For professional immigration to New Zealand, there are several types of visas, each with its own nuances and requirements for the applicant.
The main types of visas to New Zealand:
1 Skilled Migrant - is a resident visa demanded professional. The main advantage of this visa is that it can fit children (opening a separate visa is not required)
The list of professions that allow you to open this visa can be explored here.
The application for a Skilled Migrant visa occurs in 2 stages:
- Gain the required number of points – Expression of Interest (EOI). This indicator sets what interest a person represents for the New Zealand state. The main factors such as age (up to 55 years), qualifications of the applicant, proposals for cooperation are taken into account. You can apply for the calculation of points (EOI) online, and you will also have to pay a fee of 530 NZ $.
- Applying. An application for a Skilled Migrant visa can be submitted by persons who have scored the required number of points. Such applicants will receive a special invitation within 6 months after submitting information to the EOI or will not receive it at all, then the procedure should be repeated. Often applicants are denied Skilled Migrant and are offered a “search visa” in return. This type of visa is valid for 9 months and allows a person to find an interested employer or re-apply for a Skilled Migrant visa or leave the country.
Work to Residence - this type of visa can be opened by persons who already have an invitation from a New Zealand employer who undertakes to provide a full-time employment with decent wage, as well as fulfill a number of other necessary conditions.
Work to Residence visa is issued for a period of 30 months. After 2 years of work, the person has the right to apply for residency in New Zealand. Holders of this visa can not add their family members, they will have to open a separate visa.
The following categories of migrants can apply for a Work to Residence visa:
- Persons whose profession is on the Long Term Skill Shortage List (LTSSL) – a list of sought-after professions in New Zealand that are scarce in the long run. The age of applicants should not exceed 53 years.
- Talented applicants (scientists, athletes, artists, etc.). Applicants must not exceed 55 years old.
- Highly qualified specialists who received an offer from companies that have state accreditation to attract employees abroad. Also, the age of applicants should not exceed 55 years.
Silver Fern – this type of visa to attract young professionals in New Zealand.
Divided into 2 types:
- Silver Fern Job Search Visa – a visa is issued for a job search in New Zealand, the period of validity is 9 months and is issued ONCE once in a lifetime. Only 300 such visas are issued annually.
Requirements for the applicant:
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- Age from 20 to 35 years;
- Bachelor’s degree (minimum);
- Relevant qualifications;
- Have 4.200 NZ $ in your bank account.
- Silver Fern Practical Experience Visa – a work visa for individuals who have already found an employer. The contract with the employer must be concluded for a period of at least 12 months. The visa is issued for a period of 2 years and can be renewed only ONCE.
Essential Skills - short-term visa, issued for a period of 3 years.
Essential Skills – short-term visa, issued for a period of 3 years. To obtain this visa, the applicant must have an invitation from the employer. At the same time, the employer must prove that he did not find worthy candidates among the citizens of New Zealand, and the foreign employee has a high rating of his qualifications in the ANZSCO system. Also, the specialty of the employee should be included in the Immediate Skill Shortage List (ISSL) – specialties that are needed in the short term. The applicant may not always have time to register the status of the resident of New Zealand, because by the time the visa expires, the need for professional skills of the employee may disappear. Documents required for processing a work visa must be submitted in original or notarized photocopy, in English or translated into English by a registered translation agency.
Documents required for obtaining a work visa:
- A valid international passport (original) or other travel document for each applicant included in the application. The validity of the passport must be at least 3 months from the date of departure from the territory of New Zealand;
- Application form INZ 1015 with the signature and the date of filling of the applicant and a form with additional information;
- 2 photos of size 4.5×3.5 from each applicant (on the reverse side the name and surname of the applicant is written);
- Receipt of payment of visa fees;
- An invitation from a New Zealand employer that complies with New Zealand’s labor market regulations, except as noted in Immediate or Long Term Occupational Shortage lists. The invitation should contain information about salary, number of working hours, place of residence of the employee, date of departure from the territory of New Zealand. Also the employer may be required to provide additional documents to clarify information.
- Form INZ1113 completed by the employer with additional information;
- Evidence that the prospective employee has the necessary qualifications and experience in New Zealand, including professional registration, if required by the position held, proof of knowledge of English (IELTS certificate, TOELF) to prove ability to work in an English-speaking environment. Documents submitted will be checked:
- Return ticket or warranty from the employer that the employee will leave the territory of New Zealand;
- Medical form. Issued no earlier than 3 months before applying for a visa. Filled, signed and stamped by a doctor designated by the immigration authorities of New Zealand:
- If the applicant \ ‘s applicants plan to stay in New Zealand for more than 6 months – the form INZ1096 is provided (for each applicant over 11 years old);
- If the applicant \ ‘s applicants plan to be in New Zealand for more than 12 months – the form NZ1007 and INZ1096 are INZ1096.
- If the applicant / applicants who have reached the age of 17 plan to stay in New Zealand for more than 2 years, must provide a certificate of good conduct in the territory of the country of residence, as well as the same certificate where he lived for 5 years from the date of turning 17 years old. The certificate must be issued no earlier than 6 months from the date of submission of documents for the visa.
Documents that may also be required:
- A copy of the student card, a certificate from the school (for students);
- Confirmation of learning English (in the country of residence or abroad);
- Double-sided photocopy of the workbook (pages with stamps and records);
- Double-sided photocopy of the national passport (pages with stamps and records);
- Double-sided photocopy of passport (page with stamps and records);
- Marriage certificate, divorce (if any);
- Proof of civil marriage (if any);
- Other information confirming the purpose of the trip to the territory of New Zealand and the motivation to return home.
The time of consideration of the application is on average 2 weeks, but, depending on the circumstances, may be extended.
The visa officer reserves the right to request photographs, documents, as well as other information that will facilitate the decision and invite the applicant for an interview.
