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.

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!

Recently, this year’s first draw for expressions of Interest (EOI) for the category of Skilled Migrant took place. The draw on January 13, picked up a total number of 593 Expressions of Interest. Now that the selection of the EOI is over, the selected applications would be processed for preliminary check. The check will determine if the applicants would be issued with an invitation to apply for New Zealand residency.

Below are a few highlights of the draw taken place on January 13, 2010:

• A total number of 483 Expressions of Interest, with total points of 140 or more being selected this time.
• A total number of 110 Expressions of Interest, with total points of 100 or above, (however, below 140) being selected.
• Out of the 593 applications, a total number of 521 Expressions of Interest were from those who have New Zealand job offers.

The first Expressions of Interest draw of 2010 under the aforementioned category brought disappointment to many applicants who wished to immigrate to the Kiwi land. A total of 631 Expressions of Interest were not selected. These EOIs remain in the pool, for the applicants might have met the general requirements needed to immigrate to New Zealand, but they could not satisfy the criteria set for the Expressions of Interest pool selection.

Now, these applications will be in the pool for three months and may get selected in another draw in the near future. However, if the EOIs are not selected after three months, the applicants may require to submit Expressions of Interest again!

Want to know about the labor market in New Zealand? Indeed, you should have the knowledge about the same if you are planning to go and work in the country. Here is our little effort to help you in doing your homework in researching the New Zealand labor market, before you file application under the Skilled Migrant Visa category.

From a general viewpoint, it can be said that an average male employee in New Zealand works 37.9 hours in a week. Besides, he is being paid $1,010 per week for 1.2 hours overtime. The average female employee works 35.6 hours per week. She works for additional 0.5 hours to earn $816 a week.

Taking the statistics of salary ranges, over the last few years as basis, it can be assumed that finance, accounting, insurance, gas, electricity and water are the sectors in the country where employees earn some of the most attractive salary packages. Their average wages are twice as compared to that of the employees in retail and accommodation, restaurants or cafes sectors.

In New Zealand one can expect to get work if he/she has skills and experience. Or in other words, if you are expecting to get higher salary wages you must have a considerable amount of experience. A chartered accountant in cities like Wellington and Auckland earns from $105,000 to $110,000. The salary package of a corporate management candidate with experience can go over $100,000 per annum. Education sector is another sector where graduates are offered with attractive packages as per the country’s standards. An experienced school level teacher can expect to earn about $56,000 per annum. The yearly remuneration for university level professionals goes up to $73,000.

If you are intending to migrate to New Zealand and want to work with an employer there, here is a little information for you! There are a few basic things that all employers in the Kiwi land give importance on in order to allow migrants to work. You would require to meet all these prerequisites before you could get to work in New Zealand.

Below are the requirements that a New Zealand employer would expect you to fulfill, so that it can allow you to work:

• To be eligible to work in New Zealand, you should have good skills of English language, especially a good verbal communication skill.
• The relevant authority must approve your degrees and qualifications.
• You must hold positive feedback from your previous employer.
• Last but not the least, you must hold a lawful work permit/residence permit.

If you are capable of meeting the requirements and have all the essentials, then you can expect to work in New Zealand. However, there may be complications in certain cases. Therefore, it is always advised to seek the help of an immigration specialist in this regard!

Here is a brief info about the English language requirement:

With the amendments made to the New Zealand Immigration policy in the year 2007, the requirement of excellent English language skills has become vital for the applicants aspiring to work in the country. To start off, immigrants applying under Skilled Category need to obtain a minimum of 6.5 points in an IELTS test.

Another important thing you should remember is that along with excellent language skills, including fluency, New Zealand employers also give considerable emphasis on the accent!

For further information on the requirements of Skilled Migrant Visa Category, contact an Immigration and Visa Consultant!

Temporary Visas are a great option to consider, if you are unable or struggling to immigrate to New Zealand on permanent basis! There are a number of options that come under the Temporary Visa Category- Work Permit; Study Visa; and Working Holiday Visa. Let’s find out what are these visa options and what they may require you to meet as prerequisites.

• Work Permit: This temporary visa is for you, if a New Zealand employer is offering you with an employment opportunity. In other words, Work Visas are issued by the Immigration New Zealand to workers from overseas in order to meet specific skills shortages in the country. This visa is granted only for the duration as per the employment contract, or for maximum three years.
• Study Visa: If you are intending to take a short course in New Zealand and that may require you to stay there over three months, you need to obtain a Study Visa for you! This visa will also allow you to work up to twenty hours on a week. However, if you are going to take a short course that requires you to stay in the country for less than three months, then you will not be required to apply for a Student Visa, a visitor visa will work.
• Working Holiday Visa: Under this type of visa category, citizens from certain countries are given the opportunity to undertake short-term employment in New Zealand, while traveling the country. This visa is usually granted for one year, however, with an exception of two years for UK citizens. This doesn’t permit an individual to undertake permanent employment.

To know more about the various New Zealand visa options, contact an Immigration and Visa Consultant!

Intending to migrate to the land of Kiwis under the Active Investor Migrant Category? Well, in that case you can fly to the country through three types of visas. How about migrating under the Professional Investor Visa? But, before you start making your planner, let’s have a look at the requirements set by the Immigration New Zealand for applicants of this visa category.

Below are a few requirements to obtain the Professional Investor Visa:

• You must be 64 year-old or younger.
• You must have at least NZ$10 million to invest, out of which $2 million should be actively invested.
• You must meet the minimum English language standards.
• You must have good character and normal health.

Once an applicant is issued with the Professional Investor visa, he/she will need to invest the funds in New Zealand for a period of 4 years. Besides, he/she will need to spend a minimum period of 109 days each year in New Zealand during second, third and fourth years of the investment period.

The individual/individuals with approved visa are given conditional permanent residence, as per the Immigration Act 1987 (section 18A). Once the requirements, such as investment for the 4 years and spending 109 days of the year in New Zealand are fulfilled, the individual will be provided with unconditional permanent residence permit.

Individuals with approved Professional Investor Visas are also provided with Returning Resident’s Visas. A RRV allows an individual to travel in and out of New Zealand for 2 years as a New Zealand resident.

For more information on Professional Investor Visa Category, contact an Immigration and Visa Consultant!