Immigration Advisers - AU & NZ

On 7 April 2024, Immigration New Zealand announced:

"The previously announced roles will not be added to the Green List:

Paving Plant Operator
Metal Fabricator
Pressure Welder
Welder
Fitter (General)
Fitter and Turner
Fitter-Welder
Metal Machinist (First Class)
Panel Be**er
Vehicle Painter
Road Roller Operator".

If you require the immigration assistance, please send your request to:

[email protected]

Thanks

On 7 April 2024, Immigration New Zealand announced:

"Work to Residence changes for bus and truck drivers

Bus and truck drivers who apply for an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) on or after 7 April 2024 and those who start work as a bus or truck driver on an open work visa on or after 7 April 2024 will not be eligible to apply for a Transport Work to Residence visa.

Those who already hold an AEWV, those who have applied for an AEWV (and are later approved) and those on open work visas who have already started work, will still be eligible for a Transport Work to Residence visa."

If you require immigration assistance, please send your request to:

[email protected]

Thanks

On 7 April 2024, Immigration New Zealand announced changes to all new AEWV applications for occupations at ANZCO skill level 4 and 5 including:

"What is changing for new AEWV applications

There are now higher work experience and qualification requirements, a standard of English for people applying to work in roles assessed as ANZSCO skill level 4 and 5, and a shorter stay in New Zealand if you are working in specific roles.

New minimum skill requirement

If you are applying for an AEWV you will need to show evidence of your work experience or qualifications. This is in addition to the skills and qualifications that your employer has identified as necessary for the job and your employer will need to check you meet the skill requirements before they offer you the job.

Unless your role is on the Green List and meets the Green List role requirements, or is paid at least twice the median wage, you must now have:

at least 3 years’ relevant work experience, or

a relevant qualification at level 4 or above of the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF).

Evidence of your qualification must be accompanied by an International Qualification Assessment (IQA) if it is below Bachelor’s degree level.

To meet the work experience requirement, you must provide evidence proving you did the work — you cannot include documents that you wrote."

If you require immigration assistance, please send your request to:

[email protected]

Thanks

On 7 April 2024, Immigration New Zealand announced:

"Green List changes

On 8 April 2024, 6 roles will be added to the Green List, equating to 9 ANZSCO occupations:

Straight to Residence
Aviation Engineer (Avionics, Aeronautical, Aerospace Engineer)
Naval Architect (aka Marine Designer)
ICT Database and Systems Administrator
Mechanical Engineering Technician
Aircraft Maintenance Engineer
Work to Residence
Corrections Officer"

If you require immigration assistance, please send your request to:

[email protected]

Thanks

From 1 April 2024, the Recognised Seasonal Employers ('RSE') must increase the minimum wage for all of their employees from $24.97 per hour to $25.47 per hour. This was announced by Immigration New Zealand on 21 February 2024. You can read the entire news at:

RSE wage threshold to increase from 1 April 2024 The New Zealand minimum wage will increase on 1 April 2024. This means that the wage threshold for all Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) workers will also increase to align with the new minimum wage.

On 2 February 2024, Immigration New Zealand announced that 'Migrant exploitation ringleader pleads guilty in Bay of Plenty'. The arrested individual pleaded guilty on 7 charges of migrant exploitation and one attempt to prevent the course of justice. You can read the entire news at:

Migrant exploitation ringleader pleads guilty in Bay of Plenty On Tuesday, 30 January, Jafar Kurisi, the Bay of Plenty man arrested on seven charges of migrant exploitation and one attempt to pervert the course of justice, pleaded guilty to all charges.

Immigration New Zealand ('INZ') announced that 'the new median wage rate of $31.61 per hour will be adopted into parts [of] the immigration system on 28 February 2024'. It was announced on 22 February 2024 and included various exclusions.

If you have any concerns, please request a Consultation Meeting by contacting us on 09 948 0627 or via email to: [email protected].

You can read the entire announcement at:

Median wage changes and impacts

On 14 February 2024, Immigration New Zealand announced that "Immigration warn of 'TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE' JOB OFFERS". They warned the public of the rise of JOB scammers. You can read the entire announcement at:

Immigration warns of 'too good to be true' job offers Immigration New Zealand (INZ) is urging migrant workers in New Zealand to educate their family and friends overseas on how to spot potential immigration scams.

Immigration New Zealand ('INZ') announced on 9 February 2024, that 'Man sentenced for involvement in Brazilian migrant s*x scheme'. The INZ stated that the arrested individual pleaded guilty to charges of aiding and abetting international s*x workers from Brazil operating illegally in New Zealand. You can read the entire news at:

Migrant Exploitation Protection Work Visa (MEPV) Short-Term Support Package nearing its end The Government funded Migrant Exploitation Protection Visa Short-term Support Package providing temporary financial relief to exploited migrant workers is coming to the end of its approved term.

Immigration New Zealand announced on 1 February 2024 that 4 more councils obtained accreditation to increase the number of 'Committed Welcoming Communities' to 35 councils. You can see the full list of Welcoming Communities Members at:

Four more councils gain accreditation as Committed Welcoming Communities Immigration New Zealand (INZ) commends the Timaru District Council, Marlborough District Council, Kaipara District Council, Tasman District Council, and their communities for reaching the first major accreditation milestone of the Welcoming Communities programme.

2024 opening dates for capped Working Holiday Schemes confirmed on 25 January 2024. If you require any immigration assistance, feel free to email us at [email protected] or call us on +64 9 948 0627.
You can read the full announcement regarding the dates and allocated number of available visas for the selected nationalities here:

2024 opening dates for capped Working Holiday Schemes confirmed The 2024 reopening dates for capped Working Holiday Schemes (WHS) have now been confirmed.

On 29 January 2024, Immigration New Zealand announced that Permanent Resident Visa Applications can be submitted online through the RealMe Account.
If you require any immigration assistance, please send us an email to [email protected] or call us on 09 948 0627.
You can read the entire announcement here:

Permanent Resident Visa applications are now online

Immigration New Zealand announced on 18 January 2024 that there will be further considerations regarding considering excercising the unannounced out of hours residential visit. The full announcement is available at:

Operational changes as part of review into out of hours immigration compliance visits In May 2023 the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) commissioned Mike Heron KC to undertake an independent review into out of hours residential compliance visits by Immigration Officers.

قابل توجه ایرانیان عزیز،
اگر تمایل به انجام مشاوره در مورد حقوق و مسائل مهاجرتی استرالیا و یا نیوزلند دارید، آقای ادیب زاده با تجربه بلند مدت در خدمت ایرانیان عزیز برای ارائه مشاوره به زبان شیرین فارسی می‌باشد.

Effective from 29 October 2023, Immigration New Zealand (INZ) stated in Amendment Circular No. 2023-30 that all Emoloyers who are applying for ACCREDITATION or their Job Check Application being assessed on or after the effective date will be restricted from the Use of Trial Provisions as defined in section 67A(2) of the Employment Relations Act 2009 in the Employment Agreement regarding the applicants for the Accredited Employer Work Visa. If you have any questions or concerns, please request a Consultation Meeting. Thanks

The Immigration New Zealand (INZ) stated in Amendment Circular No. 2023-31 on 25 September 2023 that the number of the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) work cap under clause WH1.1.15 was increased to 19,500 for the 2023/2024 season and each year's quota is valid until 30 June. If you have any questions or concerns, please request a Consultation Meeting. Thanks

On 21 September 2023, the Immigration New Zealand (INZ) asserted in Amendment Circular No. 2023-28 that additional Occupations were added to Tier 2 of the Green List regarding to Work to Residence Visa. Additionally, INZ provided further clarification in relation to English Language Requiremens under clauses SR2.10 and SR5.15. If you have any questions or concerns, please request a Consultation Meeting. Thanks

Effective from 29 September 2023, Immigration New Zealand (INZ) added the list of Qualifications that will be exempted from NZQA Assessment from selected Educational Providers from Hong Kong, Ireland, Malaysia, Philippines, South Africa, United Kingdom and the United States. If you have any questions or concerns, please request a Consultation Meeting. Thanks

The Immigration New Zealand (INZ) stated on 1 September 2023 in Amendment Circular No. 2023-26 that a Note was added to clause E7.15.1 of the Operational Manual to clarify the definition of an AGENT regarding the issuance of the Potentially Prejudicial Information (PPI). If you have any questions or concerns, please request a Consultation Meeting. Thanks

On 1 September 2023, the Immigration New Zealand (INZ) stated in Amendment Circular No. 2023-26 that in relation to satisfying the CHARACTER REQUIREMENTS for a Resident Visa Application, the case officer will consider False, Misleading and Withheld Information in Prior Applications, as well. Furthermore, the INZ specified four factors regarding to exercising Character Waiver Provisions by the case officer. If you are concerned about your Resident Visa Eligibility, please request a Consultation Meeting. Thanks

Effective from 11 August 2023, the Visitor Visa conditions will be applied to the Interim visas when:
1- An Employer Specific Work Visa holder submits a Partnership-Based Work Visa application,
2- A Partnership-Based Work Visa holder submits an Employer Specific Work Visa application, and
3- An Open Work Visa holder submits a Partnership-Based Work Visa application.

On 18 August 2023, Immigration New Zealand (INZ) added three further occupations to the Green List under the Work to Residence categories including:
1- Motor Mechanic,
2- Motorcycle Mechanic, and
3- Diesel Motor Mechanic.

Effective from 27 November 2023, the Immigration New Zealand (INZ) will implement the following amendments to the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) holders:
1- Implement a maximum continuous stay period for all AEWV holders,
2- Extend the maximum visa duration of an AEWV for people paid at or above the median wage from three to five years,
3- Extend the maximum visa duration for people employed as part of the Care Workforce sector agreement from two to three years,
4- Implement transitional provisions for people who hold, or held, an AEWV granted on or before 26 November 2023, and
5- Allow employers to re-use a Job Check number to offer continued employment to relevant AEWV holder.
You can read through the aforementioned Amendment Circular at:

www.immigration.govt.nz

Effective from 1 October 2023, Immigration New Zealand (INZ) requires all Recognised Seasonal Employers (RSE) to amend their Employment Agreement and include the pertinent term regarding Sick Leave Entitlements for RSE workers from the first day of employment. You can read the entire issued Amendment Circular at:

www.immigration.govt.nz

The Australian Homeaffairs Department recently announced that "​If your Partner visa application contains all the required information, we can process it faster". You can read the entire news here:
https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/news-media/archive/article?itemId=998

News The Department of Home Affairs acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, their cultures and to their elders past, present and emerging.....