Newsflash

Exciting New Changes to the Skilled Migrant Category from August 2026 As part of the Government’s Going for Growth programme, the Government has now announced some new changes to the Skilled Migrant Category. These changes come into effect in August 2026. More information will be provided mid-next year. Two new residence pathways There will now […]

The existing rules In February 2024, we explained the basic rules for new residents buying a home. Under the Overseas Investment Act, people who have been residents for 12 months and have actually been here for 183 days in that time (6 months) can apply to purchase a home to live in. See our blog

In our previous blog, we explained the challenges of the current entrepreneur visa, including long delays at each stage and high decline rates. We also mentioned that a review is ongoing. On 27 August, the Minister of Immigration and Immigration New Zealand announced the first outcome from that review. The new Business Investor visa will

Starting 6 July 2025, New Zealand has made it easier for citizens of Pacific Islands Forum countries to visit: Visitor Visas will allow multiple entries over a period of 24 months. Stay up to 6 months in any 12-month period, and 9 months in any 18-month period. Standard visa conditions still apply. If your passport

The Government has announced that from 18 August 2025, 10 new occupations will be added to the Green List Work to Residence pathway, aiming to help address skill shortages across New Zealand, particularly in the construction and manufacturing sectors. Eligible trades professionals who have a job or job offer in one of the listed occupations,

On 9 July 2025, the entire Pacific Legal team attended an evening with Hon. Erica Stanford, the Minister of Immigration. This event was hosted by The Law Association of New Zealand at the JW Marriott Hotel. Richard is a member of the Association’s Immigration and Refugee Law Committee. It was a pleasure to mix with

On 5 March Immigration New Zealand released more details about the new Growth and Balanced Investment categories effective from 1 April 2025. The final instructions are still pending but we now have a fairly full picture. There are exciting changes.  For an overview see here. New investment categories Growth and Balanced Two simplified investment categories

Just updating our February 2025  blog On March 10, 2025, New Zealand introduced major changes to the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) simplifying any requirements.  Employers and employees on existing AEWV visas need to comply with current requirement unless and until the visa is varied. Median Wage removed  Under the AEWV and Specific Purpose Work