A1 Immigration Services Ltd

19/05/2019

I read the news item below without surprise. All applications are slow to process, no matter the type of visa, or where it processes. We do live in difficult times and INZ are the gatekeepers for entry to NZ, no one disputes the need for the work they do, BUT I know applications I would normally see processed much faster are now slow to process and INZ officers seem to introduce their own requirements, and do their own interpretation of instructions. Officers should not be interpreting instructions, in fact their job is to apply the instructions. My colleagues and I spend a lot of time responding to INZ enquiries we would not have recieved a year or more ago. So what is happening, is this a way to reduce the number of visas approved? We know that our Depuy Prime Minister campaigned last election for much reduced numbers, could it be that this is the way to achieve those numbers down to what he wanted to see? If it is, he must know the voters will not accept this situation in the next election, businesses are starting to close, costing New Zealanders jobs because they cannot get enough staff from offshore to maintain their business i.e. Madam Woo recently in the news closed the doors to one of their restuarants for this reason, I know talking to employers there are more to follow and some high tech companies are considering setting up offshore. How does that help our economy, or NZ jobs, or even work toward a better environment? Offshore business do not have to n meet eny of the employment or environemewnt laws we have in NZ.

SIT chief executive Penny Simmonds says slows visa process has cost the ITP sector about $36m.

08/05/2019

Aged care nurses, teachers and builders added to immigration lists in new regionalised format.

01/05/2019

Immigration New Zealand says there's no evidence people on Parent Category Visas are taking advantage of social assistance.

17/04/2019

Employers and immigration lawyers are warning that a plan to make it harder for companies to exploit migrant workers is a step too far.

15/04/2019

Immigration New Zealand is not allocating case officers to some visa applications for more than five months as it tries to meet new government targets on which residents it wants.

10/04/2019

The first New Zealand Private Training Establishment (PTE) has been convicted of immigration fraud in the Auckland District Court and fined $40,000.

04/04/2019

Businesses say they are missing out on staff and immigrants are facing long waits for news as delays to visa processing continue.

04/03/2019

Planned changes to work visas and residence will take place soon. Check this link: https://www.mbie.govt.nz/have-your-say/consultation-on-a-new-approach-to-employer-assisted-work-visas-and-regional-workforce-planning - have your say by 18 Match 2019

We are undertaking public consultation on proposed changes announced by the Government to the employer-assisted temporary work visa system. This consultation will inform recommendations to Cabinet on final proposals and implementation.

04/03/2019

Parent Residence Category
The Parent Residence Category remains closed. The Government is currently considering if it will reopen the category and what the eligibility criteria will be. A final decision is expected in the first half of 2019.

17/01/2019

Making it easier for regions and industries to get the workers they need to flourish is at the heart of proposed changes to temporary work visas released for consultation today, says Immigration Minister Iain Lees-Galloway.

11/11/2018

POST STUDY VISA CHANGES
Changes to post-study work rights have been made to ensure post-study immigration pathways for international students are fit-for-purpose and to reduce the likelihood of exploitation, while minimising losses of genuine students. The changes are as follows:
 The Employer-Assisted Post-Study work visa has been removed.
 A three-year post-study open work visa is available for bachelor’s degree or above qualifications.
 A one-year post-study open work visa is available for students studying New Zealand Qualification Framework level 4 to 6 and non-degree level 7 qualifications, with an additional year available for Graduate Diploma students whose qualification and work is needed for registration with a professional or trade body.
 A time-bound, two-year post-study open work visa is available for students studying level 4 to 6 and non-degree level 7 qualifications outside Auckland (study must be completed by the end of 2021).
Transitional provisions
To ensure no current tertiary students and post-study work visa holders are disadvantaged by the changes, the following transitional provisions have also been introduced:
 Students who held a student visa or were in the process of applying for a student visa to study towards an eligible qualification as at 8 August 2018 will be able to apply for:
o a three-year post-study open work visa on completion of their qualification(s)
o a two-year post study open work visa if they have previously held a one year open post study work visa, on completion of their qualification(s)
 Holders of a one year post-study work visa will be eligible to apply for a further two-year open post-study work visa.
 Holders of a Post-Study Work Visa-Employer Assisted can apply to vary their visa conditions to remove the occupation, employer and location.
Work visa eligibility for partners of students
People studying level 8 qualifications will need to study a qualification listed in an area on the Long Term Skills Shortage List to be eligible to support their partner for an open work visa.

11/11/2018

Changes to Visa applications 26 November 2018. New thresholds are to be introduced: The Essential Skills work visa and Skilled Migrant Category resident visa remuneration thresholds have been updated. These thresholds are updated annually. The new thresholds are based on the New Zealand median salary and wage rate of $25 per hour (up 2.9% from last year), equivalent to $52,000 per annum for a 40 hour per week job. The thresholds are:
 Skilled Migrant Category
o The threshold for gaining skilled employment points will be $25 per hour for jobs at ANZSCO skill level 1, 2, or 3, and $37.50 per hour for jobs at skill level 4 or 5.
o The threshold for bonus points for high remuneration will be $50 per hour.
 Essential Skills
o The mid-skilled remuneration threshold will be $21.25 per hour for jobs at ANZSCO skill level 1, 2, or 3, and or $37.50 per hour for ANZSCO skill level 4 or 5 roles.
o The high-skilled remuneration threshold will be $37.50 per hour.