| Accredited Employer
An accredited employer is a New Zealand employer who has had an application for accreditation to employ persons under New Zealand Work Policy approved by the New Zealand Immigration Service NZIS. Adult child
“Adult child” means a child who is 17 years or older, unless they are dependent. Area of absolute skills shortage
These areas are occupations in which New Zealand has a significant shortage of skilled workers. These are listed on the Long Term Skills Shortage List (LTSSL, please see below). You can qualify for points (Points System, please see below) if you can prove that your current employment or offer of employment meets the specifications of the LTSSL and that you are suitably qualified or experienced for the occupation. Business Plan
The application forms for business visas include a section in which you must outline your business plan under a number of key headings. Your plan must be supported by appropriate documentation. Business Experience
Business experience means a minimum of 5 years of either:
- Owning a lawful business enterprise; or
- Management of a lawful business enterprise Centre of Gravity
A family’s centre of gravity is in New Zealand if:
The principal applicant has no dependent children, and you have an equal or greater number of children living in New Zealand lawfully and on a permanent basis than you do in any other country including your home country. Or, you have dependent children and you have an equal or greater number of children living in New Zealand lawfully and on a permanent basis than you do in any other country including your home country. The number of dependent children must be equal to or fewer than the number of adult children in New Zealand. Character
The NZIS considers a person of good character to be one who does not pose a potential security risk and is unlikely to have served time in prison, been deported from any country or involved in any criminal or dangerous activities. Custody of Dependent Children
If you have custody of a child who is under 16 years of age and you are separated or divorced from the other parent, you need to provide evidence in the New Zealand visa application that you have the legal right to remove that child from their home country. De Facto
A person who is living in a genuine and stable relationship with their partner, which has existed for at least 12 months. Dependent Children
You can include your children and your partner's children in your application if they are single and aged 16 or younger or are single, aged 17-24 years and have no children of their own. They must be either totally or substantially reliant on you or your partner for financial support, whether or not they are living with you or your partner. English Language
Applicants under the skilled migrant category, including those aged 16 or over who are accompanying you to New Zealand will need to meet English language requirements. Applicants will need to provide evidence that they have an English speaking background or have completed the IELTS English Language test (IELTS, see below). Expression of Interest
The initial application stage for the New Zealand skilled migrant visa involves applicants completing an expression of interest (EOI). An EOI does not constitute a formal application, it merely allows an applicant to show their intention to apply and gain verification from the New Zealand Immigration Services that they qualify. Genuine and Stable
A relationship is classed as being genuine and stable when it is obvious that the relationship has been entered into with the intention of being maintained on a long term and exclusive basis and is likely to endure. Health
You, your partner and any dependent children under 17 years of age must complete a health declaration in the Expression of Interest stage to ensure you meet all standard of health requirements Identified Future Growth Area
Industries in identified future growth areas offer New Zealand considerable opportunity to increase its prosperity. Currently three broad areas are recognised: biotechnology, information communications technology, and creative industries. IELTS
The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is an internationally recognised English language assessment. A recent test from the IELTS can be used as proof that you meet English requirements. An overall band test score of 6.5 is sufficient for visa applications to New Zealand. Invitation to Apply
Once the New Zealand Immigration Service has verified that an applicant meets the points threshold and has relevant qualifications and experience through their EOI they are “invited to apply”. An applicant will have 4 months from the date they are invited to apply to lodge a formal application for a visa to New Zealand. Lawful Business Enterprise
A lawful business enterprise is an organisation that:
- Operates in a commercial environment with the goal of returning profit, and;
- Is not set up primarily for passive or speculative purposes Long Term Skills Shortage List (LTSSL)
The long term skills shortage list is a list of occupations (professional and trade) in New Zealand which are recognised as having a sustained and ongoing shortage of skilled workers in all regions of New Zealand. The list is updated continually. For more detail please send us an online enquiry. Management Experience
Management experience means experience in the planning, organisation and control of the activities of a business. New Zealand Resident
A New Zealand Resident is a person who:
- Holds a current New Zealand residence permit or current New Zealand returning resident’s visa; or
- Holds a valid Australian passport Non-Principal Applicant
Non-principal applicants are any other people who are included in the application, such as a partner and/or children. Owning a Business
Owning a business means owning at least 25% of the business. Partners (Heterosexual or Same Sex)
You must have been living together in a genuine and stable relationship for at least 12 months for your partnership to be recognised. Partnership Policy
Partnership refers to the following: - A de facto relationship (either same sex or opposite)
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A civil union (either same sex or opposite)
- A legal marriage Points System
An applicant qualifies for points for their EOI (See Expression of Interest) based on how well they score on assessment against selected factors. The points system is designed to identify those people with the most to offer New Zealand so that invitations to apply for residence can be extended to them. The greater the number of points a person scores, the greater the chance of gaining an invitation to apply for residence. Applicants need to score at least 100 points to have a chance of entering the EOI pool. Principal Applicant
The principal applicant is the person who will be primarily assessed against the policy criteria. Residence Permit
When you arrive in New Zealand with either a residence visa or a current returning resident's visa, you will be granted a residence permit. This allows you to remain in New Zealand indefinitely, but expires when you leave New Zealand. You will need a returning resident's visa to re-enter New Zealand. Returning Resident’s Visa
Once you have taken up residence in New Zealand, you need a current returning resident's visa to re-enter the country after any overseas travel. A current returning resident's visa entitles you to be granted a new residence permit on your return Residence Visa
A residence visa is issued outside New Zealand and allows you to enter New Zealand once. It is generally valid for 12 months from the date of issue and cannot be renewed or extended. This means that if you don't travel to New Zealand within this time, your residence visa will expire and you may need to apply for residence again Self-Employment
Self-employment is lawful active involvement in the management and operating of a business in New Zealand which the principle applicant has established or purchased, or in which the principal applicant has made a substantial investment. Spouse
A person who is legally married and in a genuine and stable marriage. Substantial Investment
Substantial investment is defined as the purchase of at least 25% of the shareholding of a business. Threshold
The minimum number of points an applicant can score to be eligible to make an application for a skilled migrant visa to New Zealand. Currently the pass mark is 100 points. Visa and Permit
A visa gives you permission to travel to New Zealand. It will list the conditions under which you're able to enter New Zealand and obtain a permit.
Once you arrive, for example at a New Zealand airport, an immigration officer will check your visa. If the officer is happy you meet all the conditions stated on the visa, they'll grant you a permit. It is the permit that gives you permission to be in New Zealand and states the date your permit will expire and any other conditions that apply. A single-entry visa allows you entry for the one journey only. Your permit expires when you leave New Zealand. However, if you hold a multiple-entry permit and you have not been here for the full length of the time your permit allows, you'll be able to re-enter New Zealand on your return and remain here for the balance of your permit. |