New Zealand immigration policy changes: ESL students will be allowed to work

Wed Aug 1 13:28:04 UTC 2007

New Zealand immigration policy changes effective 30 July 2007

*31 July 2007
------------------------------
*

A number of changes to New
Zealand's<http://www.workpermit.com/new_zealand/new_zealand.htm>immigration
policy will go into effect on 30 July 2007 including changes to
Residence policy and Temporary Entry policy. Visa and permit application
fees will also change.
*Changes to Residence immigration programs*

There are several changes to the points awarded under the Skilled Migrant
Category <http://www.workpermit.com/new_zealand/employee.htm> (SMC):

   - Bonus points awarded for skilled employment, recognized
   qualifications, and work experience in an identified future growth area will
   increase (see table below).
   - Bonus points awarded for skilled employment, recognized
   qualifications, and work experience in an identified cluster will be
   removed.
   - Bonus points awarded for a principal applicant's partner's offer of
   skilled employment in New Zealand will increase to 20 points.
   - The number of years required to be awarded points for work
   experience in New Zealand will be reduced (see table below).
   - Separate bonus points of 5 each will be awarded for a recognized New
   Zealand qualification and for two years of full-time study in New
   Zealand <http://www.workpermit.com/new_zealand/student.htm>.
   - 10 Bonus points will be available for a post-graduate recognized New
   Zealand qualification.
   - Bonus points for a principal applicant's partner's recognised
   qualification will increase to 20 points.

A detailed view of the changes to the SMC for skilled employment, recognized
qualifications and work experience in an identified future growth area is
below:

*Increased Bonus Points for Skilled Employment:

*  *Category* *Previous Policy* *New Policy* Skilled Employment 5 points 10
points Qualification 5 points 10 points Work experience 2-5 years 5 points 10
points

The number of years of New Zealand work experience required to qualify for
points will be reduced as well. See the table below for further details:

*Years of Work Experience Required for Bonus Points:*

  *NZ Work Experience* *Points after 30 July* 1 Year 5 points 2 years 10
points 3 years 15 points

The Skilled Migrant Category policy will also be ammended to clarify that an
Expression of Interest<http://www.workpermit.com/new_zealand/point_system/expression_of_interest.htm>(lodged
by a person applying for immigration to New Zealand) will only be
selected based on the principal applicant's skilled employment in New
Zealand and not the secondary applicant's skilled employment.

All SMC applications made on and after 30 July 2007 will be assessed against
the new policy.

An increase in minimum base salary of NZ $50,000 per year will be applied to
Residence from Work - Talent policy. Applicants must have employment that
meets this criteria if their Work to Residence application is made on or
after 30 July 2007. This change was made in response to increased average
salary levels since the last minimum salary was set in 2001.

The Refugee Family Support Category will replace the previous Refugee Family
Quota system. However, tier one registrations under the new policy will bot
be accepted until 12 November 2007.
*Temporary Entry policy changes*

Bulgaria and Romania will be added to the list of countries whose nationals
are able to enter New Zealand as visitors, visa free for up to three months.
Both countries joined the European Union on 01 January 2007.

Student visas <http://www.workpermit.com/new_zealand/student.htm> or permits
are available for students who are studying part time and are completing a
course of study initiated in New Zealand, and is of two years duration, or
qualifies for points under the SMC.

English language students who want a Variation of Condition (VOC) to their
student visa or permit allowing them to work part time will be able to meet
the English language requirement for the VOC after the initial date of
application for a student visa or permit.

Tertiary exchange students who are undertaking a full-time course of study
of at least one academic year's duration will be able to get a VOC to their
student visa or permit which allows them to work part-time.

Student policy has also been ammended to clarify that partners of students
studying towards a qualification on the Long Term Skill Shortage List
(LTSSL) are not eligible for open work visas and/or permits. A student's
partner must be studying for a qualification specified in the LTSSL.

The salary threshold for applications under the Talent (Accredited Employer)
Work Policy will increase from NZ $45,000 to NZ $50,000.

*Changes to Visa and Permit Application Fees*

New Zealand has also adjusted their fees for visas and permits. See the
table below for an overview:

  *Application category* *Band A New Zealand* *Band B Pacific or Sydney* *Band
C Any other location* Application for residence permit or visa - Skilled
Migrant Category 1,400 1,200 1,800 Application for residence permit or visa
- Business Investor Category 2,600 2,600 2,600 Application for residence
permit or visa - Entrepreneur Category 2,600 2,600 2,600 Expression of
Interest under Skilled Migrant Category - written paper notification 500 500
500 Expression of Interest under Skilled Migrant Category - online
notification 400 400 400 Application for returning resident's visa 140 140
140** Visitor permit or visa 130 100 130 Student permit - written paper
application 200 - -  Student permit - online application 70* - -  Student
visa 200 150 200* Work permit under talent (accredited employers), talent
(arts, culture, and sports), and LTSSL work to residence policies 240 - -  Work
permit (partnership) 280 - -  Work permit (other) 200 - -  Work visa under
talent (accredited employers), talent (arts, culture, and sports), and LTSSL
work to residence policies 240* 240* 240** Work visa under partnership
policy 280 280 280 Work visa (other) 200 180 200* Long-term business visa or
permit 2,600 2,200 2,600 Group visitor visa, per person - Beijing, Shanghai,
Taipei only - - 75* Group visitor visa, per person - Bangkok (citizens of
Thailand) only - - 75* Group visitor visa, per person - ADS - - 40* Group
visitor visa, per person - other 80* 80* 80** Application for limited
purpose visa for study purposes 200 150 200* Application for further limited
purpose permit for study purposes 200 - -  Application for limited purpose
visa or permit - other 130 100 130 Application for transit visa 120* 120*
120** For permit granted under section 35A of the Immigration Act 200
- -  Application
for variation of conditions of permit 120 - -  Request by employer for
approval in principle for granting of permit for purpose of recruitment of
staff outside New Zealand 180 - -  Transfer fee, where permit stamp or label
transferred from one passport or certificate of identity to another 100 100
100*
* indicates that the fee is unchanged
** indicates that the fee has decreased

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