Immigration Perspectives & Success Stories

Before Buying a Plane Ticket to New Zealand…

Silver Fern Immigration Blog — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 01:43:16 +0000

An important fact that I have constantly emphasised throughout this blog is that immigrating to another country is a costly affair – on both a financial and emotional level. Hence, the reason why I have consistently urged readers of this blog and my clients to do their homework before they even consider purchasing a plane ticket to New Zealand.

There are a number of things you need to find out before you emigrate:

1. Your employment prospects, and whether or not your occupation and/or qualifications are recognised in New Zealand. You will also need to research your industry within a New Zealand context (i.e. average expected salary, growth etc..). Assess your existing skills, work experience, and qualifications – are they in demand? Can you compete in the New Zealand employment market? Do they increase your chances of securing a job offer? Are they on the long term/short term skills shortage list? Do you need to up-skill yourself? Do you need to gain more experience in your field before qualifying for a visa in New Zealand? These are the types of questions that you need to ask yourself before making the decision to come here. We met a number of hopeful migrants who had simply hopped onto a plane without doing their research beforehand, only to find themselves unable to find employment, and forced to return to their home country. Immigrating is a ‘fact-finding’ process which needs to be viewed from a ‘wider perspective’. In order to avoid disappointment, and financial loss we strongly suggest that you contact us today with any questions you may have regarding your employment skills, qualifications, and work experience.

2. Examine your current health state. Do you have any medical conditions that may affect your eligibility to apply for a New Zealand visa? One of the most common health problems that hinder migrants from obtaining a visa is obesity/unhealthy weight range, health damages caused by smoking and/or excessive (alcohol) drinking. You need to address any health problems/concerns you may have – and take the necessary actions to fully recover from or manage/control your health condition(s). For instance, if you are severely overweight, and are suffering from the negative health consequences of being overweight, then you will need to seriously rethink and change your lifestyle. New Zealand Immigration policies place a lot of emphasis on ensuring that migrants do not become a burden (or potential burden) on the health system; and over the last three years the health criteria has become more stringent.

3. If you have any past or current/pending criminal convictions or charges it is important to assess how your situation will impact on your eligibility. Please note that the term ‘criminal convictions’ and ‘criminal charges’ are rather vague and general terms that can encompass anything from a traffic fine to more serious actions such as burglary or murder. Honesty is always the best policy, and if you are aware of any criminal records under your name then it is important that you speak to us about it. If you are currently being investigated and/or are involved in a criminal investigation then stay where you are. You will not be eligible for a work visa and are legally bound to stay in your country (where you are being investigated by authorities). For more information please contact us today.

4. Do not listen too carefully to well-meaning family and friends who have been through the migration process. Bear in mind that there are a number of reasons why they may or may not have qualified for a New Zealand Visa; and a number of reasons why they were able to obtain employment so quickly. Their experiences will differ from your own! No two cases are ever the same and there are countless factors that will decide whether or not you meet visa criteria. For accurate and relevant information contact us today.

You can also visit our website www.silverfernimmigration.co.nz for more information about us and how we can help you!

Entrepreneur Residence Categories

Silver Fern Immigration Blog — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 01:06:24 +0000

Entrepreneur Category

Investment Capital: Unspecified. You will need to demonstrate that you have sufficient capital to start your business
Business Experience: You must have business experience relevant to your business proposal
English Language: IELTS 4
Maximum Age: None
Benefit to New Zealand: According to Business Plan
Time Required in New Zealand: Self-employed in New Zealand in the business for two years
Length of Time to Residence: Minimum of two years and maximum of three years after obtaining approval under Long Term Business Work Instructions
Health and Character: Applicants under both categories must meet and requirements

Entrepreneur Plus Category

Investment Capital: At least $NZ0.5m while holding initial nine-month long term business visa
Business Experience: You must have business experience relevant to your business proposal
English Language: IELTS 4
Maximum Age: None
Benefit to New Zealand: At least three new FTE (full-time equivalent) jobs created for New Zealanders. These must be new jobs in addition to positions already existing in the business.
Time Required in New Zealand: Self-employed in New Zealand in the business for two years working (Inclusive of time spent on LTBV)
Length of Time to Residence: Residence can be granted (with conditions) once requirements met and while holding a long term business visa
Health and Character: Applicants under both categories must meet and requirements

For both categories you will need to show that your business complies with New Zealand employment and immigration law. Some requirements are different (mainly for English language and benefit to New Zealand) if you:

have been on a long-term business permit approved (or approved in principle) before 20 November 2002, or
have renewed your long-term business permit that was originally approved (or approved in principle) before that date.

Article Source: www.immigration.govt.nz

Long Term Business Visa Category & Entrepreneur Category

Silver Fern Immigration Blog — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 00:53:18 +0000

Long Term Business Visa Category
A Long Term Business Visa may be the right option for you, if you have had at least two years experience in running your own business and are interested in becoming self-employed in New Zealand. The Long Term Business Visa will enable you to buy or establish a business in New Zealand. Applying under this category may enable you to apply for and obtain Permanent Residence in New Zealand under the Entrepreneur Category provided that you meet all of the requirements.

Entrepreneur Category
There are two pathways to residence that an entrepreneur can take:

Entrepreneur Category
Entrepreneur Plus Category

In order to qualify for the Entrepreneur Category, applicants must be able to demonstrate that they have been actively participating in their business and contributing to New Zealand for at least two years.

Under the Entrepreneur Plus Category, while there is no minimum requirement time during which an applicant has operated his/her business, applicants must:

hold a long-term business visa
have successfully established a business in New Zealand
have been ‘self-employed’ in that business
have invested at least NZ$0.5 million in the business, and
have created a minimum of three new full-time jobs for New Zealand citizens or residents.

The Entrepreneur Plus Category provides a fast-track to residence in New Zealand so long as an applicant meets all of the other requirements.

For both categories, applicants are required to provide valid documentation that their business has complied with business and immigration law; and might also be required to provide further documents/evidence specific to their industry.

For more information on Long Term Business Visas and the Entrepreneur Category please contact us today on (+649) 277 7848 or email arno@sfimmigration.co.nz .

Changes to Immigration Policy Affecting Students from April 2012

Silver Fern Immigration Blog — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 23:28:47 +0000

From 2nd April, 2012:
Study to Work changes
• The changes to the Study to Work instructions apply
to new students who commence studying a New
Zealand qualification on or after 2 April 2012. They do
not apply to students who already hold New Zealand
qualifications or students who are currently studying
towards New Zealand qualifications.
• To qualify for Study to Work visas, students will
need to have obtained a recognised New Zealand
qualification of at least two academic years’
(a minimum of four semesters and 16 months in total)
duration unless they have obtained:
› two SMC points-accruing (level four to six)
qualifications in succession of at least one
academic year’s (minimum of two semesters and
eight months study) duration each, provided the
second course is at a higher level – e.g. a one-year
level five qualification followed by a one-year level
six qualification, or › a postgraduate qualification of at least one
academic year’s duration, or
› a credit-transferred bachelors’ degree with at
least one year’s study in New Zealand, or
› any level seven qualification of at least one
academic year’s duration.

Other changes in April, 2012:
• Funds required by applicants for Graduate Job Search
Visas will rise from $2,100 to $4,200.
• Funds required by partners of student visa holders
who are applying for work visas will be $4,200.
• Funds required for student visa applicants will increase
from the current $10,000 per year to $15,000 per year
for courses 36 weeks or longer, or pro-rated at $1,250
per month for shorter courses (less prepaid living
expenses).
The immigration instructions underpinning the changes
that are being introduced on 25 July 2011 are currently
being finalised and will be published on the Immigration
New Zealand website at: www.immigration.govt.nz in
July 2011.

Article Source: www.immigration.govt.nz

Visa fees for Indian nationals

Silver Fern Immigration Blog — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 22:10:59 +0000

TTS is the specialist company contracted by Immigration New Zealand (INZ) as a collection agent for visa applications. From 16 January 2012, TTS will charge a fee for their services of 625 rupees (INR) per application submitted.

TTS currently provides INZ with Visa Application Centres (VACs) in New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Chandigarh, Ahmedabad and Cochin. The VACs manage administrative tasks related to INZ visa applications submitted both in person and by mail.

The VACs provide visa acceptance services only. They cannot provide immigration advice and have no influence on the outcome of an application for a New Zealand visa, which can only be decided by INZ. INZ will retain responsibility for accepting applications from all diplomatic and official delegations from India.

Some of the key services offered by TTS and covered by their visa acceptance fee include:

receiving and checking application forms and supporting documentation
data entry of all applications
banking of application fees
dedicated call centre support to handle telephone and email enquiries relating to the application process
provision of visa application forms and guides
delivery and collection to and from the INZ branch in a secure manner as per INZ’s requirements
the return of passports and documents to applicants.

VAC locations and opening hours

How are fees paid in India?

For more information on the process of submitting visa applications at the Visa Application Centres, please go to the Visa Application Centre website at:http://www.ttsnzisvisas.com

Article Source: www.immigration.govt.nz

Happy New Year!

Silver Fern Immigration Blog — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 21:59:29 +0000

We welcome 2012 with heightened spirits and a positive outlook in spite of the not-so-favourable weather! Looking ahead, we anticipate New Zealand will raise its profile as an ideal destination for migrants – especially during the current global socio-economic, and political climate. New Zealand has been regarded as a safe haven and one of the few developed countries in the world which offers consistent security and stability on a social, political, and economic level. Government reforms are set to refine immigration policies and eligibility criteria to attract the right type of skilled migrants. Judging by the changes to immigration policy in 2011, we expect further changes will be underlined by economic initiatives to advance New Zealand’s employment market and attract investors to the country.

If you and your family are planning on immigrating to New Zealand and would like more information on employment and your eligibility, or would like to find out more about what it is like to live here – contact us today on (+649) 277 848 or visit our website www.silverfernimmigration.co.nz.

Frequently Asked Question: What happens to my visa application during the Christmas/New Year closing period?

Silver Fern Immigration Blog — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 23:10:29 +0000

Immigration New Zealand branches throughout the country and overseas will be closed during the Christmas/New Year period – please visit www.immigration.govt.nz to find out the opening hours of each branch.

Normal processing continues in January 2012.

If your visa is expiring soon or has expired – contact us urgently on (09) 277 7848

Christmas/New Year Closing and Opening Dates

Silver Fern Immigration Blog — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 22:49:02 +0000

Christmas/New Year Closing and Opening Dates:
Friday 23rd December Open: 8.30am Closed: 12noon
Our office will re-open for business on Monday 9th January 2012

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Silver Fern Immigration Blog — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 22:13:53 +0000

Frequently Asked Question: My partner and I are in a genuine and stable relationship. However, we do not live together. How will this affect our application?

Silver Fern Immigration Blog — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 22:51:05 +0000

Firstly, it is important to assess the term ‘genuine and stable relationship’. Some factors which will have some bearing on whether or not your relationship will be considered within this category are:

1. The length of the relationship
2. Whether or not you have lived together in the partnership and/or the reasons why you are not living together
3. Extent of financial dependence or interdependence
4. Joint ownership, use and acquisition of property
5. The level of commitment of both you and your partner to a shared life
6. Any children you and your partner might have together
7. Performance of common household duties
8. Public reputation of your relationship (I.e. how familiar/knowledgeable are family, friends, and others of your relationship)

If you and your partner are in a genuine and stable relationship, but are not living together for whatever reason (E.g. religious/cultural customs, work arrangements etc..) you will need to provide solid evidence that your reasons are valid along with supporting evidence that your relationship is genuine and stable.

For more information please contact our office today on (+649) 277 7848 or email erica@sfimmigration.co.nz. Alternatively, you may visit our website www.silverfernimmigration.co.nz.