Introduction
Family
Economic immigrants
Introduction:
The information on this
website is updated periodically, but for full details
and the latest updates, check the immigration site
of the New Zealand Government.
The annual number
of immigrants in New Zealand is 45,000 to 50,000.
In the year 2008-2009,
46,097 immigrants were approved (zie link).
Breakdown
in immigrant categories:
- ±60% economic immigrants ("business")
- ±30% family class immigrants
- ±10% refugees & humanitarian class
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1.
Family class immigrants (link):
- spouse or a partner who is in a "de facto relationship" with a New Zealand citizen
or resident that has lasted for at least 2 years
- dependent
children of a New Zealand citizen or resident
- parents of a New Zealand citizen or resident
- brother, sister, or adult child of a New Zealand citizen or resident
Under
the family quota sytem, applicants who are not
eligible under any other category may take part in a lottery if
they are sponsored by a relative who is a New Zealand citizen or
resident.
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2.
Economic immigrants ("business class"):
There
are five categories of economic immigrants.
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(a)
skilled workers (link)
For the "skilled
workers" category, the applicant must:
- be no older than 55 years of age
- be in good health
- be of good character
- meet a minimum standard of English language skills.
Applications are assessed
on the basis of a points system. The applicant
under the "skilled workers" category must score at
least 100 points from the selection
criteria below. The exact number of points required
depends on the pass-mark
for the week in which the application is lodged. To see how many
points he/she will score, the applicant can complete the
online self-assessment test.
| SKILLED WORKERS
POINTS SYSTEM |
| 1.
skilled employment
(max. 60 points) |
60
points if the applicant has already been in skilled employment
in New Zealand for at least 12 months.
50 points if the
applicant has been in skilled employment in New Zealand
for less than 12 months. |
2.
work experience
(max. 30 points) |
10 years or
more: 30 points
8 years: 25 points
6 years: 20 points
4 years:15 points
2 years: 10 points |
| 3.
qualifications
(max. 55 points) |
55 points if
the applicant has a recognized higher degree (Master's or
Doctorate)
50 points: the applicant has a recognized
"basic" qualification, diploma or degree. |
|
4.
family
(max. 10 points) |
10 points: close family in New Zealand |
5.
age
(max. 30 points) |
20-29 = 30 points
30-39 = 25 points
40-44 = 20 points
45-49 = 10 points
50-55 = 5 points |
Bonus
points are scored regarding
skills for which there is an extra demand in New Zealand.
| BONUS POINTS FOR
SKILLED WORKERS |
| 1.
skilled employment (max. 10 points) |
10
points: for employment in skilled jobs of which there is a
shortage, or if the applicant is employed
outside Auckland, or if the applicant's spouse
or partner is employed or has an offer of
employment in New Zealand
5 points: for employment
in skilled jobs in which there is an expected future growth |
| 2.
work experience in New Zealand
(max. 15points) |
15 points:
6 years or more
10 points: 4 years
5 points:
2 years |
| 3.
experience in areas of future growth
(max. 10 points) |
10 points 6 years
or more:
5 points: 2 to 5
years
Refer to the Long
Term Skill Shortage List (link) |
| 4.
experience in absolute shortage areas
(max. 15 points) |
15 points: 6 years
or more
10 points: 2 to
5 years
refer to the Immediate
Skill Shortage List (link) |
| 5. qualifications (max.
10 points) |
10 points: for
a recognized New Zealand
qualification (and at least 2 years of study in New Zealand),
for qualifications held by the applicant's spouse or partner,
or for qualifications in an area of absolute skills shortage
5 points: for a
qualification in an area of absolute skills shortage |
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(b)
investors (link)
The applicant must be
no older than 54 and invest at least NZD
2 million for a period of five years. The applicant must have at least five years of relevant business experience; and must be of good health and character.
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(c)
entrepreneurs (link)
The applicant must have
established or have made an investment of at least 25%
in a business that is benefiting New Zealand, and the applicant
must have run it or have worked in it for at least 2 years (while a spouse, registered partner, or child must not have claimed social benefits during that period.) This two-year period may be bridged by first applying for a Long-Term Business Visa (refer to d).
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(d)
long-term business (link)
This is
not a residence category. Applicants
under this category wish to establish a business, but do not wish
to live in New Zealand. The applicant has to complete the form "Application
for Long Term Business Visa and Permit". This involves drawing
up a business plan that includes the following
information:
- documentary evidence that the applicant has enough money to
set up the proposed business and support himself/herself and any
family joining him/her
- realistic financial forecasts
- relevant business experience, including qualifications, existing
business shareholdings, etc.
- no business failure in the last 5 years
- no involvement in fraud or wrongdoing
- occupational registration in New Zealand if this is required
for the business concerned
- understanding of the New Zealand market
- the applicant's business needs to be of benefit to New Zealand
(e)
employee of a relocating business (link)
The applicant must be
a key employee of a business relocating to New Zealand, and the
applicant must not be eligible for residence under any other residence
policy. The applicant will be invited to apply for a temporary work visa or permit. After having worked for the relocated business for 2 years, permanent residence may be granted, subject to conditions.
All
economic immigrants have to meet requirements concerning
finance, health, conduct and language proficiency:
- the financial
requirement (enough money for the maintenance of
the applicant and his dependants during the first 24 months in
New Zealand).
- A settlement information fee has
to be paid, as well as a migrant
levy for employment-based migrants.
- a medical examination
has to be carried out based on a "Medical and X-Ray Certificate
Form"
- a certificate of good conduct
of less than 6 months old from the country of
the applicant's citizenship and any country the applicant has
been in for at least 12 months in the 5 years preceding the application.
- an English language requirement is met if the
applicant has an English-speaking background or can show other
evidence of his proficiency and/or obtains a certificate under
the International English Language Testing System (=IELTS).
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