Holiday Hours: Our offices close from 5.30pm, Wednesday, 18 December and reopen 8.30am on Monday, 6 January 2025. If you need urgent assistance during the holidays call 0800 800 612 to talk to a Licensed Immigration Adviser. Wishing you and your family safe and happy holidays!
Changes to Skilled residency visa queue
Immigration NZ just announced this week changes to the ranking for processing residence applications from skilled workers.
Immigration NZ just announced this week changes to the ranking for processing residence applications from skilled workers.
Priority will now only be given to people applying if they:
- Are paid $51 per hour (30 hours or more each week) OR $106,080 per annum (for a 40 hour week); OR
- Require New Zealand occupational registration to work in their job (e.g. nurse, doctors, teachers).
Priority will no longer be given to people who have worked for an accredited employer for 2 years unless they meet one of the criteria above.
This means Immigration NZ will start processing older residence applications in the queue since December 2018.
Until the government decide the new residence approval numbers for 2020 and beyond the queue of skilled workers invited to apply for residence will just keep growing.
There are limited special circumstances where Immigration NZ might consider moving an application forward (does not include a visa about to expire or a long time in the residence queue). Take advice.
People need to be prepared to apply early for another work visa as the residence queue grows. We recommend applying no later than 3 months before the work visa expiry date.
News
Malcolm Pacific Immigration keeps ahead of immigration changes. Sign up below to our newsletter to keep up to date.
Immigration headlines for employers
The team at Malcolm Pacific Immigration keep across the constant changes in immigration rules and regulations. Here is the latest roundup of interest to businesses and HR teams.
Employer Accreditation – pain points
There is a level of frustration at the current processing delays across the three gateways of the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) scheme.
Immigration and employers have been busy
There is a level of frustration at the current processing delays across the three gateways of the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) scheme.
Get started with a free assessment today
We are New Zealand’s largest and most experienced team of licensed immigration advisers. Our experts take away the stress and worry of navigating the complicated world of immigration. All you need to do is get in touch. Our team is on standby, ready to help.
