 11. I have travelled to New Zealand, and am currently under self – quarantine, what should I do and who should I inform, and keep in touch with?
Answer- You must be in touch with your education provider, who would ensure your wellbeing is taken care of. The education providers in New Zealand are required to follow a code of practice for the pastoral care of international students.
Question 12. I am in New Zealand and am unable to get my bank account opened/get my Fund Transfer Scheme (FTS) account verified. I am, therefore unable to access my bank account. I am running short of money, what should I do?
Answer- You can contact your education provider for assistance.
Question 13. I am under self-quarantine, and I am unable to attend classes due to the poor or no internet connectivity, will it have an impact on my visa? Am I in breach of my visa conditions?
Answer- You should contact your education provider to discuss your situation. If the reason for non-attendance is beyond your control, this would not be considered as an intentional breach. The important thing is to make your education provider aware of your circumstances.
Question 14. My education provider has deferred my intake after arrival into New Zealand, what are my obligations, and what should I do now to ensure that I do not breach my visa conditions?
Answer- Please ensure you immediately inform INZ of the change in your circumstances. If you are unable to get through to INZ, you can also get in touch with your education provider to assist you.

We are aware that despite our efforts to cover all possible FAQ’s here, there may be more questions or elaborations which you may like to ask.

Please feel free to contact us on contact@nzimmigration.info or 09 3790219 and get your queries answered.

Question by Visa Officer

Why have you chosen your course, and how is it related to your qualification / work experience that you already have ?

Tip 1 – Why is the visa officer asking this question?

Before you proceed to answer this critical question, you will do well to appreciate that the visa officer is asking this question to understand how much planning went into, or how much thought and effort you have put into your course selection. Hence, make sure that your answer is structured to mitigate this concern of the visa officer.

Tip 2 – There is no right or wrong answer

Please note that there is no right or wrong answer to this question. You should use this opportunity to showcase your research about the selected course based on the skills you have learned and the knowledge you have gained while studying for your previous qualifications and gaining your work experience.

The most important thing is to remember that you will need to connect your previous qualifications/work experience to the course that you have chosen to study in New Zealand.

Tip 3 – Best way to prepare your answer

Write down the list of skills and experiences you gained through the process of getting your degree, and the internships that you have done. If you are struggling with that, think of all the assignments and project works you did in school—what skillsets did you acquire while working on those assignments and projects? How many of those skillsets relate to the course that you are going to do in New Zealand? Then, focus on those skills when answering this question in an interview.

Tip 4 – How to relate a seemingly non-related course

Even if your degree and work experience is not directly related to the job, you can probably find some connections between the two. Let us suppose you have an engineering degree, have worked as a management professional in a small to medium enterprise (SME). Still, you have selected a course in Supply Chain Management to study in New Zealand.

You might emphasize how, as a management professional with an engineering background while working in the SME, which dealt with supply chain management, made you realize the importance of studying this course.

Make a mention of how you realized that your existing skills are inadequate to effectively manage individual functions within this organization while integrating activities into key supply chain processes. Cover the aspect of how doing this course will give you the skillset to make the company that you will work for more efficient, competitive, and responsive to customer’s needs. Mention how important it is to take raw goods and turn them into products that reach customers. Explain how, via this course, you will learn to create a smooth supply chain and handle the entire distribution process, from the factory production line to the customer, based on the modules, subjects, and topics that you will study.

So, If your field of study does not necessarily relate to the course that you have selected, focus on how what you realized/learned prompted your course selection.

Gaining an education is invaluable, so if you answer carefully, you will be able to convince the visa officer that your selected course will help you fulfill the future career path that you are now choosing for yourself.

Tip 5 – do not be superficial in your answers.

If you have selected a course related to e.g., supply chain management, then research and find out what goes into meeting customer needs throughout production, distribution, and the delivery of products. Try an understand the design and operation of international supply chains, transportation, and logistics networks, get an idea of how partnerships are built, and between whom.

Become familiar with the computer simulation programs, which are used to coordinate the flow of materials along a supply chain, and forecast customer demand to ensure that products arrive in time.

Learn what type of career opportunities are available after doing this course, at what level, and which are the companies that offer them ( both in New Zealand and Globally).

Tip 6 – Be honest and sincere

While you should do your best to relate your field of study and work experience to the course that you have selected to study, it is also essential to be honest, as an interviewer can easily spot if you are insincere.

The visa officer will be curious to see how effectively you have planned for your future, so honestly research your options, and note the factors that influenced your decision. If you did advanced research and planning by going on various websites, and recorded salary and development opportunities, this will provide a solid foundation for your answer.

Here is your chance to highlight your strengths, and to demonstrate how your chosen field of study will prepare you for your future.

Tip 7 – Relate your course choice to post study opportunities available as publicised on government websites

In New Zealand the government of websites such as:

• www.immigration.govt.nz
• www.govt.nz
• www.studyinnewzealand.govt.nz

which cover the details of such opportunities, make sure that you have been on these websites and studies the information on relevant pages. You can also go on some of the popular job websites such as www.careers.govt.nz to research about the career prospects available in New Zealand after you complete your studies.

Conclusion

Focus on these seven tips, and you will easily be able to answer the – Why have you chosen your course, and how is it related to your previous qualification/work experience? Visa officer interview question.

If your field of study does not necessarily relate to the course that you have selected, focus on how what you learned can transfer or apply to the chosen path. An education is invaluable, so if you answer carefully, you will be able to convince the interviewer that your degree will help you fulfil the career path that you are now choosing for yourself.

Please do not forget to mail on contact@nzimmigration.info to get more such tips.

What is Essential Skills Demand List (ESID), and what it means to have your occupation on the Shortage Lists in New Zealand?

As per the Immigration New Zealand (INZ) website, New Zealand competes internationally for skilled workers. Workers with skills on the Essential Skills Demand List (ESID) usually find it easier to apply for temporary work and some resident visas.

Skill shortages happen when employers find it hard to get staff with the right skills for the job. Hence knowing which jobs are in skill shortage can help you choose the best job option or decide what subjects to study.

The ESID lists include the:

• Long Term Skill Shortage List (LTSSL), also referred to as Area of absolute skill shortage
• Regional Skill Shortage List (RSSL), which has replaced the Immediate Skill Shortage List (ISSL), and the
• Construction and Infrastructure Skill Shortage List (CISSL), which has replaced the Canterbury Skill Shortage List (CSSL).

If an occupation is on a skill shortage list, the options which are available for employers and prospective migrants include:

• Skilled Migrant Category – under which migrants can apply for residence in New Zealand. It is a points system based on factors such as age, work experience, your qualifications, and an offer of skilled employment. You must also be aged 55 or under, and meet English language, health, and character requirements. Migrants applying for residence under this Category may gain bonus points towards their application if they have an offer of employment or work experience in an area of absolute skill shortage identified on the LTSSL.
• Essential Skills Work Visa – this requires an employer to demonstrate that they have tried to recruit New Zealanders for the position and been unsuccessful. However, if an occupation is on a shortage list, the employer need not provide evidence of their attempts to recruit a New Zealand citizen or resident. This category of visa lets you come to New Zealand to work for up to five years. It can also lead to permanent residence in some circumstances. You can apply for it if you have been offered a job which you are qualified to do, and which you have experience in.
• Essential Skills – Approval in Principle – where a number of migrants are being sought. An AIP under the Essential Skills Work Visa category allows a New Zealand employer to recruit overseas workers to work in New Zealand temporarily. Upon securing AIP status, an employer will be able to assist an overseas migrant with obtaining an Essential Skills work visa that is compliant with the conditions for which the employer’s AIP is granted for. The main benefit of AIP is that employees of employers who have AIP status is assessed to have satisfied the labour market test.
• Talent (Accredited Employer) Work Visa – facilitating recruitment of skilled workers from overseas where the salary is at least NZ$55,000 per annum. This visa is for people who are looking for a pathway to live in New Zealand and who have a skill that’s needed by a New Zealand accredited employer. If an accredited employer offers you full-time work, you’ll be able to get a visa to work here. If you continue to work for that employer for two years, you’ll be able to apply to live in New Zealand permanently.
• Construction and Infrastructure Skill Shortage List (CISSL): Employers recruiting migrant workers to positions on the list will no longer need to show they have advertised the role locally in order for a work visa to be issued if the duties of the job substantially match the INZ description of the role, applicant has the qualifications and/or experience as stated on the list for that occupation, and job is located in the region specified on the list.

Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment (MBIE) reviews the ESID lists every six months to ensure they meet the changing needs of the labour market and to preserve employment opportunities for New Zealanders. It has been reviewed recently and the changes have already come into effect.

The latest outcomes of the LTSSL review are to:

• Add Aged Care Registered Nurse.
• Amend the listing ‘Construction Project Manager Roading and Infrastructure’ by extending the listing to include ‘Construction Project Manager’.
• Decline submissions to add Carpenter to the LTSSL, however, it remains on the CISSL.

The outcomes of the Immediate Skill Shortage List (now the RSSL) review is to:

• Add Early Childhood Teacher (all regions), Primary School Teacher (all regions) and Secondary School Teacher (all regions).
• Remove Construction Project Manager Roading and Infrastructure as this is now listed on the LTSSL.
• Decline submissions to add Café/Restaurant Manager, Fitter (General), Wood Machinist.
• Decline submissions to amend Quantity Surveyor.

The outcomes of the CISSL review are to:

• Add Building Associate.
• Amend Plumber (General) to extend the listing to all regions.
• Remove Stonemason for the Canterbury region – it will remain for Auckland and Northland.

We know that when it comes to hiring an employee, a genuine employer getssleepless nights due to the complications of the process involved.This sometimes discourages an employer to go through the process and hirea suitable candidate who could take the business to next level.Immigration Advisers New Zealand understands the process involved down tothe last detail Continue reading Employers Guide for Hiring Worker →

Importance of advertising as part of labour market check?

Most work visa applications in New Zealand are essential skills work visa applications.When assessing an application Immigration New Zealand (INZ) must be satisfied that there are no suitably qualified New Zealand citizens (or residence class visa holders) available to do the work through a Labour Market Check, of which advertising is an important criteria, if the job vacancy is not for ANZSCO Skill Level 4 or 5.

Hence, it is critically important for the employer to give evidence of his efforts by advertising to recruit any suitable New Zealanders for that job, and then explain why New Zealand applicants or residents were not suitable or readily trainable.

Labour Market Check – How to advertise & assess the candidates

How to advertise?

Advertising is the most effective way to show that genuine attempts have been made to recruit a New Zealander by any employer.There are some guidelines for advertising below:

• Type of advertisements – large websites like Seek, Trademe etc. are acceptable for all occupations, so they must be made use of.
• Duration of advertisement– for ANZSCO skill level 1 – 3 roles, an advertisement for at least 2 – 3 weeks must be run.
• Validity of advertisement– evidence of advertising can be used to support a work visa application, and is valid for up to three months from when the advertisement was first posted.Good news is that the same evidence can be used to support more than one visa application for the same position within that three month period.
• Content of advertisement– the advertisement must accurately describe the job and skills required for the role, and the advertisement must align with the job description.

How to assess the candidates?

All of the candidates who apply for the job must be considered, including any referred by Work and Income.It’s important to remember the that suitable candidates are those who have the skills and ability to take up the job and/or can be trained. So,if one of the New Zealand candidates is suitable, he or she should have been offered the job. If no New Zealanders are suitable, the job could then be offered to a non-New Zealand worker, however submission of the following supporting documentary evidence with the Essential Skills Work Visa application must always be considered:

• Copies of advertisements published in newspapers, magazines, employer’s website and recruitment sites
• Receipts for paid advertising
• Written confirmation from recruitment agencies (if used)
• The duration of advertising campaigns and when/where it ran along with dates and frequency
• Dossier of the applications received and the interviews conducted (i.e. How many New Zealanders and Non-New Zealanders applied?)
• Catalogue of full details of the outcome of recruitment efforts, which must include the number of applicants, shortlisting outcome, and details of why any New Zealand applicants were unsuitable, or unable to be trained (i.e. What required skills, qualifications or experience did they lack?), a link should me made to skills, qualifications, experience or attributes included in the job advertisement or description)
• Efforts that have been made to train New Zealanders to do the work, including details of the outcome, along with the details of any future plans for training and up skilling New Zealanders to do the work
• Any industry statistics on the numbers of vacancies in the market or any other industry based evidence

Role of Immigration Advisers

A common reason for Essential Skills Work Visa applications being declined is that the employer has failed to follow proper procedure while doing the Labour Market Check or has not specified the position correctly in the job advertisement.

Many employers are resistant to employing migrants because of this requirement, because it involves time and expense.

A License Immigration Adviser can help overcome this obstacle by helping the employer by drafting the advertisement and preparing the Immigration New Zealand form. The recruitment/advertising on employer’s behalf can also be handled by Immigration Adviser at appropriate places/mediums/platforms, and with the relevant agencies.

Caution

The Job advertisement and offer can not discourage New Zealand workers from applying.Immigration will not approve an Essential Skills Work Visa application application if the job advertisement discourages New Zealand citizens or residence class visa holders, from applying.

We are thrilled to announce that Vandana Rai, Director of Immigration Advisers New Zealand has been selected as one of the finalist in the Immigration Adviser/Lawyer of the Year and Hall of Fame category of awards of NZAMI that are announce once in two years.The significance of the awards that she has been nominated for is as under:

• Immigration Adviser/Lawyer of the Year Category – This award recognises outstanding professional individuals who are a Licensed Immigration Adviser or Immigration Lawyer who enhance the migration profession, and have contributed to the industry by their notable work in assisting migrants during the last 3 years.
• Hall of Fame Category – This is a rare acknowledgement of a worthy recipient within the Immigration industry.This award is presented to an individual who has provided continuing service and participation in a field which contributes to New Zealand immigration, made a significant and noteworthy contribution to New Zealand immigration which should be recognised by their peers and the wider community.

Vandana Rai has been part of 2016 Immigration Advisers Authority (IAA) referral group in addition to being one of the Directors on the Board of the New Zealand Association of Migration and Investment (NZAMI) for 2017. She is well known within the industry for her contribution to the well being and support of International students, by way of giving not only a range of immigration advisory services but also pastoral care support. In last 2 years Vandana Rai has lodged more than 1400 visas with an approval rate close to 93%.

She is highly educated, having done Masters in Human Development as well as Masters in Business Administration apart from a PG Diploma in Guidance and Counselling and Graduate Certificate in New Zealand Immigration Advice.

Vandana, in her role as a member of 2016 Referral Group of Immigration Advisers Authority (IAA) championed the cause of making offshore licensing mandatory. Vandana Rai, as a director of NZAMI has also made her contribution concerning the assessment of Partnership-Based Visa applications in the Indian market. She has also done lot of spade work over the past 2 years on the partnership based applications who were character declined due to having received unlicensed Immigration Advice and has got character waiver approved for a number of clients, thereby assisting in their family reunification.

Vandana is humbled by this achievement and says that her strength lies in her team , which works unbelievably hard and is the main reason behind this success.

For the full list and more information about these awards, visit the NZAMI website.

As per Education New Zealand ( link provided below) Providers, agents and international students need to be aware that all banks in New Zealand are now required to collect additional information from international students before they can open an account in New Zealand.

As a result of the Global Tax Information Reporting and Anti Money Laundering campaign, all banks in New Zealand, as well as other financial institutions, are required by law to collect additional information from a foreign tax resident before they can open an account in New Zealand. As part of these changes, banks also require a certified copy of (or, in some cases, the original) the student’s passport (bio-page) and proof of current residential address. Those who apply to open a bank account while outside New Zealand will be required to provide proof of their current overseas residential address, and to present themselves at the bank to activate the account when they arrive in New Zealand.

The same changes are being implemented in other countries that are part of this global initiative.

These changes also apply to international students who intend to use INZ’s Funds Transfer Scheme (FTS) to transfer their funds to New Zealand. Note the FTS is only available to international students from certain countries.

FTS information

If applying for an account under the FTS in the near future, ANZ, the New Zealand bank that operates the FTS, may contact the student to complete additional forms to ensure they capture the additional information they require. These forms include questions around the student’s tax information, and the student themselves will need to complete and sign these forms (not their agent).

For FTS accounts only, acceptable proof of residential address includes:

• utility bill (e.g. landline telephone and power only)
• rates bill (e.g. property tax document)
• tax certificate
• insurance policy document

The document(s) listed above must be less than three months old and must state the student’s name and their residential address. Where the student is living with their parents and the document states their parents’ name(s), a parent whose name appears on the document must provide a letter stating that the student lives with them.

Note: there may be some delays visa application processing while Immigration New Zealand and ANZ work through these changes.

Link – https://enz.govt.nz/news-and-research/ed-news/international-students-affected-by-bank-changes/

Why are so many Post Study Work Visa (Employer Assisted) applications of International students being declined in Auckland, New Zealand?

Concerns Identified resulting into declined applications

As per the media reports there has been a sudden spike in the number of applications declined, which had been lodged under Post Study Employer Assisted Work Visa category. Going by the feed back and experience the major reason (s) for the declines have been as under:

• The applicant was unable to satisfy immigration officer that the offer of employment provided practical experience, which was relevant to the qualification.
• The applicant did not hold an offer of full-time employment relevant to that qualification.
• The major subject area and level of the applicant’s qualification was not directly applicable to the employment.
• The qualification was not a key factor in the employer’s decision to employ the applicant in that position.
• There was no clear link visible between the qualification studied by the applicant and the job description provided.

Way forward and precautions to be taken

The way forward and precautions required to be taken to minimise the risks of getting a negative outcome for such applications lodged could be as under:

• Ensure that the major subject area and level of qualification is directly applicable to the employment.
• Ensure that the qualification is a key factor in employer’s decision to employ the applicant in that position.
• Ensure that there is a clear link existing between the qualification and the job description.
• Ensure that the tasks being performed in the job are relevant to papers studied as part of the qualification.
• Ensure that the learning outcomes of the subjects studied are relevant to the day to day work being performed in the job.
• Job description should mention tasks that are directly applicable to the learning outcome of the qualification.

Should you still get a Potentially Prejudicial Information (PPI) from Immigration case officer, please be rest assured that Immigration is now posturing itself to decline your application, hence give it the attention it deserves and book an appointment by mailing at contact@nzimmigration.info

DO NOT TRY AND ANSWER THE PPI RESPONSE YOURSELF SEEK AN IMMIGRATION ADVISER ASAP