News and Articles

The impacts of Covid-19 on the New Zealand Immigration system and border have been significant and immigration policy and operational instructions have updated at a speed not seen before since the borders were first closed in March 2020. The Skilled Migrant Category has resumed fully, in a new simplified version. This has been in place since October 2023 and you can read about the requirements here.

Other categories to have undergone, or are in the process of undergoing, significant changes include the Investor categories (see our Investor Categories page for more information), the Post-Study work visa policy and the introduction of several new resident visa categories. Selection of Expressions of Interests for the Skilled Migrant Category has resumed, whilst the category is currently being reviewed. It is likely we will see a significant change to the way points are allocated under this category later in 2023.

Please refer to some of the articles below which relate to changes to be implemented or are currently being reviewed.

Employer Work Visa

Update: open work rights return for partners of high skilled migrants

October 23, 2024

Over the last 18 months, there have been significant changes to the work rights of partners of work visa holders. Two of the most significant changes are as follows: Today, the Government announced that they will reverse the first change mentioned above from 2 December 2024. In essence, migrants who are granted a Partner of […]

Further updates to recent changes to New Zealand immigration settings

May 15, 2024

As previously published, New Zealand Immigration Minister, the Hon Erica Stanford, announced wide sweeping immigration changes to New Zealand Immigration settings on Sunday, 7 April 2024. The changes impact migrants in traditionally ‘low skilled’ roles and employers working in related industries. Higher skilled roles are not expected to be significantly impacted by these changes. Migrants […]

Significant changes to New Zealand immigration settings

April 9, 2024

New Zealand Immigration Minister, Hon Erica Stanford, announced wide sweeping immigration changes to New Zealand Immigration settings on Sunday, 7 April 2024. The changes will impact migrants in traditionally ‘low skilled’ roles and employers working in related industries. Higher skilled roles are not expected to be impacted by these changes. Migrants currently holding valid Accredited […]

Other news

Updates to the Skilled Migrant Resident Visa Category and Parent Resident Visa Category

October 13, 2022

Skilled Migrant Resident Visa Category Skilled Migrant Category reopens On 12 October 2022, the New Zealand government announced that selections of expressions of interest (EOIs) for the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa (SMC) will resume on 9 November 2022. On 9 November, INZ will select all EOIs in the pool with at least 160 points, […]

New Zealand’s borders fully reopened by 1 August 2022

May 12, 2022

On 11 May 2022, the New Zealand government announced that New Zealand’s borders will be fully opened by 1 August 2022, bringing forward Phase 5 of the border reopening by two months. At 23:59 (NZST) on 31 July 2022, the maritime border will reopen, as will applications for student, visitor, and work visas that are […]

New Zealand immigration rebalance and the impacts on new Work Visa framework

March 22, 2022

Many will recall the new Accredited Employer Work Visa framework and associated mandatory accreditation standards that were due to come into effect on 1 November 2021. The introduction of the new framework was deferred on 16 July 2021. Immigration New Zealand confirmed on 22 March 2022 that the new framework will continue to go ahead […]

New Zealand border begins to reopen

March 14, 2022

The second stage of New Zealand’s border reopening came into effect today, 14 March 2022. While this morning began with limited information on the operational instructions and policy to support the first stage, this has since been released and many are excited for the change and what for many employers, is the first opportunity they […]

Light at the end of the tunnel for New Zealand border

February 3, 2022

Many New Zealanders around the world who have been trying, unsuccessfully, to return home, will be breathing a sigh of relief following the New Zealand government’s announcement today on the changes to Managed Isolation and Quarantine (“MIQ”). Businesses and migrants will also be looking positively to the staged wider reopening of the border. Prime Minister […]

When will New Zealand’s borders reopen?

January 21, 2022

Happy New Year! As we enter 2022, many businesses, migrants and holiday makers are wondering whether we will see a change to New Zealand’s border settings. Will critical workers be able to travel to New Zealand? Will New Zealanders be able to return to overseas travel? Unfortunately, the answers to these questions remain unknown at […]

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