Wise Trust Immigration - Immigration and International Education

Home
New Zealand
Auckland
Wise Trust Immigration - Immigration and International Education

Wise Trust Immigration is an immigration and international education consultancy. Note: We are Licensed Immigration Advisers, not exempt lawyers.

We serve clients worldwide, offering expert guidance on all immigration matters and overseas study.

11/03/2026

Good news:

The visitor visa fee for nationals of Pacific Islands Forum countries traveling to New Zealand will be temporarily reduced. Starting 1 June 2026, the total cost will drop from $216 to $161 (including the $41 immigration levy) for a 12-month period.

This discounted fee applies only to applicants applying from outside New Zealand. It does not apply to Parent Boost Visitor Visas or Group Visitor Visas.

Even before this change, Pacific visitors paid lower fees than many other nationalities requiring visitor visas and are exempt from the International Visitor and Conservation Levy. By comparison, visitors from other visa-required countries typically pay $441 in total for a visitor visa.

The reduced fee will be available to visitors from the following Pacific countries and territories:

American Samoa

Federated States of Micronesia

Fiji

Kiribati

Nauru

Palau

Papua New Guinea

Republic of the Marshall Islands

Samoa

Solomon Islands

Tonga

Tuvalu

Vanuatu

This change complements other initiatives supporting Pacific travel to New Zealand, such as longer visa durations and a trial visa-free pathway for Pacific visitors arriving from Australia.

The 12-month reduction period will allow the government to evaluate its impact before deciding whether to make the lower fee permanent.

05/03/2026

🚨 Major Updates to New Zealand Skilled Migrant Residence Pathway (SMC)

Immigration New Zealand has released more details about upcoming changes to the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) — the main pathway to residence for skilled migrants.

These changes aim to retain skilled workers, address labour shortages, and simplify immigration settings.

🔎 Key updates you should know:

1️⃣ New Trades & Technician Residence Pathway
A new pathway for skilled trades workers and technicians. Applicants must:
• Work in an ANZSCO skill level 1–3 trade or technician occupation
• Hold a Level 4+ relevant qualification
• Have 4 years relevant experience, including 1.5 years in New Zealand earning at least the SMC median wage

2️⃣ Introduction of Red & Amber Occupation Lists
To manage immigration risks and ensure pathways target genuine skill shortages:
• Red List occupations – not eligible for the new pathways and must meet stricter SMC requirements.
• Amber List occupations – eligible for the Skilled Work Experience pathway but require additional experience and wage thresholds.

3️⃣ Simplified Wage Requirements
Migrants only need to meet the SMC median wage at the time they start their skilled job and maintain that rate when applying for residence.

4️⃣ Extra Points for New Zealand Qualifications
From August 2026, qualifications completed in New Zealand will receive 1 additional point compared with overseas qualifications (with some exceptions).

5️⃣ Longer Validity for English Tests
Applicants with recognised occupational registration will have English test results valid for up to 5 years.

6️⃣ New Registration Pathway for Accountants
Accountants who are members of CPA Australia and can work as Qualified Statutory Accountants in New Zealand will be eligible under the SMC pathway.

7️⃣ AEWV Extension Option (From 2027)
Migrants who are up to 12 months short of the required skilled work experience may be able to extend their Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) to complete the requirement and apply for residence.

📅 Implementation: Late August 2026

📌 What this means:
The SMC system is being updated to make immigration pathways clearer, prioritise genuine skills, and help New Zealand retain skilled workers for the long term.

Please leave a message or feel free to contact us if you would like to understand more!

11/11/2025

🌏 Global Workforce Seasonal Visa

Duration: Up to 3 years, if the first-year employment agreement covers at least one season.

Condition: Visa holders must spend a minimum of 3 months outside New Zealand each year.

Applicant requirements:

Must have a job offer in approved roles such as sheep scanners, shearers, winemakers, or ski instructors.

Must show at least 3 seasons of relevant experience within the past 6 years.

Must meet health and character requirements.

Employer requirements:

Job check required.

No advertising or Work and Income engagement needed.

🌾 Peak Seasonal Visa

Duration: Up to 7 months.

After completing this period, workers must spend at least 4 consecutive months outside New Zealand before returning.

Applicant requirements:

Must have a job offer in specified roles such as meat and seafood processing, calf rearing, or wool handling.

Must show at least 1 season of relevant experience in the last 3 years.

Must provide proof of acceptable health insurance for job offers longer than 3 months.

Employer requirements:

Must advertise the role and either:

Engage with Work and Income in good faith, or

Hold a Peak Seasonal Visa endorsement from Work and Income.

Job check required.

05/11/2025

🎉 Success Story! 🎉

Huge congratulations to our client for a smooth visa approval — all done from overseas with no previous travel history!

The supporting partner is currently studying for a Master’s degree in New Zealand, and with our professional guidance and meticulous document preparation, the visa was approved in less than a month! ⚡️

Proof that expert advice makes all the difference!

29/10/2025

🌏 Case Study Series: New Zealand Visitor Visa Reversal Story

✈️ [Refusal → Approval in 12 Days!]

Many people think getting a New Zealand visitor visa is easy —
but this family’s experience shows it’s not always that simple!

A family of three confidently lodged their own visitor visa applications,
only to receive a refusal letter on 30 September 2025.

They were shocked — everything seemed complete,
so why the refusal?

🕕 On 6 October, they came to us at Wise Trust Immigration for help.
We immediately carried out a full case review —
- analysed the refusal reasons,
-reviewed the whole application process,
-prepared a stronger set of supporting documents etc.

📤 On 16 October, we resubmitted the new application.
💥 Just 12 days later — approved!
No additional documents were requested.

💥Keys to success:
1️⃣ Identify the exact refusal points and respond precisely.
2️⃣ Maintain clear logic and a complete chain of evidence.
3️⃣ Address any “sensitive background” (e.g. military service) proactively.

💬 Many people assume a visitor visa is “the easiest,”
but it is not the case sometimes. If you have a previous refusal, military background, or unclear financial evidence,having a professional team can make all the difference.

📍 Case handled by Wise Trust Immigration
— turning a refusal into approval, one case at a time.

09/10/2025

【Wise Trust Immigration Case Sharing】
🎓 Study visa refused twice (Canada, May & September 2025)
With our professional guidance:
✅ Completed all documents in 1 week
✅ New Zealand study visa approved within 2 weeks
✈️ Congratulations on fulfilling your aviation dream!
Thank you for your trust — professionalism makes success faster 💼

02/10/2025

Congratulations to our valued client! An accredited employer work visa approved within 2 weeks! ✌️We would like to provide a bit of information about this visa:

The Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) is currently the main temporary work visa in New Zealand that allows migrants to work for an employer who has been officially accredited by Immigration New Zealand (INZ).

The AEWV is designed to ensure employers hire locally first, and only bring in migrants when needed, while still giving migrants a pathway to longer-term work or residency.

Contact us for your AEWV applications😄!!!

16/09/2025

NZ Employer Accreditation – Approved Overnight!

No more long waits! One of our clients just got their NZ Employer Accreditation approved overnight. Fast results backed by professional guidance.

Speed + Accuracy = Success. We helped a client secure NZ Employer Accreditation in less than 24 hours – Approved Overnight!

Choosing the right team makes all the difference. Our client’s accreditation was submitted yesterday… and approved today!

29/08/2025

Congratulations to the applicant! Partnership Work Visa approved in 12 days!

28/08/2025

✨ Real Case Share｜Turning Refusal into Success!
Many students faced refusals when applying for student visas to Australia or the United States. But after choosing New Zealand and working with Wise Trust’s professional team:
📌 Tailor-made study & migration planning
📌 Comprehensive preparation of visa documents
📌 Approved in 1-2 weeks

So far, Wise Trust has maintained a 100% approval rate for student visas!

💡 Faced with a refusal? Don’t worry—choose Wise Trust and let us help you achieve your overseas dream!

Address

Level 3, Candida Building 4/61 Constellation Drive, Mairangi Bay
Auckland
0632

Telephone

+64291229586

Website

http://www.wisetrustimmigration.com/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Wise Trust Immigration - Immigration and International Education posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Wise Trust Immigration - Immigration and International Education:

Want your business to be the top-listed Law Practice in Auckland?