WORK VISAS TO NEW ZEALAND

RESIDENCE FROM WORK VISA TO NEW ZEALAND

The Residence from Work Visa policy allows applicants with highly desirable skills and talent to obtain permanent residency. There are three categories:

• Long Term Skill Shortage List;
• Talent (Accredited Employer); and
• Talent (Arts, Culture and Sport)

New Zealand is looking for a range of talented migrants to settle in New Zealand to fill skill shortages, and to help further the country's international standing in arts, cultural and sporting fields.

As such, the Work from Residence policy encourages individuals who have worked in New Zealand for 24 months on a Work to Residence permit to live in New Zealand permanently.

NEW ZEALAND RESIDENCE FROM WORK BASIC REQUIREMENTS

To obtain a Residence from Work Visa, applicants must have held a Work to Residence Permit for at least 24 months and fulfil the basic requirements set by Immigration New Zealand. These include meeting health and good character criteria. Additional requirements depend on the Residence from Work category as follows:

Long Term Skill Shortage List - applicants must be aged 55 years or under, have a full-time job offer with a base salary of at least NZD$45,000 for an occupation on the Long Term Skill Shortage List and meet the requirements set on that list;

Talent (Accredited Employer) - applicants must have employment with an accredited employer with a minimum base salary of NZD$55,000 (or NZ$45,000 if the Work to Residence application was made before 30 July 2007, or $50,000 for applications made from 31 July 2007 to 28 July 2008); and

Talent (Arts, Culture and Sports) applicants must show that they have been actively engaged in their field of arts, culture or sports over the 24 months, still be internationally known in a field of arts, culture or sport, be sponsored by a New Zealand organisation of national repute and show that they have not applied for any welfare benefits during their stay in New Zealand.

NEW ZEALAND RESIDENCE FROM WORK VISA ENTITLEMENTS

Approved Residence from Work applicants will be issued a permanent residence visa and/or permit, which gives the holder (and approved family members) the flexibility to settle and work anywhere in New Zealand indefinitely.

A returning resident's visa (RRV) will also be issued allowing the holder to travel in and out of New Zealand for up to two years as a New Zealand resident. After two years, applicants may be eligible for an Indefinite RRV subject to meeting the relevant minimum residency requirements.

Permanent residents are entitled to the same rights and benefits as New Zealand citizens, including free access to public schools, subsidised tertiary education and other support, such as student loans, and subsidised public health services. Permanent residents may also apply for citizenship after satisfying the relevant residency requirements.

Another important benefit of permanent residence is the ability to sponsor close family members to New Zealand in the future.

Email to a friend