FAQ’s

Our immigration advisory service offers a comprehensive suite of services tailored to individuals looking to navigate the New Zealand visa application process smoothly. Our services include:

• Personalized Consultation: We offer one-on-one consultations to understand your unique situation, goals, and requirements, providing personalized advice and strategies for your visa application.
• Visa Application Assistance: From selecting the right visa type to preparing and submitting your application, we guide you through every step, ensuring your application is complete and meets all requirements.
• Documentation Support: We help you gather, prepare, and review all necessary documents required for your application, minimizing the chances of delays or rejections due to incomplete or incorrect submissions.
• Legal Representation: Our team includes licensed immigration advisors who can represent you in dealings with Immigration New Zealand, ensuring your application is professionally managed.
• Appeals and Reviews: Should your application face challenges, we assist with appeals and reviews, providing expert advice and representation to navigate complex immigration issues.
• Settlement Services: Beyond visa applications, we offer advice and resources to help you settle in New Zealand, including information on housing, employment, and community integration.

You can reach our team for consultation or assistance through multiple channels:

• Phone: Call us at [your phone number] during business hours for immediate assistance.
• Email: Send your inquiries to [your email address], and one of our advisors will respond within 24 hours.
• Online Contact Form: Fill out the contact form on our website, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

Office Visit: You’re welcome to visit our office at [office address]. We recommend scheduling an appointment to ensure a consultant is available to meet with you.

Using an immigration advisory service offers several benefits, including:

• Expertise and Experience: Our advisors are knowledgeable about the latest immigration laws, regulations, and procedures, increasing the likelihood of a successful application.
• Time-Saving: We handle the application process for you, from documentation to submission, saving you time and effort.
• Reduced Stress: Navigating immigration procedures can be stressful. We provide clear guidance and support, reducing anxiety and uncertainty.
• Increased Success Rate: Our expertise and thorough preparation of your application can significantly increase the chances of approval.
• Personalized Service: We tailor our services to meet your specific needs and circumstances, providing personalized advice and solutions.

The processing time for a New Zealand visa application can vary significantly depending on the visa category, the completeness of your application, and the current workload of Immigration New Zealand. Generally, processing times can range from a few weeks to several months. We provide guidance on expected timelines based on your specific visa type and application details. You may want to check this official immigration website URL to understand How long it takes to process and application

Eligibility criteria for a New Zealand visa depend on the type of visa you are applying for. Common criteria include:

• Health and Character Requirements: Applicants must meet certain health and character standards.
• Proof of Funds: Evidence of sufficient funds to support your stay in New Zealand.
• Purpose of Visit: You must have a clear and legitimate reason for visiting, such as tourism, work, study, or family reunification.
• Valid Passport: A passport valid for at least three months beyond your planned departure date from New Zealand.

Required documents can vary by visa type but generally include:

• Completed Application Form
• Passport-Sized Photographs
• Valid Passport
• Proof of Funds
• Travel Itinerary for certain visas
• Medical and Police Clearance Certificates
• Evidence of Employment or Study (if applicable)
• Proof of Accommodation (if applicable)

Key factors include:

• Completeness and Accuracy of Application: Incomplete or inaccurate applications are a common reason for delays or rejections.
• Compliance with Eligibility Criteria: Failing to meet the visa-specific criteria.
• Health and Character Requirements: Issues related to health and character can impact your application.
• Immigration History: Previous immigration history and compliance can affect your application’s outcome.

Yes, we offer comprehensive assistance for family members accompanying you to New Zealand, ensuring all applications are coordinated and meet the necessary criteria for family visas.

Our fees vary depending on the complexity of your case and the type of service you require. We offer transparent pricing and will provide you with a detailed quote during your initial consultation.

What sets us apart is our commitment to personalized service, our deep understanding of New Zealand immigration law, and our track record of success. Our team of licensed immigration advisors provides tailored advice and dedicated support, ensuring the best possible outcomes for our clients. We pride ourselves on our integrity, transparency, and the positive impact we have on our clients’ lives as they navigate the journey to New Zealand

New Zealand offers several pathways to obtaining a resident visa, each catering to different applicant profiles, including skills, investment capacity, and family connections. The most common pathways are:

• Skilled Migrant Category: This pathway is for individuals who possess skills, experience, and qualifications that are needed by New Zealand. Points are awarded based on these factors, along with age and employability, to determine eligibility. There are three pathways:
  1. Skilled migrant pathway
  2. Green List Pathway
  3. Care Workforce and Transport Sector Agreements pathway
• Work to Residence: This option allows individuals who are already in New Zealand on a work visa to apply for residency after working in the country for a certain period, typically 2 years. This includes Long Term Skill Shortage List Work Visa holders and Accredited Employer Work Visa holders.
• Family Categories: These visas are for those who have family members already residing in New Zealand who can sponsor their application. This includes partners, children, and sometimes parents or siblings.

Business and Investor Categories: For individuals who plan to invest a significant amount of money in New Zealand or who want to start or purchase a business in New Zealand, there are several visa options that can lead to residency.

Eligibility criteria for a resident visa in New Zealand vary depending on the specific pathway. However, common criteria across most categories include:

• Good health and character: Applicants must pass health and character checks.
• Age limits: Some visa categories have age restrictions, particularly those based on employment.
• English language proficiency: Applicants must often prove they can speak, understand, and write in English.
• Job offer (for some categories): For work-related pathways, having a job offer in New Zealand in a relevant field is often necessary.
• Investment funds or business plan (for business categories): Demonstrating the required investment amount or presenting a viable business plan is crucial for investor or entrepreneur pathways.

Obtaining residency in New Zealand comes with several benefits, including:

• Right to live and work: Residents can live, work, and study in New Zealand indefinitely.
• Access to healthcare and education: Residents have access to New Zealand’s public healthcare system and can enroll in public schools and universities at domestic rates.
• Pathway to citizenship: After meeting certain criteria, including time spent in the country, residents can apply for New Zealand citizenship.
• Sponsor family members: Residents can sponsor eligible family members for residency.
• Social services: Eligibility for various social services and benefits, similar to New Zealand citizens.

Whether you need a job offer depends on the visa category. For the Skilled Migrant Category, a job offer can significantly increase your points and chances of success but is not always mandatory. For Work to Residence visas, a job offer from an accredited employer or in a field listed on the Long Term Skill Shortage List is required. Other pathways, such as family sponsorship or investor visas, do not require a job offer.

Yes, most New Zealand resident visa categories allow you to include your family members in your application. This typically includes your partner and dependent children aged 24 and under. Each family member included in the application must meet the health and character requirements.

The language requirements for a New Zealand resident visa vary by category. For many pathways, including the Skilled Migrant Category, applicants must demonstrate a competent level of English. As part of your application, you will need to attain an overall IELTS score of 6.5 or more from either the General or Academic test.  This is often done through an approved English language test (such as IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE), showing that you meet a minimum score. Alternatively, applicants can sometimes demonstrate English proficiency through their background, such as having completed certain studies in English. Some visa categories may have different requirements or may waive the language requirement under specific conditions. Below table taken from Immigration website gives the acceptable test results for various English tests. Please refer to the below website link for more information about English language requiremetns.

Source of Information: https://www.immigration.govt.nz/new-zealand-visas/preparing-a-visa-application/english-language/english-language-requirements-for-skilled-residence-visas 

New Zealand offers a range of work visa options designed to cater to different skills, qualifications, and employment situations. These include:

• Accredited Employer Work Visa AEWV): The Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) is a policy introduced by New Zealand to manage and streamline the process for employers to recruit overseas workers. This visa type represents part of New Zealand’s immigration strategy to ensure that the recruitment of foreign workers only happens when no suitable New Zealand citizens or residents are available to fill the roles, thereby balancing the needs of the local labor market with the demand for overseas talent.
• Specific Purpose Work Visa: For those coming to New Zealand for a specific purpose or event, such as businesspeople on secondments, sports players, professional coaches, and more.
• Partner of a New Zealander Work Visa: For the partner of a New Zealand citizen or resident, or for certain work visas will allow you to work in New Zealand.
• Post-study Work Visa: For students who have completed a qualification in New Zealand, allowing them to gain work experience in a field related to their studies.

Each visa has its own specific requirements, conditions, and durations, tailored to different employment and lifestyle aspirations.

• Religious Worker Work Visa: This visa is tailored for individuals who intend to carry out religious work in New Zealand, which could include teaching, providing spiritual care, leading ceremonies, or other related activities. Applicants must meet specific requirements, including having at least two years of religious training and/or work experience. They also need to be sponsored by a New Zealand-based religious organization registered as a charity and dedicated to advancing religion. The visa allows for a stay of up to two years, renewable once for a maximum of four years in total
• Seasonal Work Visa: New Zealand offers several types of visas that allow people from overseas to work in the country on a seasonal basis. The most notable among these is the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) Work Visa, which is specifically designed to help fill labor shortages in the horticulture and viticulture sectors. This program allows employers from these industries, who are unable to find New Zealand citizens or residents to perform the work, to recruit workers from overseas for seasonal work.

Eligibility for a work visa in New Zealand depends on the type of visa, but common criteria include:

• Job Offer: For most work visas, you must have a job offer from a New Zealand employer.
• Health and Character: Applicants must meet health and character requirements.
• Qualifications: Some visas require relevant qualifications or work experience in your field.
• Salary: Certain visas have minimum income requirements to ensure the job is genuinely skilled.
• Age: Some visas have age limits, such as the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa or the Silver Fern Job Search Visa.

It’s important to consult the specific requirements for the visa you’re interested in, as they can vary significantly.

Yes, many New Zealand work visas allow you to include your family members in your application or they can apply for visas based on their relationship to you. This typically includes partners and dependent children up to a certain age. Each family member must meet the health and character requirements set by Immigration New Zealand. We can provide more insight through an initial consultation with you.

Yes, some work visa categories require you to earn above a certain threshold to ensure the employment is genuinely skilled. These thresholds are updated periodically, so it’s essential to check the current requirements on the Immigration New Zealand website or you may contact us to have a discussion specific to your case.

This depends on the conditions of your specific work visa. Usually work visas are tied to the specific job, employer, and location stated in your visa application. To switch jobs, you would typically need to apply for a variation of conditions or a new visa.  Always check the conditions of your visa before changing your employment situation.

The processing time for work visa applications in New Zealand varies depending on the visa category, the complexity of your application, and the volume of applications being processed. Generally, processing can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months. Immigration New Zealand’s website provides up-to-date information on processing times for different visa types, allowing you to get a more accurate estimate based on your specific circumstances. You may want to check this official immigration website URL to understand How long it takes to process a work visa application

A partnership-based visa for New Zealand allows someone to live in, and sometimes work in, New Zealand based on their relationship with a New Zealand citizen or resident. This type of visa is designed to reunite partners and families, recognizing the importance of maintaining personal relationships across borders

To be eligible, applicants must be in a genuine and stable relationship with a New Zealand citizen or resident. Both parties must meet certain health, character, and potentially income requirements. The New Zealand-based partner must also be eligible to support the visa application.

A recognized partnership for visa purposes includes both legal marriages and de facto relationships (where the couple lives together in a relationship similar to a marriage). The relationship must be genuine, stable, and likely to endure.

Yes, New Zealand recognizes same-sex relationships for the purposes of partnership-based visas. Same-sex couples can apply as long as they meet the same criteria of a genuine and stable relationship as opposite-sex couples.

Applicants typically need to provide evidence of their relationship, including but not limited to joint bank account statements, correspondence to the same address, photos together, and statements from friends or family affirming the relationship’s genuineness. Details of shared life commitments are crucial.

You do not need to be married to apply. Both de facto partnerships and legal marriages are recognized for the purpose of applying for a partnership-based visa, provided the relationship is genuine and stable.

A partnership-based work visa allows the holder to live and work in New Zealand temporarily, while a partnership-based resident visa can lead to permanent residency. The work visa is generally quicker to obtain but offers fewer long-term benefits than the resident visa.

Processing times vary based on application volume, complexity, and completeness of the application. Applicants should prepare for several months of processing time and check the latest information on the New Zealand Immigration website for current estimates.

If declined, applicants will receive a letter explaining the decision and information on the appeal process, if applicable. Applicants can consider submitting a new application with additional evidence or addressing the reasons for the initial decline.

Yes, dependent children can usually be included in your partnership-based visa application. They must meet certain requirements related to age, dependency, and sometimes health and character.

The New Zealand partner may need to meet certain income requirements to sponsor their partner and any dependents. This ensures the sponsor can financially support the incoming family members.

Yes, evidence of cohabitation is typically required to demonstrate the genuineness of the relationship, especially for de facto partnerships. This can include shared lease agreements, utility bills in both names, or other documents proving a shared living arrangement.

Most partnership-based visas allow the holder to work in New Zealand, but the specific rights can vary based on the visa type. It’s essential to review the conditions of your particular visa.

Conditions typically include continuing to live with your partner in New Zealand and meeting any specific terms outlined in the visa, such as not committing serious crimes. Failure to adhere to these conditions can result in visa cancellation.

Yes, holding a partnership-based visa can be a step towards New Zealand citizenship. After meeting residency requirements and other criteria, such as time spent in New Zealand and good character, you may apply for citizenship

To obtain a student visa for New Zealand, you must meet several key requirements:

• Offer of Place: You must have an offer of place from a New Zealand education provider, which confirms your acceptance into a full-time educational program.
• Proof of Funds: You must provide evidence of sufficient funds to cover your tuition fees and living expenses during your stay. The specific amount depends on the length of your course and whether you’re studying in a city or region.
• Health Insurance: You must have appropriate medical and travel insurance for the duration of your stay.
• Health and Character Certificates: You may need to undergo a medical examination and provide a police certificate to prove that you’re of good health and character.
• English Proficiency: Depending on your country of origin and the level of study, you might need to show evidence of English language proficiency through tests like IELTS or TOEFL.
• Visa Application Form and Fee: A completed student visa application form and the payment of the application fee are required.

Yes, you can work while studying on a student visa in New Zealand, but there are restrictions:

• Full-time students: You may work up to 20 hours per week during the academic year and full-time during scheduled holidays, depending on your course requirements.

PhD and Masters by research students: You may work full-time. The specific conditions regarding work rights are detailed on your visa label or visa letter.

A student visa in New Zealand is generally valid for the duration of the program of study for which it was granted, up to a maximum of four years. The validity period is specified on the visa.

Yes, you must provide proof of financial support as part of your student visa application. This includes:

• Evidence of sufficient funds to cover your tuition fees for the first year or the entire course, if it is less than one year.
• Evidence of NZD $20,000 per year to cover your living expenses, or if your study is less than 36 weeks, NZD $1,650 for each month of study.

Yes, you can apply to extend your student visa in New Zealand if you wish to continue your studies beyond the expiry date of your current visa. You’ll need to provide:

• A new offer of place from an approved education provider.
• Evidence of continued financial support and adequate insurance.
• Proof that you’ve been making satisfactory progress in your current course of study.

If your student visa application is rejected, you will receive a letter from Immigration New Zealand explaining the reasons for the decision. If you are onsite in New Zealand, you will have the right to appeal the decision or address the reasons for rejection in a new application. It’s important to carefully review the rejection reasons and ensure that any new application fully addresses these issues, perhaps seeking the advice of a legal expert or licensed immigration adviser.

A visitor visa for New Zealand allows travelers to enter the country for tourism, to visit friends and family, or for short-term business consultations. It grants temporary entry to individuals who wish to experience New Zealand’s culture, landscapes, and hospitality for a limited period.

Eligibility for a visitor visa to New Zealand includes tourists, people visiting family and friends, and individuals coming for business consultations. Applicants must prove they have genuine intentions to visit, sufficient funds for their stay, and a ticket out of New Zealand or acceptable evidence of onward travel arrangements.

The main purposes include tourism, visiting friends or relatives, attending a short-term study course (for less than three months), business consultations, and participation in sports or cultural events without remuneration.

Typically, the visitor visa allows a stay of up to nine months in an 18-month period. However, extensions may be possible under certain circumstances.

You cannot undertake employment on a visitor visa. However, you may study for up to three months in any 12-month period.

Yes, applicants must provide evidence of sufficient funds to support themselves during their stay, which could include bank statements, financial guarantees, or sponsorship by a New Zealand resident or citizen.

Applicants may be required to undergo health assessments depending on the length of their stay and their home country. Additionally, a character check, including police certificates, may be required to ensure applicants do not pose a risk to New Zealand’s safety.

Required documents typically include a valid passport, proof of onward travel, evidence of sufficient funds, health and character certificates (if applicable), and any documents supporting the visa application’s purpose (like invitations from New Zealand residents).

Processing times vary based on the applicant’s country, application completeness, and peak travel seasons. It’s best to apply well in advance of your planned travel date.

Yes, you can include your partner and dependent children aged 19 and under in your visitor visa application, provided they meet all requirements.

If declined, you’ll receive a letter explaining the reasons. You can address these issues and reapply or appeal the decision if you believe an error was made.

No fixed maximum exists, but each application is assessed on its merits, considering your travel history, reasons for visiting, and ability to leave New Zealand after your visit.

Previous overstays may affect your credibility as a genuine visitor. While you can still apply, disclosing this information is crucial, and approval will depend on the circumstances.

Extensions may be possible under certain conditions, such as significant changes in circumstances or compassionate grounds. However, you must apply before your current visa expires.

Conditions typically include not working in New Zealand, remaining financially stable without public assistance, and not overstaying your visa period. Compliance with New Zealand laws is also required