Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
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?
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.
Settlement and Migrant Support: The Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB)
The Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) is a non-profit organisation which provides free settlement support and and information to migrants and New Zealand citizens.
31% of CAB volunteer staff are migrants and there are 30 branches across Auckland. CAB offers advice and support in the following popular areas of enquiry:
- Citizenship and Immigration (low level immigration-related enquiries)
- Income support (particularly in areas of accommodation, benefits, unemployment)
- Adult and community education (especially with English Language ability)
- Finding work
- Inland Revenue and taxes
- Communication (interpretations/translations)
- Legal Advice
- Rental housing
- Health services
In 2003, CAB established the ‘CAB Language Link’ – a national service geared towards the needs of migrants and refugees. This service is managed and provided by paid staff, who are migrants and former refugees themselves, and are knowledgeable of the English language. CAB Language Link provide interpreting support to migrants who have very limited English language ability. The service was adopted from a communication model that stresses the need for first-language communication to enable a successful and more accurate interpretation of information for non-English speakers.
For more information please visit the CAB website.
Or contact us today on (+649) 277 7848.
Expected Changes to Immigration Policy – Post Elections
We expect the current National Party led government to have a more supportive and pragmatic stance on immigration to New Zealand. Prime Minister John Key has repeatedly emphasised the importance of attracting skills and investment to New Zealand; and states that this is a critical aspect in National’s plan to strengthen and expand the economy and employment sector, ‘deepen innovation’, consolidate the country’s links with international markets, and increase growth and capital through the provision of highly skilled migrants. The current government recognises the benefits and necessity of developing and implementing immigration policies that attract the ‘right’ type of skills and essentially, the ‘right’ type of migrant.
Central to the government’s initiatives on immigration is striking a ‘balance’ between giving New Zealanders first priority for job opportunities, and ensuring that employers do not miss out on highly skilled, experienced and qualified overseas workers. Based on some of the policy changes the government has made so far, we believe National will continue to develop and refine New Zealand immigration policies by tightening up on the areas that have caused inconsistencies in the past (e.g. the student visa criteria, partnership recognition, and recognised qualifications framework) and further efforts to streamline the processing and decision-making time of applications lodged with Immigration New Zealand.
As evidenced by the recent election campaign, National has placed a strong emphasis on attracting business migrants and investment capital through the business migration scheme – and continued strengthening and development of this sector. National has also announced plans to recruit skilled migrants to expand and grow the economy; as well as identify and facilitate the labour force required for the Christchurch rebuild in areas where there are a shortage of New Zealanders. Overall, we expect the government to build on the changes they have made to immigration policy, and introduce new changes to ensure that immigration policies work for the benefit of New Zealand and New Zealanders.
Early Childhood and Primary School Teachers Removed from Long Term Skills Shortage List (LTSSL)
Immigration New Zealand has announced the removal of Early Childhood and Primary School Teachers from the Long Term Skills Shortage List (LTSSL) as of 5 December 2011.
NOTE: The LTSSL identifies occupations that have an absolute (sustained and ongoing) shortage of skilled workers both globally and throughout New Zealand. Migrants who gain employment in one of these occupations may be granted a work visa under the LTSSL Work to Residence or Essential Skills instructions. Migrants applying for residence under the Skilled Migrant Category may gain bonus points towards their application if they have an offer of employment, work experience or qualifications in an area of absolute skill shortage identified on the LTSSL (source: www.immigration.govt.nz)
This means that applicants in this profession will lose out on bonus points in Expression of Interest Applications (EOI). Please note that if you submitted your EOI prior to the change, you will not lose the bonus points you were awarded. This will also mean that applicants in this profession who have obtained a genuine offer of employment relevant to their experience and/or qualification, and who are applying for a Work Visa under the Essential Skills Category, will have their application subject to a labour market check to ensure that there are no available New Zealand candidates for the role.
For more information please contact us today on (+649) 277 7848 or email arno@sfimmigration.co.nz.
You may also visit our website www.silverfernimmigration.co.nz.
Introducing: Move2NZ
Move2NZ is a non-profit community website which aims to provide migrants in and outside New Zealand free information about living and working in New Zealand. The website contains chat rooms, hundreds of articles, expert commentary, discounts & news and over 37,000 members from 189 countries including an amazing network of friends right around New Zealand.
If you are looking for more information about New Zealand and/or visa requirements Move2NZ is a great place to start.
2011 Highlights
1. In October of this year, we moved into new commercial premises with our close affiliates Automotive Employment Ltd, New Zealand’s most successful and established automotive recruitment agency. Our new office is now located in Unit H2, Level 1, Botany Junction, 277 Te Irirangi Drive, Flatbush, Auckland 2016. Just behind Celsius Bar and Restaurant, and above Hollywood Bakery and Cafe. We are now conveniently located near major motorways, Immigration New Zealand, and the Airport!
Left to Right: Arno and Erica from Silver Fern Immigration Services, and Russell, Daryl, Kim, Vanessa, and Jenny from Automotive Employment Ltd
2. Over the last twelve months we have strengthened our affiliation with Automotive Employment Ltd, and are now officially their preferred immigration advisers (hooray!).
3. The Rugby World Cup 2011 was of course, the biggest highlight of the year. The event did a whole lot of good for New Zealand’s image as a clean, green, hospitable, and desirable destination for both tourists and migrants. Over 100,000 visitors from all over the world came in droves to witness the massive event which ended with The All Blacks winning the cup by a hare’s breath against France!
2011 has turned out be a year of good changes and developments for our company. We have met many interesting clients from all corners of the world, and look forward to helping more in the coming year!
Frequently Asked Question: I am a New Zealand Work Visa holder. I have obtained employment but I’m not happy in my job. I would like to resign and find new employment. What should I do?
Firstly, before you resign from your current position assess your situation:
Why are you unhappy in your job?
Are you being treated poorly or unfairly by your employer or other staff members? If this is the case then we suggest addressing the issue with your employer and/or relevant parties. If you have reason to believe that speaking to them will worsen your situation, then contact the New Zealand Department of Labour http://www.dol.govt.nz/er/index.asp. Many work visa holders do not realise that they are protected by law from unfair treatment and/or harassment in the work place; and many do not choose to report their case. If the behaviour continues, then it may be time to search for a new employer.
Is your salary the issue? Do you want to seek a position which offers a higher salary? If you have worked for your employer for at least one year, can provide clear examples of the contribution, and hard work you have brought to the table, then we recommend speaking to your employer about a possible salary increase. If a pay rise is not possible, and you believe that your skills, experience, and contributions are not being recognised then you may want to seek employment with more incentives.
The bottom line is, if you are unsatisfied with your current work position, we advise addressing the underlying issues before thinking about resigning from your position. If you feel that the issues cannot be resolved, do not resign immediately – as this will affect your work visa. Hang in there! Do not relinquish your current position if you do not have another job lined up.
For more information on your work visa please contact us today on (09) 277 7848 or visit our website http://www.silverfernimmigration.co.nz.
Frequently Asked Question: I’m on a New Zealand student visa and studying full-time. I recently found out that I am pregnant. What do I do? And how will my pregnancy affect my student visa and future visa applications?
If you have fallen pregnant while studying on a student visa in New Zealand it is important to bear in mind that you are not alone. There are many things in life that happen unexpectedly, and an individual’s circumstances can change at any moment. Do not be afraid to reach out for help from those whom you can trust, and to maintain a positive perspective on a seemingly negative situation.
If you have taken a home pregnancy test that has come out ‘positive’ for pregnancy, you will need to consult with a medical professional to ensure that the result is accurate. Alternatively, you can visit your nearest Family Planning Clinic – an organisation dedicated to providing reproductive and clinical sexual services and support http://www.familyplanning.org.nz/.
Recent changes to immigration policy are more sympathetic towards pregnant visa holders. Your pregnancy does not automatically prevent you from obtaining a new visa (however, it is important to bear in mind that it will make it more difficult to obtain one).
If the father of your unborn child is a New Zealand Citizen, then your child will be granted New Zealand citizenship upon birth. If there is dispute/conflict between you and the father of your child (I.e. refusal from the father to acknowledge his parent status) then a Paternity DNA Test may be required.
Please contact us today to arrange a free consultation – and accurate advice:
Telephone: (09) 277 7848
Or visit our website: http://www.silverfernimmigration.co.nz
