Ashraf & Co

Ramadan Kareem to our respected clients and their families ✨

🇳🇿 Employing migrants already in New Zealand 🇳🇿

Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme

Many RSE workers were unable to return home at the end of last season due to border restrictions.

Workers still in New Zealand who wish to move to an employer not covered by their RSE Limited Visa must apply for a new RSE limited visa.

All RSE workers must be paid at least $22.10 per hour and for a minimum of 30 hours per week.

RSE workers who apply for a further RSE Limited Visa in New Zealand, to stay beyond the normal maximum period and who intend to be in New Zealand for more than 24 months (including time already spent in New Zealand) do not need to provide police certificates with their application.

Until 31 August 2022, the requirement to provide a chest x-ray is waived for RSE workers in New Zealand who are applying for a RSE Limited Visa and are from Samoa, Tonga and Vanuatu.

Maximum stay limits

Maximum stay limits have been removed for all RSE workers. This means that RSE workers are able to apply for further RSE Limited Visas.

The repatriation of RSE workers remains a priority.

Stayed tuned for more information on employing migrants already in New Zealand!

🇳🇿 Bringing workers to New Zealand 🇳🇿

Border exceptions for 'other critical workers'

Employers and supporting agencies can request to bring workers into New Zealand if they are deemed ‘other critical workers’. Requests for approval of critical workers must be made by employers, not individual workers.

Requests are considered on a case-by-case basis by Immigration New Zealand officials.

There are 3 categories, each with their own criteria:

* worker needed for a short term role — less than 6 months in total
Requests for border exceptions in this category closed on 31 July 2022.
* worker needed for a long term role — more than 6 months
Requests for border exceptions in this category closed on 31 July 2022.
* worker for an approved class.
Requests for most border exceptions in this category are now closed. Some primary sector exceptions remain open until 1 September 2022. Requests are not yet closing for deepwater fishing crew or seafood processors.

Employers, supporting agencies or immigration professionals who want to request for a critical worker to travel to New Zealand can apply by completing the Employer request for critical worker exception form.

If you need help bringing workers to New Zealand, contact us today!

🇳🇿 You want to study in New Zealand! 🇳🇿

Apply for a student visa - If you are currently outside New Zealand, you can now apply for a new student visa.

If you have a current student visa- You can travel to New Zealand as an international student if you:

*still hold a valid student visa with a valid offer of place to study,
*have conditions on your visa allowing you to travel to New Zealand, and
*you continue to meet the conditions of your student visa.
*you no longer need a border exception to travel to New Zealand.

Stand tuned for more information on how to apply to study in New Zealand.

Refugee advisory panel members announced!

Swipe along to read more ➡️

New residence categories announced!

Details of three new residence categories to help employers hire and attract migrants for specified high skilled, hard-to-fill occupations.

Read more below!

https://www.immigration.govt.nz/about-us/media-centre/news-notifications/new-residence-categories-announced

Very pleased to announce our partnership with Tarish entertainment & Red chillies for the much awaited Atif Aslam tour

Studying abroad is a life-changing experience!

If you're thinking about spending your OE as a student, get in touch with us to see how we can help!

📞 09 298 7303
📍 89 Great South Road, Papatoetoe

Are you wanting to study abroad?

Contact us today to see how we can help make your OE experience as a student happen!

📞 09 298 7303
📍 89 Great South Road, Papatoetoe

United Kingdom and New Zealand agree to enhance their Youth Mobility Scheme and Working Holiday Scheme.

What is changing?

The United Kingdom and New Zealand have agreed to the following reciprocal improvements:

• Extending the eligible age range for the visa from 18 - 30, to 18 - 35 years.
• Extending the length of stay allowed to three years (it is currently two years for New Zealand YMS visa holders in the United Kingdom, and 23 months for UK WHS visa holders in New Zealand).
• An extension to the length of time visa holders can work to three years (i.e. visa holders can work for the full duration of the visa).
• New Zealand will introduce an annual cap of 15,000 places for UK nationals applying under the WHS (there is currently no cap for the UK WHS).

These changes will only apply to applications made after implementation.

Read more!

https://www.immigration.govt.nz/about-us/media-centre/news-notifications/the-united-kingdom-and-new-zealand-have-agreed-to-enhance-their-existing-youth-mobility-scheme-and-working-holiday-scheme

Satinder Singh Live In Concert!

This fabulous show is being produced by Pal Productions this Saturday at 7 pm at the Vodafone Event Centre.

Despite border closures, we worked closely alongside INZ to get Satinder and his team across to New Zealand to perform.

A show like this has not been done within the border closures so it is definitely something you don't want to miss!

With the borders opening soon we want to know where you plan on exploring first!

Let us know in the comments below.

A message from our immigration minister, Hon Michael Wood.

“New Zealand’s international border will reopen to all tourists and visa holders two months earlier than planned on 31 July."- Jacinda Arden

With the borders opening it will welcome news for families, businesses, and our migrant communities. Who are you most excited to visit?

Nothing compares to being reunited with your loved ones after a long time!

Applications are now open for visitor visa holders from offshore, you can finally bring your parents home to visit you!

www.ashraflawyers.co.nz/

Applying for a job check!

Check out the link as this checklist is a great tool to use when applying for a job check for an accredited employer work visa (AEWV).

https://www.immigration.govt.nz/documents/employer-resources/applying-for-a-job-check-checklist-for-employers

Final provider of refugee settlement locations for quota refugees announced!

⬇️ Read more below ⬇️

https://www.immigration.govt.nz/about-us/media-centre/media-releases/final-provider-of-refugee-settlement-locations-for-quota-refugees-announced

Why is it important for a business to be accredited?

Accreditation lowers risk, reduces costs, and improves reputation. It also increases efficiency, productivity, sales, and profits.

Contact us to find out how we can help you!

https://ashraflawyers.co.nz/

“New Zealand is in demand and now fully open for business,” Jacinda Ardern said.

“New Zealand’s international border will reopen to all tourists and visa holders two months earlier than planned on 31 July."

https://ashraflawyers.co.nz/

Final provider of refugee settlement locations for quota refugees announced.

Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has today announced that the remaining eight refugee resettlement locations will continue to be provided by the New Zealand Red Cross (NZRC).

Click the link below to read more!

https://www.immigration.govt.nz/about-us/media-centre/media-releases/final-provider-of-refugee-settlement-locations-for-quota-refugees-announced

Winter is approaching and it's a great time to soak up New Zealand's winter gems!

Do you have any winter getaway plans?

Ramadan Kareem to everyone celebrating this beautiful month 🌙

📍 Ka Iwi Lakes

Located north of Dargaville, the Kai Iwi Lakes are basin-type dune lakes created during the Pleistocene Epoch, which began more than 1.8 million years ago. They were formed by the accumulation of rainwater in depressions of sand. Underlying ironstone prevents the water from leaking away. Each of the three lakes is fringed with pure white sand and there are shallow areas that are ideal for swimming; you can also fish for rainbow trout or paddle a kayak. Pine forest gives the air a delightful tang.

www.ashraflawyers.co.nz

The New Zealand Dairy industry, among many other industries are struggling with employee shortages. We would love to see more workers coming into New Zealand too! 🤍

www.ashraflawyers.co.nz

Happy International Women's Day 🌏

Here's to all women around the world, to those that came before us and to those who are paving the way for our future women 🤍

📍 Queenstown

Queenstown, New Zealand, sits on the shores of the South Island’s Lake Wakatipu, set against the dramatic Southern Alps. Renowned for adventure sports, it’s also a base for exploring the region’s vineyards and historic mining towns. There's bungee jumping off Kawarau Gorge Suspension Bridge and jet-boating on the Shotover and Dart rivers. In winter, there's skiing on the slopes of The Remarkables and Coronet Peak.

www.ashraflawyers.co.nz

Hello Autumn 🍂

www.ashraflawyers.co.nz

📍 Waitomo Caves

Under the green hills of Waitomo lies a labyrinth of caves, sinkholes and underground rivers. The area's name comes from the Maori words wai (water) and tomo (hole).

The easiest way to see the Waitomo Caves is with a walking or boat tour. If you’re into adventure, try the unique experience of Black Water Rafting - you'll crawl, swim and float through the caves on a rubber tube. Or you could abseil or zip-line through the darkness. However you choose to explore Waitomo Caves, you're bound to agree they're a wonder of nature.

www.ashraflawyers.co.nz