Recently, the New Zealand government has rolled out two new retirement visas. Here is a little detail of the visas:
Parent Retirement Visa: This visa category enables the New Zealand Immigration to prioritize high net worth people, who are already contemplating to migrate to the country under the Family Category. As per the this category, the visa holders must invest at least an amount of $1 million after migrating to New Zealand over four years.
Temporary Retirement Visa: This visa category is for those retired people who intend to spend some time in New Zealand. However, this too requires them to meet the condition that they invest there, as well as repay the government for the health and welfare costs. A temporary retiree will be required to invest $750,000 over two years. Retirees under this category can be able to renew their permits up to the time when they could meet different criteria, including the investment funds and health insurance.
According to the spokesperson for Labor’s Immigration, Pete Hodgson, the idea of a retirement visa plan was in fact considered a decade ago, but dismissed considering the scheme would not work and fearing high costs involved in it. But, the country’s current Immigration Minister had decided to give the scheme a green signal.
Now, if some people out there are contemplating a plan to immigrate to New Zealand after retirement, here are two more options! However, these visa categories are meant for rich retirees, and this is what for which the plan already drawing criticism from all around! Let’s see New Zealand immigration’s new retirement visa plan brings what changes to the country’s immigration scenario.
Christchurch is on those cities in New Zealand that offers excellent opportunities to students. The best thing about this city is that it has an active lifestyle, apart from beautiful sights for delight. If you people out there contemplating to immigrate to New Zealand for study purposes, you can definitely consider Christchurch, for it has a number of renowned institutions.
Christchurch is the main city in the Canterbury region of New Zealand. Christchurch University and Lincoln University are the two of the most famous educational facilities in the region that offer a wide range of courses and programs. Both these universities provide excellent atmosphere for international students. Christchurch University is located at the edge of the city. This university is one of the most advanced educational facilities in the whole country, with topnotch research amenities and a very friendly campus. You can find its considerable portion of students is from outside New Zealand.
Lincoln University is another famous destination for international students. The main attraction of this university is its relaxed setting and countryside lifestyle, apart from the quality of education. It hosts students from over 60 countries across the globe.
Christchurch is one of the most affordable places in New Zealand. International students take the advantage of this fact and flock to the city. Apart from offering educational facilities, the city provides a great deal of recreational activities, including skiing, hiking and climbing. Because of the fact that it offers scope for many forms of entertainment, such as shopping, dining and sight seeing, Christchurch makes a nice tourist place as well.
When you intend to go and study in a foreign country, it is necessary to indulge in little research and keep up with the things that may come handy once you are landed in that country. Especially, when you are going to study in that country, you are bound to do your homework properly and that may include a lot of work.
Foremostly, if you have made your mind to study in New Zealand, be little proactive! To start with, you must start the application procedure a few months, say eight to twelve months before the set date of admission. You can get the application for the university or institution that you are contemplating to join by requesting an application form the University websites. Since, today most education institutions have their online presence, you will not find it difficult to get an application form over the Internet.
One of the most important things you should ensure when applying for any course and institute/university is that the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) accredits the both. You can perform assessment of you qualifications by three different ways, namely Pre-assessment Results (PAR); International Qualification Result (IQA); and Overseas Study Assessment (OSA). The NZQA lets you enter your qualifications and determine if they are listed on its database or not.
The academic calendar for majority of institutions in New Zealand begins in February, which ends in the month of November. If you are all set to apply for any institution in New Zealand, start contacting an Immigration and Visa Consultant for the immigration part!
Well, when you think of New Zealand, what are the things that strike you mind at the first place? The country’s natural, spectacular and breathtaking scenery must be the first thing that comes to your mind! Since the country has always been popularized by the global media as one of the most beautiful places on the earth, we all very easily tend to think it as a place to visit to enjoy its beauty. But, New Zealand has much more to offer, apart from its natural beauty!
With its hospitable and welcoming inhabitants, New Zealand makes a suitable place to be in for seasonal visitors, as well as migrants. A large number of overseas immigrant flocks to this beautiful country for study and work purposes. It has been increasingly appreciated as an amazing study destination, with endless opportunities. International students find the country a favorable destination for a number of reasons. Apart from the quality of education, it’s the country’s people that play an important role in attracting overseas visitors. New Zealanders show a great deal of interest in people and that is why visitors feel more than welcome, no matter for what purpose they travel the country!
New Zealand offers a great environment for students, which is evident from the number of overseas studying in its universities. Every year, these institutions welcome large number of overseas students, especially from the UK, Australia, the US, and South Africa.
New Zealand is a well-known education provider as far as the quality is concerned. It has an excellent education system that offers the most advanced facilities. The country’s universities and other institutions provide endless numbers of courses on different fields of education.
If you are one of the aspiring students who is intending to pursue some course in New Zealand, contact an Immigration and Visa consultant to help you through the whole process of immigration!
New Zealand appeals to a wide range of visitors- be it tourists, entrepreneurs or students. A lot has been told and written about the beauty of this country, so now let us focus one of the most important aspects of our lives, that is Education. New Zealand is one of those countries, which is known for offering world-class education in a number of fields. So, if you are contemplating to immigrate for your studies, you have all the reasons to consider the Kiwi land as your destination! Here is why you should study in New Zealand:
There are a lot of things in New Zealand to explore, including its academic options and educational opportunities. Courses are available for college-level students to vocational students to professionals. Apart from academic courses, these universities focus on recreational activities and personal development. Moreover, studying in New Zealand makes a great way to explore the country!
The country is known to have a favorable environment for local as well as international students. In fact, New Zealand is increasingly becoming more popular as compared to other famous study destinations like the US, the UK and Australia. New Zealand welcomes thousands of foreign aspirants each year from all over the world with open arms. The country has overseas students mostly from the UK, the US, Australia, India, South-East Asia, Japan, and North Asia.
That New Zealand has advanced and world-class facilities pertaining to education, students are catered with the kind of education that helps them cope with the global environment.
New Zealand has increasingly been preferred as a study destination by international students over the recent years. Since, it is technically advanced and offers topnotch educational facilities; it makes sense for you to consider the country as one of your study destinations, alongside the US, Australia and the UK.
Those who have the perception that the US, UK and Australia make the best study destinations, let me remind you that there is New Zealand in the race too. The country provides great education opportunities for students, including overseas students. It caters to almost all requirements of students, when it comes to pursuing subjects and courses. This is what that makes New Zealand one of the most appreciated and recognized study destinations in the world. Now, let’s have a look at some of the top educational institutions there:
University of Auckland: This one is often touted as the best educational institution in the Kiwi land. The university offers a number of faculties- Education, Arts, School of Business, Engineering, Law, Medical and Health Sciences, Theology, National Institute of Creative Arts and Industries are a few to name. Aspiring students are needed to clear the entrance test, as well as English proficiency test in order to be able to get into the university. Besides, the students are given admission on the basis of marks.
University of Waikato: A few faculties of this university include, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences; School of Education; School of Maori and Pacific Development; and Waikato Management School. Students are being qualified to study in this university on the basis of marks and language skill in English.
University of Otago: This educational institution offers a wide variety of courses, ranging from Business to Health Sciences; from Humanities to Sciences. Apart from having a good academic background, aspiring students should have good proficiency in English language.
Massey University: Under this university, there are colleges on Creative Arts; Humanities and Social Sciences; Business; and Sciences. Some of the well-known departments include Journalism, Aviation, Food and Nutrition, Marketing, Psychology, Design, Defense, Fine Arts, Language Studies and much more. Like many other universities, the admissions are based on English language proficiency and entrance test.
The Victoria University of Wellington: This famous university offers an array of courses. Overseas students are required to qualify the entrance test, along with English language test- IELTS or TOEFL, whichever is applicable in order to get into any course.
University of Canterbury: This University offers almost every course in all educational aspects. Admissions are based on marks in entrance test, English language proficiency, as well as academic performance in high school.
Lincoln University: Aspiring students must have good command over English skill to be qualified to study in this university. Courses offered by this leading university include Bio-Chemistry; Business Management; Information Technology; Accounting; Communication; Animal Sciences; Engineering; Tourism; Ecology; Law; Environment Studies; Micro-Biology and many more.
Manukau Institute of Technology: Here courses are offered in departments, such as Nursing and Health Sciences; Business; Consumer Services; Education and Social Sciences; Logistics; Engineering; Visual Arts and more.
AUT University: This university with courses in Engineering; Education; Creative Technologies; Communication; Sports and Recreation; Law; Computing and Mathematical Sciences and more caters students from across the globe. Aspirants should have proficiency in English language, apart from meeting academic standards in order to get admission into this university.
These are some of the leading educational institutions in New Zealand. Most of them offer most advanced courses in almost every subject. However, these institutions are known to set higher standards when it comes to English language skill. Thus, apart from having a good academic background, you may need to work on your ability in the said language!
New Zealand has shown positive signs as far as Immigration is concerned! The annual Immigration growth touched an all time high in the last five years with the arrival of permanent migrant outshining departures by 21,253 in the year 2009, confirmed Statistics New Zealand.
The statistics are having a positive impact on the Kiwi economy. Alan Bollard, Governor of Reserve Bank confirmed that NZ economy is gradually coming out of the economic catastrophe.
The growth in immigration might fuel consumer spending and accelerate a demand for housing in the country. Also, fewer citizens are leaving the country as compared to last few years. Close to 41,600 citizens left NZ to settle abroad last year, 19,160 fewer than in 2008. The figures clearly show that departures are falling at a gradual level.
Recession had a huge impact on NZ tourism, while other parts of the world were not left untouched too! Promotion of the Kiwi Land as a prospective travel destination for Aussie people also enhanced the number of visitors coming to NZ in a major way. The visitors from Australia rose by 11%.
Reports also show that 341,000 people came to NZ in December, as compared to 322,000 in December 2008. More arrivals would mean aiding spending in an industry, hence enhancing the NZ economy. The news is surely a positive ray, not only for the NZ citizens but for all those immigrants who are planning to move to New Zealand.
According to a survey released by Asia New Zealand Foundation, Asia would play a critical role in New Zealand’s economy in the upcoming future. The stats depict that 81% believe Asia is important to the NZ’s future while 40% out of them think it to be immensely important. The reports from 2008 stated that 75% would believe that Asians would play a critical role for the Kiwi future.
The report also said that more Kiwis think that free trade agreements would enhance the Kiwi economy; the stats went up from 74% to 78% as compared to 2008. Talking about those who think that import from Asia would favor the NZ economy, the number enhanced from 58% to 63%.
Richard Grant, executive director of the foundation elaborated that the survey was based on questions that had connections with recession, economic crisis and its impact on Immigration. It forced the respondents to think about the state of Kiwi Land in the upcoming years. In addition, they were asked questions on various facets that would affect the country, particularly Asian tourisms, free trade, to name a few.
Trade Minister, Tim Groser said that Asian was never so critical economic factor for the Kiwis. Ethnic Affairs Minister Pansy Wong said that the outcome is really pleasing. The reports clearly signify that Asia and NZ have a lot in store for each other as far as the future years are concerned.
In this era of globalization, Immigration is playing a critical role in enhancing the economies of various countries!
Towards the end of the 2009, New Zealand’s home prices hit record high, thanks to the shortage of properties for sale. As per the the figures presented by the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand, the country’s typical house price was $360,000 in the month of December, which was an increase of $5,000 from the previous month. Reportedly, its typical house price in December 2008 was $328,500.
As a result of the skyrocketing home prices, lesser number of sale transactions had taken place in New Zealand. The REINZ reported that, a total number of 4,957 houses were sold in December, a significant slip from the previous month. In November, 6,056 sale transactions were made in the Kiwi land. But, December 2009 witnessed an increase of 15 percent in house sales from the same time of 2008. However, it was not that high to match the record house sale rate in the same time of 2006, when sales were up almost 40 percent.
Let’s have a look at the highlights of the REINZ’s figures:
In December, New Zealand’s house prices were 9.6 up as compared to one year ago. A year ago, recorded median house price was $328,500.
December’s house price was 2.2 percent higher than December 2007. Reportedly, in 2007 New Zealand’s median house price was $352,000.
A total number of 4,957 sale transactions were made in December 2009, up from December 2008’s figures which is 4,302.
Reportedly, it took an average number of 33 days to sell a house in December 2009, while in December 2008, it needed 45 days on an average.
If we compare the figures of median house prices in twelve regions of New Zealand from 2008 and 2009, it comes clear that almost every region witnessed a rise in prices, barring one which on the contrary recorded a drop in prices, while another did not see any change in the prices!
New Zealand’s demand for professionals is at all-time high; employers are re-advertising their vacancies; more than 40,000 New Zealanders still unemployed.. what’s happening? Yes, the New Zealand job market is currently facing a shortage of skilled professionals in many areas. The job market is in need of skills. So, if you are looking forward to get a job in the Kiwi land, you can definitely reap the advantages, given you have the talents, plus the right attitude.
New Zealand employers are of late more concerned about the right combination of skills and attitude. The bottom-line is that a dynamic attitude is needed to grab the opportunities that the country offers. For your information, right now, there is a range of job vacancies in New Zealand where immigrants would definitely fit. The country is at the moment generating more skilled, as well as unskilled jobs as compared to a long time in the recent past.
However, it remains true that if you are experienced and skilled, you are most likely to get a job that you wished for. Therefore, it makes sense to do a job, even if it is not the ideal job, earn some experience and then look for the ideal one! With a bit of patience, along the right attitude you could grab the desired job opportunity in the land of Kiwis.
Here are a few things for your reference:
New Zealand employers often expect their applicants to have work experience, especially in their country.
Since most of the corporations in New Zealand are small in size, you may find it difficult to get promoted. However, it can be achieved with job change!
In order to help yourself immigrate to New Zealand, do consult an Immigration and Visa Consultant! Happy job hunting!
