Immigration to New Zealand - Immigration Law Advocates New Zealand

NEWSLETTER

June 2008

Welcome to the new edition of ILA's Newsletter

What you will find in this quarter’s newsletter:

Immigration Policy Updates
Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007.
Upcoming Events
Some interesting facts

IMMIGRATION POLICY UPDATES

Once again, we have seen significant changes to INZ policy being introduced in respect to Applications under Partnership and Entrepreneur Category. The following changes came into effect in February 2008:

POLICE CERTIFICATE REQUIREMENT FOR NZ SPOUSE

Partners supporting partnership-based temporary or permanent entry applications must now meet character requirements (unless granted a character waiver). An application will be declined if the supporting partner/intended partner has been convicted in the seven years before the application is made, of any offence involving domestic violence or of a sexual violence nature. This applies to sponsors who are New Zealand citizens, permanent residents or long term work or student permit holders. For temporary entry applications, a declaration may be sufficient; however permanent resident applications require the provision of original police certificates.

ENTREPRENEUR CATEGORY – PHYSICAL PRESENCE IN NZ

Although no changes have been made to the written INZ Policy concerning the consideration of physical presence in New Zealand, recent case law decisions from the Residence Review Board have concluded (in contradiction to its own earlier decisions when known as the Residence Appeal Authority), that, in effect two years of physical presence in New Zealand is “the starting point”. Whilst short absences from the country are acceptable, the longer an applicant spends overseas, the more compelling the reasons (and evidence) would need to be of the connection between the absence from New Zealand and the pursuit of the business’ interests.

Whilst this interpretation of policy certainly, in our opinion, seems to be at odds with the objective of the policy itself, when considering the nature of international entrepreneurs, it is presently a factor which must be kept in mind when managing a business under a Long Term Business Visa or when planning an application for residence under the Entrepreneur Category.

We recommend that if you have any concerns as to if or how this affects you, that you get in touch with your ILA consultant.

IMMIGRATION ADVISERS LINCENSING ACT 2007

How do I know if my immigration adviser has a licence?

All licensed immigration advisers must display their current adviser’s licence in a prominent place at their place of business at all times. They must also provide evidence of being licensed to clients on request. From 4 May 2009 all onshore immigration advisers must have a licence. You can check the IAA Register of Immigration Advisers online at www.iaa.govt.nz or inspect the Register at the IAA’s offices to confirm if an immigration adviser has a licence.

UPCOMING EVENTS

WEBINARS:

As a subscriber of our Newsletter we thought you may be interested in attending some of our FREE

Web Events (Webinars)

WEBINARS JUNE / JULY 2008

Changes to the Skilled Migrant Category by ILA

Presenter: Joe Holland

Date and Time:

Monday 16^th June 9 Am (Pacific/Auckland)

Sunday 15^th June 10 Pm (Europe/London)

Baileys Real Estate Rangiora:

Presenter: Barbara Redway (Residential & Lifestyle Specialist)

Date and Time:

Friday 27^th June 9 Am (Pacific/Auckland)

Thursday 26^th June 10 Pm (Europe/London)

Broadbase: UK Pension Transfers and Financial Needs

Presenter: Steve Baker

Date and Time:

Tuesday 01^st July 9 Am (Pacific/Auckland)

Monday 30^th June 10 Pm (Europe/London)

MIGRANT’S NIGHT:

Blue Rooster Café,

90 Victoria St, Rangiora

16^TH June. From 7:00 to 9:00pm

Don’t miss our next migrant’s night, remember the third “Monday of Every Month” you will have the opportunity to meet new people and why not build relationships.

SOME INTERESTING IMMIGRATION FACTS!

Of a 2007 immigration survey of over 600 new migrants 74 percent were very satisfied or satisfied with their employment here in New Zealand at the other end 1 percent were very dissatisfied with their employment here;
Additionally 88 percent of those migrants were very satisfied/satisfied with their children’s schooling;
Home ownership for new migrants 57 percent is similar to the New Zealand average of 53 percent;
Did you know of those that took place in the survey 87 percent would recommend to others New Zealand as a place to live!
50 percent of those migrants surveyed see New Zealand as a place they can achieve their desired lifestyle.