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Most employers are very supportive of their migrant workers. We are on the record strongly supporting the need for employers to have access to migrant works to fill skills gaps. This can be done safely. Businesses and migrant workers are both suffering as a result of current gaps. Helping employers to comply Many employers also

As of July 2021, the biggest change to employer supported visas in years is underway. 6 current visa classes, including Essential Skills work visas and various Work to Residence visas, are being replaced by a single new Employer Accredited Work Visa (EAWV). If you employ migrants, how prepared are you for these changes? Key dates: From 30 June

Pacific Legal Director  Richard Small was recently interviewed on TVNZ’s breakfast program  about the situation of work visa-holders both in New Zealand and those separated from loved ones offshore. A link to the article can be found here https://www.1news.co.nz/2021/05/23/advocates-criticise-immigration-reset-as-migrant-scapegoating-call-for-kindness/

On Thursday 13 April Richard Small Director and Principal Lawyer of Pacific Legal attended a meeting between the Chair and Deputy Chair and immigration lawyers.  The Immigration and Protection Tribunal deals with 4 main kinds of appeals:  Appeals against declined residence applications  Appeals by people without visas on humanitarian grounds  Appeals by residents facing deportation

The New Zealand Border Reopening   Right now, our border remains closed as it has been since March 2020. Many categories of visa are on hold and only New Zealand residents and citizens, their dependents, and a small number of others with a “critical purpose” are allowed entry. New strains of COVID-19 have led to

Pacific Legal Covid 19 Visa Update 9 October 2020: Important changes for onshore employer supported work visas and work to residence Post Covid19, change seems to be the only constant in immigration. Since our September update, there have been further changes.   There are likely to be further changes over the coming months. Check our website

Pacific Legal Covid 19 Visa Update 9 October 2020: Restrictions eased for partners and dependants from visa free countries: Voucher system for managed isolation Post Covid19 change seems to be the only constant in immigration. Since our September update there have been further changes.  There are likely to be further changes over the coming months. Check

Pacific Legal Covid 19 Visa Update 9 October 2020: Good news for some offshore work visa holders and their employers… but with some fish-hooks… Currently, people who are overseas cannot make a temporary visa application until 10th November 2020.  This is a 3 month suspension on applications from August 2020.  It is not clear whether it

Pacific Legal succeeds with critical Worker Applications for $50 million Te Arai Golf Course project: Welcomes Changes for Employers Over the past five months, when most employers were unable to get highly skilled staff into New Zealand, Pacific Legal has had the pleasure of achieving successful visa outcomes for the new Te Arai Links golf course

COVID 19 update 11 September 2020 On 30th August 2020, Auckland moved back to Covid 19 Alert level “2.5” while the rest of New Zealand to level 2. This will be in place until at least 16th September 2020. Our office is open… with safeguards Our Newmarket office has re-opened on an appointments-only basis for