Immigration

Immigration

Skilled Migrant Work Visa

If you have qualifications and/or work experience in an employment category that is considered “skilled” in New Zealand, then you may be able to apply for residence as long as you can also satisfy the requirements. This category uses a points scale to determine whether in the first instance a migrant can make a successful application.

Talk to us about:

• The criteria, as some aspects are not as straight forward as they may seem.
• The common pitfalls that can prevent applicants from making a successful application.
• Our advice as to your particular circumstances to make sure you have the highest possible chance of success.

Immigration

Essential Skills Work Visa

If you have been offered a full-time job in your field of expertise you may be able to apply for an Essential Skills Work Visa. However, it is not as simple as being offered the job and simply applying for the visa. Your employer must have first checked whether there are any New Zealand residents and citizens available to fill the role before you may be offered the job.

We can help you with:

• Ensuring you understand the necessary requirements that you and your employer need to meet.
• Providing guidance to employers as to how to successfully assist applicants gain employment.
• Advising as to how to progress to the next stage of residence.

Immigration

Study to Work Pathway

It can be a daunting situation finishing study as a migrant and not knowing how to transition into the work stage of your life in New Zealand. It can be even more difficult if you are not aware of what exactly you need to apply for.

Talk to us about:

• The timeframes involved, how you should apply and what your long term options to work in New Zealand are.
• The most appropriate option based on your qualification and general circumstances.
• Formulating a plan to assist you in achieving residence, if that is your goal.

Immigration

Parent Category Visa

Parent Residence Category

Overseas parents who have resident or citizen children in New Zealand may be able to join their children as residents, depending on the circumstances.

Parent Retirement Category

Parents are still able to move to New Zealand under the Parent Retirement Category which involves showing to Immigration New Zealand that they are in possession of money to support themselves and invest over a number of years.

Our immigration lawyers can assist you with:

• Evaluating your situation and providing advice to make sure that any application you wish to make has the highest chance of success.
• Advising and keeping you up to date as to how the changes to immigration policy will affect your eligibility and success.

Immigration

Work to Residence

After you have worked in your job in New Zealand for at least 2 years on a temporary visa, you might be eligible to apply for residence. There are two main pathways by which you can apply – the Long Term Skill Shortage pathway and the Accredited Employer Pathway.

Talk to us about:

• Whether either of these pathways are possibilities for you and the specific criteria you would need to meet.
• Helping you through the application process.
• If you are not eligible, we can evaluate what other options might be available to you.

Immigration

Investor Category Visa

The investor category visas are for the more affluent migrants who are thinking about investing large sums of money in New Zealand. If that is your situation then you may qualify for residence under the investor categories.

Talk to our immigration lawyers about:

• The potential your proposal has.
• Sound legal guidance in relation to the application criteria, whether it be in respect of the Investor 1 or Investor 2 category.

At Morrison Kent we can also provide you with long term business support and guidance if necessary, to make sure you receive comprehensive legal advice. See our business page.

Immigration

Entrepreneur Work and Residence Visa

You may want to migrate to New Zealand to establish, or purchase into and work in, your own business. If that is the case then you will need to make an application for an
Entrepreneur Work Visa and later, an Entrepreneur Residence Visa.

Our immigration lawyers will assist with:

• Preparing a credible case for your business.
• Compiling all required supporting documentation.
• Preparing and lodging your application.
• Carrying out all necessary communications with Immigration New Zealand.

In addition, Morrison Kent is well equipped to provide legal advice in relation to any business matters which you may require in setting up or buying into a business. See our business page.

Immigration

Partnership

Often migrants want to bring their partner with them to New Zealand. Depending on the visa, a partner can typically be included in the principal applicant’s application. It may also be the case that you are the partner of a New Zealand resident or citizen and want to apply based on that partnership for either a temporary or indefinite visa.

Our immigration lawyers can help you with:

• Advice as to the most applicable pathway in your circumstances before preparing and lodging the required documentation.
• Carrying out the necessary communications for you and your partner with Immigration New Zealand.

Immigration

General Immigration Advice

At Morrison Kent our immigration lawyers offer advice in relation to all visa categories. We do not apply a one size fits all approach. We evaluate your situation and needs, explain to you whether there may be an issue and provide advice as to how best to proceed. Our advice is up to date and comprehensive.

As well as providing advice in relation to New Zealand Visas, we can also assist you with any issues you might have in relation to obtaining immigrant and non-immigrant visas to other countries.