Harmony Immigration

Harmony Immigration Visa and Immigration Service for NZ & Australia

Long before modern cities Australia was home to hundreds of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander nations. Their culture...
30/07/2026

Long before modern cities Australia was home to hundreds of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander nations. Their cultures are recognised as the oldest continuing living cultures in the world.

There is no single story or tradition that defines First Nations Australia. Each region has its own communities, histories shaped by land and people. What is true in one part of the country may differ in another.

You may hear terms such as “Traditional Custodians” or “Country.” In this context, Country is more than land, it reflects identity, ancestry, spirituality and responsibility.

Acknowledgement of Country recognises the First Nations peoples connected to that land and reflects a national effort to honour history. For newcomers, awareness is not about memorising customs. It is about recognising that Australia’s identity includes ancient cultures that continue to influence art, education, environmental practices and community life.

Understanding this broader context helps people settling easier. Want guidance on the cultural landscape beyond visas?
𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘂𝘀 👉 bit.ly/Book-a-Time-Slot
Or 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁 👉 www.harmony-immigration.com

Harmony Immigration - 𝗡𝗭 & 𝗔𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗮, 𝗧𝗼𝗴𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗲 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲


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𝗪𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗡𝗭 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝘀 𝗮 𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳-𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗼𝘆𝗲𝗱 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲? Under the new Skilled Migrant...
28/07/2026

𝗪𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗡𝗭 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝘀 𝗮 𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳-𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗼𝘆𝗲𝗱 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲? Under the new Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) visa not all work history is accepted for Skilled Work Experience and Trades and Technician pathways.

👉 Not all work experience can count
One important rule is that self-employment cannot count as work experience. A person may be genuinely skilled, they may have run their own building business, worked as an independent technician, taken private contracts or managed their own trade work for years. But under the new rules only directly relevant work experience is accepted.

👉 What this can look like in real life
You worked as a self-employed electrician overseas for 6 years. You now have a job offer and want to check the Trades and Technician pathway. You may think, “I have 6 years of experience, so I should be fine.” But if those 6 years of self-employed work will not count towards the work experience requirement for that pathway.

👉 Check before relying on self-employed work if you are:
🔹 a tradesperson who owned a small business
🔹 a contractor working through your own company
🔹 a freelancer with long project history
🔹 a skilled worker paid directly by clients

This is one crucial details that can change the whole plan. Annoying? Absolutely. Important? Very. Before you build your residence plan around your past work, check whether that experience can actually be used.

Need help checking whether your work history fits the new SMC pathway rules?
𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 a free consultation 👉 bit.ly/Book-a-Time-Slot
Or 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁 👉 www.harmony-immigration.com

Harmony Immigration - 𝗡𝗭 & 𝗔𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗮, 𝗧𝗼𝗴𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗲 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲


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𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝘂𝗴𝗲𝗲 𝗤𝘂𝗼𝘁𝗮 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗺𝗲 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗱𝗼 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗮 𝗽𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁? You may be able to travel to New Zealand using a Ce...
26/07/2026

𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝘂𝗴𝗲𝗲 𝗤𝘂𝗼𝘁𝗮 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗺𝗲 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗱𝗼 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗮 𝗽𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁? You may be able to travel to New Zealand using a Certificate of Identity for your first trip. After you arrive, eligible refugees can be issued a Refugee Travel Document.

From 21 July 2026, this will start with people aged 16 and over arriving under the Refugee Quota Programme.

👉 What is Refugee Travel Document
It is similar to a passport, a secure document recognised overseas that is issued after arrival in NZ to people whose refugee status has been confirmed. It can help to:
🔹 prove who they are
🔹 access services in NZ
🔹 travel internationally

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗸𝗲𝘆 𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲
🔹 Before arriving in New Zealand: a Certificate of Identity may be used for the first journey if the person does not have a passport.
🔹 After arriving in New Zealand: eligible refugees can be issued a Refugee Travel Document.

Need help understanding refugee travel documents or certificates of identity? We can help you with that.
𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 a free consultation 👉 bit.ly/Book-a-Time-Slot
Or 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁 👉 www.harmony-immigration.com

Harmony Immigration - 𝗡𝗭 & 𝗔𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗮, 𝗧𝗼𝗴𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗲 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲


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𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗛𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗮 ? You may have more time than you thought. Australia expanded the age window for passport h...
23/07/2026

𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗛𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗮 ? You may have more time than you thought. Australia expanded the age window for passport holders from Cyprus, Finland, Germany and the Republic of Korea applying for the Working Holiday visa subclass 417.

From 1 July 2026, eligible citizens from these countries can now apply from age 18 to 35.

Working Holiday visa is not only about travel, it can give the chance to:
🔹 live in Australia for a limited time
🔹 work short term while travelling
🔹 explore the country
🔹 gain new life and work experience

This change can open the door again if you thought you had missed the age cutoff.

Not sure if you still qualify? We can help clarifying that.
𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 a free consultation 👉 bit.ly/Book-a-Time-Slot
Or 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁 👉 www.harmony-immigration.com

Harmony Immigration - 𝗡𝗭 & 𝗔𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗮, 𝗧𝗼𝗴𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗲 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲


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Pacific Engagement Visa ballot is open, but only until 29 July 2026. This is for people from Pacific countries and Timor...
21/07/2026

Pacific Engagement Visa ballot is open, but only until 29 July 2026. This is for people from Pacific countries and Timor-Leste who may want to live and work in Australia permanently.

❗ Important to know ❗
You do not apply for the visa straight away. First, you must register. Once the ballot closes and if your name is chosen, you may then be invited to apply for the Pacific Engagement visa subclass 192.

👉 Simple steps:
🔹 check if your country is included
🔹 register before 29 July 2026
🔹 wait for the ballot result
🔹 if chosen, follow the visa application steps

If you miss the closing date, you may miss this year’s chance. Not sure if you can register for the Pacific Engagement Visa ballot? We can help you check the steps.

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 a free consultation 👉 bit.ly/Book-a-Time-Slot
Or 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁 👉 www.harmony-immigration.com

Harmony Immigration - 𝗡𝗭 & 𝗔𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗮, 𝗧𝗼𝗴𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗲 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲


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𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗱𝘆 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝘁𝗼𝗼. You might know you want to study in New Zealand, but not yet know the exact...
19/07/2026

𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗱𝘆 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝘁𝗼𝗼. You might know you want to study in New Zealand, but not yet know the exact subject you will choose later. This is the kind of real life situation the Pathway Student Visa, also called PSV, is trying to support.

From 20 July 2026, the 𝗣𝗦𝗩 𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗮, if those courses are part of a planned study journey.

👉 Helping students in three practical ways:
🔹 More choice to year 12 and 13 students
No more picking your exact university course in advance, just confirm your study level and which school you'll attend.

🔹 Lower level study options
Studies at Levels 1 to 4 are supported, including English, foundation courses (preparing for higher-level study) and vocational training (job-focused courses tied to trades).

🔹 More time for English study
Some students moving into Levels 1 to 8 may have up to 30 weeks to complete English study before starting the next course.

What we think? Study decisions are not always simple. Some secondary school students are still choosing their future direction and some need time to improve English. This update can give those students more wiggle room to plan.

Need help understanding how the PSV may fit your situation? We are here for you.
𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 a free consultation 👉 bit.ly/Book-a-Time-Slot
Or 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁 👉 www.harmony-immigration.com

Harmony Immigration - 𝗡𝗭 & 𝗔𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗮, 𝗧𝗼𝗴𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗲 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲


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𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗽𝘀 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝗿𝗲𝗳𝘂𝗴𝗲𝗲𝘀 𝘀𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗡𝗭? Yes, and this option is now permanent. The Community Organisation Refug...
16/07/2026

𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗽𝘀 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝗿𝗲𝗳𝘂𝗴𝗲𝗲𝘀 𝘀𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗡𝗭? Yes, and this option is now permanent. The Community Organisation Refugee Sponsorship Category visa (CORS), gives communities a formal way to help refugees start a new life in New Zealand.

👉 What does this mean?
From 3 July 2026 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗽𝘀
🔹 must be approved and follow clear rules
🔹 can sponsor refugees and help their families settle into New Zealand life
🔹 must provide settlement support for two years

𝗥𝗲𝗳𝘂𝗴𝗲𝗲 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀
🔹 must also meet the CORS visa requirements

𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱
🔹 50 places in 2026/27
🔹 200 places each year after that

This visa gives some refugees another way to be considered for settlement in New Zealand but it is not automatic. Groups must be approved first and applicants must meet the rules.

Want to understand how CORS works, or whether your organisation may be able to help?
𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 a free consultation 👉 bit.ly/Book-a-Time-Slot
Or 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁 👉 www.harmony-immigration.com

Harmony Immigration - 𝗡𝗭 & 𝗔𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗮, 𝗧𝗼𝗴𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗲 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲


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Sponsoring a worker in Australia? Check the new salary amount before you apply. From 1 July 2026 the 𝗿𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝘀𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗮𝗺𝗼...
14/07/2026

Sponsoring a worker in Australia? Check the new salary amount before you apply. From 1 July 2026 the 𝗿𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝘀𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗮𝗺𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 for some employer sponsored visa applications. The affected visas:
🔹 Skills in Demand visa 482
🔹 Employer Nomination Scheme visa 186
🔹 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa 494
🔹 some DAMA pathways

👉 The numbers
🔹 The main salary amount increased to AUD 79,423. This can affect the 482 Core Skills option, 186 employer sponsored visas and 494 regional employer sponsored visas.
🔹 There is also a higher salary amount of AUD 146,576 for the 482 Specialist Skills option.

If an employer wants to sponsor a worker, the 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝘀𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗺𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗺𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗿𝘂𝗹𝗲. It must also be fair for that job in Australia. A salary that was enough before 1 July 2026 may not be enough for a new sponsorship application after this date.

Need help checking whether your salary, role or employer sponsored options fits your plan?
𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 a free consultation 👉 bit.ly/Book-a-Time-Slot
Or 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁 👉 www.harmony-immigration.com

Harmony Immigration - 𝗡𝗭 & 𝗔𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗮, 𝗧𝗼𝗴𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗲 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲


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Want to buy or invest in a NZ business? Immigration has changed some rules for the Business Investor Work Visa to give m...
12/07/2026

Want to buy or invest in a NZ business? Immigration has changed some rules for the Business Investor Work Visa to give more options when buying or investing.

👉 What changed no 6 July 2026
🔹 Franchise businesses can now be considered as long as they meet the Business Investor Visa rules such as the business type, investment amount, ownership and employment requirements.
🔹 You can now buy through a New Zealand company or trust. This may give investors more choice in how they set up the business purchase.
🔹 Money or assets gifted to you may be used for this visa category but the person giving it must have earned that money or those assets legally.

But this does not mean every business or every source of money will be accepted. You still need to check the rules before you buy or invest.

Have any of these changes caught your interest?
𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 a free consultation 👉 bit.ly/Book-a-Time-Slot
Or 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁 👉 www.harmony-immigration.com

Harmony Immigration - 𝗡𝗭 & 𝗔𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗮, 𝗧𝗼𝗴𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗲 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲


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Applying for a NZ Temporary or Student Visa? If your visa application needs a police certificate, you must include it wh...
09/07/2026

Applying for a NZ Temporary or Student Visa? If your visa application needs a police certificate, you must include it when you submit your application. This means:
🔹 do not apply first and send the police certificate later
🔹 a receipt showing you requested a police certificate is usually not enough

If a police certificate is required and you leave it out, Immigration 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝘂𝘀𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 to ask for it. Your application may be declined or your visa may be granted for a shorter time.

People from Fiji, Hong Kong and Israel are exceptions because the authorities send police certificates directly to Immigration New Zealand. In these cases, you can upload proof that you requested one.

Need help checking whether your visa application needs a police certificate?
𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 a free consultation 👉 bit.ly/Book-a-Time-Slot
Or 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁 👉 www.harmony-immigration.com

Harmony Immigration - 𝗡𝗭 & 𝗔𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗮, 𝗧𝗼𝗴𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗲 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲


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Address

Auckland
0612

Opening Hours

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Tuesday 9am - 6pm
Wednesday 9am - 6pm
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