IMMIGRATION

Business and Investment Visas

If you wish gain a visa through investment in New Zealand, there are the following main categories:

Active Investor Plus:  Applicants for this residence class visa must invest between NZ$5million and NZD$15 million (determined by the type of investment) in 'acceptable investments' in New Zealand. The funds must be invested over 3 years and remain invested for a further year. Applicants must spend at least 117 days in New Zealand over the 4-year investment period. 

Entrepreneur Work Visa: If you wish to be self-employed in your own business in New Zealand, you must provide a suitable business plan with a capital investment of at least $100,000 NZD and you must obtain a minimum number of points on the points scale. You must have suitable business experience for the business you intend to start / invest in.

Entrepreneur Residence Visa: If you have been self-employed in a successful business for 2 years, you may be eligible to apply for this residence visa.   You may be eligible to apply after only 6 months if you are on an Entrepreneur Work Visa, have invested suitable capital and created full time jobs in New Zealand.

Skilled Migrant & Work Visas

If you have a tertiary or other qualification in demand in New Zealand and / or a job offer you may be eligible to apply under the skilled migrant category, which is based upon points awarded for age, work experience, qualifications, job offer and other categories.

If you obtain an offer of employment, you may also qualify for an Accredited Employer Visa - depending on your profession this could be a work visa, work to residence visa, or fast track to residence.

Skilled Migrant Category Residence Visa:  The Skilled Migrant Category ("SMC") Visa is temporarily closed and due to re-open with updated requirements on 9 October 2023.  Upon re-opening, applicants will be required to have a skilled job or job offer in New Zealand with an accredited employer to apply. Applicants will also need to demonstrate a total of 6 points against the SMC criteria.  Points are awarded for New Zealand occupational registration, qualifications (Bachelor's degree or higher), income from employment or the employment offer (if at least 1.5x the median wage in New Zealand) and skilled work experience. 

Accredited Employer Work Visa:  Applicants must have a full time offer of employment in New Zealand for a role they are suitably qualified for.  The offer of employment must meet minimum pay thresholds.  Unless the role is on the "Green List", the employer will also need to demonstrate that the job has first been advertised to New Zealanders and that there are no suitable New Zealanders available to work in the role.   

Accredited Employer (Work to Residence) Visa:  After two years working for an accredited employer in New Zealand in a role on "Tier 2" of the Green List, applicants may be eligble to apply for this residence visa.  Jobs on this list include nursing, certain trades, certain teachers and some farming roles.

Accredited Employer (Straight to Residence): Applicants may be eligible to immediately apply for residence if they have a full time offer of employment or current employment with an accredited employer in a role on "Tier 1" of the Green List.   Jobs on this list include certain medical professionals, ICT specialists, engineers, and more. 

There are several other work visas which may be applicable depending on your circumstances, including post-study work visas, partnership work visa, specific purpose work visa or working holiday visa.

Partnership & Family Visas

If you have a partner who is a New Zealand citizen or resident then you may be eligible to apply under the partnership category for a visitor, work or residence visa.   You may be eligible to immediately apply for permanent residence if you have resided outside of New Zealand with your New Zealand citizen or resident partner for 5 or more years.  Please contact us for further information as strict timeframes apply. 

There are various other categories which may allow you to join family including the Parent Resident Visa, Parent Retirement Resident Visa, Parent and Grandparent Visitor Visa, Dependent Child Visa, and more.  Please contact us for further information. 

Difficult Matters, Appeals, Reviews, Injunctions, Special Direction, Deportation, Judicial Review

If you have a difficult case or a problem, we have substantial experience over decades in all manner of appeals, reviews, special directions, exceptions, waivers, prejudicial information, appeals to the Ombudsman, judicial review and all manner of difficult and complex cases and would be pleased to discuss this with you.

Please contact us for further information on immigration@becker.co.nz