21/07/2022 - Is speaking English really important for offshore investors who want to move here? - Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

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Question from Heather du Plessis - Allan Drive NewstalkNZ on air:

Is it important for offshore investors who move to New Zealand to be able to speak English? 

I’m asking this because Stuart Nash has now made it harder for investors who want to bring their money here to pass the English language test.

So beforehand, we offered two investor visas.

Only one of them required an English language test. The other one: nothing at all 

And the test – called an IELTS test – required a score of 3. 

Now all investors need to pass an English language test. 

And they have to score five.

Why?

Why do investors need to pass a harder test?

But why do investors need to be able to speak English at all? 

I can understand if we require certain migrants like doctors to be able to speak English because that’s life or death stuff and communication is essential.

But it makes no sense to require investors to speak English.

Because all we need them to do is put their money into growing Kiwi businesses.

Whether they can speak English or not is unimportant.

The US and Australia don’t require an English language test and we can’t afford to put obstacles like this in the way of investors.

We need their money. 

We need people like that to move here.

Already, we’re struggling.

Last year we had 400 spots set aside for investors – only 176 were approved.

This new investor category, even the Minister admits, is going to make it so much harder that we end up with even fewer wealthy migrants coming here.

So again, is speaking English really that important when we all know it’s money that talks?

Source NewstalkZB on air

20/07/2022 - New system to incentivise rich residency-seekers to invest in local companies

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Wealthy foreigners seeking residency in New Zealand will soon be incentivised to invest directly in local companies rather than in shares or bonds.

The government unveiled an overhaul of the investor visa settings on this afternoon, replacing two categories with a new pathway.The new system means applicants will have to invest at least $15 million over three years or just $5 million if the funds go directly to a New Zealand business.

Investors will also have to spend roughly four months over four years in the country, about a month longer than now.

Economic Development Minister Stuart Nash said the old visa categories attracted more than $12 billion over the past decade but much of it was passive investment in shares and bonds.

He said the new Active Investor Plus visa would attract "active and high-value migrants" who could offer their international expertise to local businesses.

"Overall, the visa changes are a win-win for New Zealand and migrant investors. Investors secure an opportunity to invest in smart and innovative New Zealand businesses that have the potential to be globally successful, and Kiwi businesses gain valuable skills, connections, and capital."

'Double standards' of immigration settings

Read more: 20/07/2022 - New system to incentivise rich residency-seekers to invest in local companies

20/07/2022 - New visa category created for 'high-value' investors

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The Government is changing up investor visa requirements, creating a new category and scrapping two current pathways.

Economic Regional Development Minister Stuart Nash said the Active Investor Plus visa "will attract active and high-value migrants who will bring their international expertise to help New Zealand businesses to grow, which increases local employment and directly benefits the economy".

He said the old investment visa categories attracted over $12 billion but "often resulted in passive investment in shares and bonds rather than directly into New Zealand companies, meaning a missed opportunity to attract more active investors who can deliver real benefits to our economy over a long period of time".

"Investors secure an opportunity to invest in smart and innovative New Zealand businesses that have the potential to be globally successful, and Kiwi businesses gain valuable skills, connections, and capital. This will make New Zealand more competitive in the international marketplace and take our businesses to the next level."

People will need a minimum investment threshold of $15 million, or the weighted equivalent, which could see people eligible if they intended to make direct investments of $5m.

Read more: 20/07/2022 - New visa category created for 'high-value' investors

20/07/2022 - Update Investor category

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Read more: 20/07/2022 - Update Investor category

20/07/2022 - The EWV explained

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Explantion of the Entrepreneur Work Visa application 

The Entrepreneur Work Visa Category (BB):

The Entrepreneur Work Visa is a temporary work visa which may lead to a Residence application under the Entrepreneur Residence Visa  category (BH) 

The objective of the Entrepreneur Work Visa is to contribute to NZ's economic growth by enabling experienced business people to grow or establish a high growth and innovative business with export potential (BB1).

The Entrepreneur Work Visa is a points based type application, that requires a minimum of 120 points (this may change from time to time). 

Points are obtained through (BB3.10);

Read more: 20/07/2022 - The EWV explained

20/07/2022 - Current Post Study Work Visas

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Post-Study Work Visas or Open Work visas for students who studied in NZ; 

• A 1 Year Post-Study Work Visa

When you study a Level 7 non-Bachelor/non-degree qualification and when the study is linked to a Green List job, and the study is at least 30 weeks in NZ (NOT including any distance learning).



When you study any Post-Graduate Diploma or Bachelor qualification, and when studied 30 
weeks in NZ (NOT including any distance learning).

Post study work rights for non-degree students who have studied for Green List relevant qualifications will only allow the migrant to work in that occupation, though they can switch employers and work for less than the median wage.

• A 2 Years Post-Study Work Visa

Bachelor when studied 60 weeks in NZ (NOT including any distance learning).

• A 3 Years Post-Study Work Visa

Bachelor when studied 90 weeks in NZ (NOT including any distance learning).



Masters Level 9 (both course-work and research) and PhD Level 10, and when studied at least 30 weeks in NZ (NOT including any distance learning).



When you study at Level 9 and 10, you may bring your family with you.


20/07/2022 - Current Pathways to Residence

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There are currently three Pathways to Residence which may lead to Permanent Residence visas and, if so required, onto Citizenship;

1. Skilled Migrant Category
2. Green List occupations - two-year work to residence OR ‘fast track’ straight to residence
3. Paid twice the median wage - two-year work to residence 

1. SMC Skilled Migrant Category

This category is expected to re-open late 2022.


The SMC is a point-based system that recognizes skills, age and qualification and experience. It does not require employer support or any specific job, it is purely focussed on the migrant and their unique possible contribution to New Zealand.



A thorough and detailed calculation of the SMC points is essential to determine your eligibility and possible success, especially the recognition of experience and qualifications achieved overseas are pivotable.



SMC applications may be made from outside New Zealand or from within New Zealand.

2. Green List Occupations - Two year Work-to-Residence

Applicants can be within NZ or offshore.



This Green List is a list of jobs for which AEWV may be issued, with work-to-residence rights. Minimum qualifications or experience are applicable or, in some cases, a minimum income is required.



You may then apply for residence after two years of work in the job for which your AEWV was issued.



The employer is not required to advertise the vacant position.



Your partner will have Open Work rights.

2. Green List Occupations - Fast-Track Residence

Applicants can be in NZ or offshore.



This Green List is a list of jobs for which AEWV may be issued, with close to immediate application rights for residence applications. Minimum qualifications or experience are applicable or, in some cases, a minimum income is required.



According to INZ, these work visa are issued within 30 days.



The employer is not required to advertise the vacant position.

Your partner will have Open Work rights.

Fast track means here that you apply for a work visa say in July, you then could apply for residence in September.



3. Occupations paying twice the median wage - Two-year Work to Residence 

Applicants can be within NZ or offshore.



All other jobs of AEWV holders that are paid at twice or more the median wage are eligible for a two year work to residence visa

You may then apply for residence after two years of work in the job for which your AEWV was issued.



The employer is not required to advertise the vacant position.



Your partner will have Open Work rights.

20/07/2022 - Current Work Visa Options under AEWV

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The current work visa options are under the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) scheme.

The Accredited Employer Work Visa is an employer-supported work visa in three stages.

1. The employer needs to be accredited (ALL employers wishing to employ a migrant are required to be accredited), and
2. An approval for a Job Check to confirm and ensure no locals (NZ Citizen and or Resident) are available, and
3. A suitably qualified migrant

There are three types of AEWV's available;

• Occupations paying twice the median wage - leading to a two year Work to Residence

Accredited Employer Work Visas may be issued for jobs with newly accredited employers, and after confirmation that no locals are available for the role, a Job Check approval will be issued from Immigration NZ.

AEWV employees must be paid at least $27.76/hr. Some lower paid jobs ($25/hour) are allowed for up to two years in specific industries and job roles, and then require a one-year stand-down offshore.

 For residence from AEWV, please assess the options under the SMC Skilled Migrant Category visa.

 Partners need to qualify for their own work visa, or they may receive work rights of less than 30 hours/week.

• Green List Occupations - leading to a Fast-Track Residence

Applicants can be within NZ or offshore.

The Green List is a list of jobs for which AEWV may be issued, with close to immediate application rights for residence. Minimum qualifications or experience are applicable or, in some cases, a minimum income is required. 

Work visa are issued within 30 days.

 Employer advertising is not required. 

Apply for a work visa from July, apply for residence from September. 

Partners have Open Work rights.

• Green List Occupations - leading to a two year Work-to-Residence

Applicants can be within NZ or offshore.

The Green List is a list of jobs for which AEWV may be issued, with application rights for residence. Minimum qualifications or experience are applicable or, in some cases, a minimum income is required. Employer advertising is not required. 

Apply for residence after two years in the occupation as per your AEWV. 

Partners have Open Work rights.

13/07/2022 - Concerns migrants left with few options as special visas close

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Migrant workers may have fewer options for a future in New Zealand when the Government's special one-off residency visa closes at the end of the month.

Concerns migrants left with few options as special resident visas close

The Government's one-off residency visa closes at the end of the month

The 2021 Resident Visa was designed to give those workers filling our critical labour shortages certainty here.

Read more: 13/07/2022 - Concerns migrants left with few options as special visas close

30/06/2022 - Update Immigration New Zealand

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2021 Resident Visa category closing

The 2021 Resident Visa category closes at 11:59 pm on 31 July 2022.

We encourage those eligible to submit their applications before then. Since the residency pathway opened in December 2021, we have received more than 110,000 applications which include more than 200,000 people. We have processed 29,953 applications.

New Zealand has welcomed 2,898 health workers, 4,243 construction workers, 1,191 primary industry workers, and 425 teachers.

Read more: 30/06/2022 - Update Immigration New Zealand