Changes to the investor category pathway to residence
On the 9th of February 2025, the Minister of Immigration announced changes to reduce the amount of investment needed to attract capital and investment to New Zealand. Very briefly it is:
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The Growth category will focus on higher-risk investments, including direct investments in New Zealand businesses. It will require a minimum investment of $5 million for a minimum period of three years.
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The Balanced category will focus on mixed investments, with the ability to choose ones that are lower risk. There will be a minimum investment of $10 million over five years.
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The Growth category is a significant reduction from the previous policy which failed to gain significant interest.
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The Balanced category may suit passive investors wishing to have little involvement.
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No more English test requirements.
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Amount of time needed to spend in New Zealand for the main applicant significantly reduced to 3 weeks over the 3 year period for the Growth category and for the Balanced only 105 days over the 5 year investment term.
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These time requirements will especially suit those who wish to continue their interests elsewhere in the world, or they may wish to live in New Zealand and make it their base.
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No age restrictions
Positive changes to Work Visas coming in over 2025 for work visa applicants & employers- announcement from the Minister of Immigration
Securing the skills and experience NZ needs
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The Government is supporting businesses to secure the skills and experience New Zealand needs by continuing to refine the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV).
“A responsive immigration system is fundamental to rebuilding the economy,” Immigration Minister Erica Stanford says.
“Earlier in the year, we made initial changes to the AEWV to get unsustainable net migration under control and reduce migrant exploitation. Since then, Immigration NZ has also made operational changes and focused on upskilling of immigration officers to mitigate risk, significantly increase productivity, and speed up AEWV processing.
“For example, the median Employer Accreditation processing timeframe has reduced from 62 calendar days to 14, and productivity in the Job Check has doubled. These efficiency gains alongside the changes announced today will ensure we have the right balance of ensuring New Zealanders are prioritised for job opportunities while providing a more fit for purpose and responsive visa when a business needs to employ a migrant.
“In March we will remove the median wage threshold as set out in the coalition agreement with ACT. The previous Government used the median wage as an artificial proxy for skill which did not work. Instead, it distorted wages and in some cases resulted in businesses paying migrant workers more than New Zealanders doing the same job. Other businesses had to increase prices to ensure pay equity across Kiwi and migrant workers.”
Other changes coming into effect from March 2025 include:
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Reducing the minimum experience requirement for lower skilled migrants to two years.
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Increasing the visa duration for new applicants in Level 4-5 roles from two to three years to align with the maximum continuous stay.
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Extending interim work rights to AEWV applicants who are applying from any work visa type or from a student visa that allows them to work during term time. This will support migrants to maintain employment while their visa is processed.
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Reduce the domestic workforce threshold for labour hire employers of certain construction roles from 35 to 15 per cent.
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Amending the labour market test to a declaration-based model. Employers will need to advertise with MSD and be able to demonstrate they considered New Zealanders who applied for any role in good faith.
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Inflation adjusting the income threshold for an AEWV holder to support a dependent child from NZ$43,322 to NZ$55,844.
“Cabinet has also agreed in principle to two new seasonal visas to be implemented in late 2025. These visas will provide a more nuanced and flexible response to differing needs of businesses in certain sectors and regions. While further design work is underway, the current seasonal subcategory visa will be extended.
“Immigration New Zealand is also undertaking a re-design of the Job Check step of the AEWV process to allow for greater streamlining for low-risk employers. It is my expectation processing times improve further as a result.
"Our focus remains on attracting more higher-skilled workers while managing migration levels responsibly, so New Zealand has access to the skills we need to grow our economy. These changes will support a smarter, efficient and predictable immigration system,” Ms Stanford says.
Good news for partners
of skilled work visa holders
23 October 2024
Open work rights return for partners of high skilled migrants
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The Government is ensuring New Zealand attracts and retains the workers and skills it needs by returning open work rights to partners of high-skilled migrants.
“We are committed to growing the economy and our immigration system is critical to that. From 2 December, open work rights will be available to partners of Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) holders working in higher-skilled roles who earn at least 80 percent of the median wage,” Immigration Minister Erica Stanford says.
The same rights will also be available for partners of AEWV holders working in lower-skilled roles who are on a pathway to residence. The changes deliver on the coalition commitment between National and ACT to make it easier for family members of visa holders to work here.
“The previous Government’s decision to restrict the settings caused enormous distress amongst our migrant communities. We want high-skilled migrants to see New Zealand as an attractive and supportive place to move with their families. We need to build capacity in sectors facing skills shortages, like healthcare and education.
“I want a system that creates opportunities for people to come here and make a meaningful contribution, but also protects New Zealanders rights to work and thrive,” Ms Stanford says.
“The improvements we are making in immigration are restoring balance to the system, ensuring we are well-positioned to continue rebuilding the economy.”
Changes are coming to the skilled migrant visas
Plans advanced for new skilled migrant visa policy
An announcement of partner work rights was expected in the next week and a new skilled migrant visa policy was “the next cab off the rank”. That would deal with categories of staff who could not get residence because their salary was not 1.5 of the median wage, they did not have a degree, or they were not in a registered occupation.
The immigration list had been used as “a dumping ground proxy” for those outside the criteria, she said.
“I am worried, though, that the time that [new policy] will take will mean we might lose people. So it may well have to be, in the meantime, that we do have to use that green list as a bit of a proxy. It’s not ideaI but I will, because I know that where there are skilled people that we don’t want to lose, and we’re at risk of losing them.”
An announcement on that was expected by the end of the year. So too, work on encouraging more international students and a replacement for the investor visa: “We had the golden goose, and now we’ve got the lame duck,” she said of the visa used to attract wealthy investors.
Work on a manifesto pledge to introduce a renewable parent visa will start next year, she added.
Parent Boost
Parent Visa Boost
Until now, to have your parents stay in New Zealand long term, you had them go into a ballot with a less than 5% chance of being chosen.
The current government's agenda is to make many changes and perhaps one of the most practical is to support migrants by making it easier for parents and grandparents to reconnect with their family in New Zealand.
Currently parents and grandparents of migrants who are permanent residents or citizens have limited options to visit their children in New Zealand making other countries a more attractive option to skilled migrants.
Moving to another country can be a stressful time. Providing more options for parents and grandparents to live with their children in New Zealand can help skilled people integrate better into New Zealand, helping with childcare, offering stability and emotional support.
The government's manifesto is to introduce the Parent Visa Boost – an innovative multiple entry visa valid for five years with an extension possible for a further five.
Migrants entering on the Parent Visa Boost must be sponsored by their children or grandchildren and would not be eligible for NZ Super or other entitlements.
Individuals would also be required to carry health insurance for the duration of their stay and would need to pass standard Immigration New Zealand health and other requirements to receive their visa.
The goal is to attract and retain skilled migrants, to have sensible solutions that make New Zealand more attractive without costing taxpayers.
If you are thinking of making the move to New Zealand but you don't want to leave your parents behind then get in contact today for a free consultation.