Tips to Help you Succeed when Applying for New Zealand Resident Visa
If you are planning to make application for a New Zealand resident visa, you should do so to the New Zealand Immigration Service. When doing the application, you can ask the New Zealand Immigration Service to send you the application pack or you can download the pack from the website. It is the NZIS that handles immigration issues such as work permits, visas, limited purpose permits and study permits. As required by the law, you will be required to get a resident status if you want to migrate to the country. When you attain the resident status, you will be entitled to work, study and live in the country indefinitely.
If you make the application for residence from inside New Zealand while on a temporary visa or permit and you are your application is granted, you will get a residence permit. In case you made the application overseas, you will get the residence visa that gives you the opportunity to enter the country and be given a residence permit when you have arrived in the country.
Fee to be paid
Once your New Zealand resident visa application is approved, you might be required to make payment for a fee before it can be granted.
Requirements under the different residence categories
The exact requirements that you must meet before you get the residence change often. This happens because the area is affected greatly by the policies that are set in place by minister of immigration. Here you can apply under one of the following different categories.
General skills category
This is one of the categories that you can apply for the New Zealand resident visa. This is a category that operates on a point basis. In case you score a lot of points, you will be considered accepted for residence. However, whether you are truly granted residence, it is at the discretion of the New Zealand migration services in the country. Some of the major areas that are assessed include work experience, your age during the time you make the application, qualifications and genuine employment offers. Other factors that are considered include whether there is a New Zealand family that is ready to sponsor you and the total assets you are ready to bring with you to New Zealand.
Business category
This is a category that is available for people who will contribute to growth of the economy in the country. It has many categories such as entrepreneur and investor.
Family category
The family category is usually for people who are in a serious and stable relationship with a New Zealand citizen or another resident who sponsors your application. It is also available for those who have their immediate family members who are New Zealand citizens or residents who live in the country permanently. The category is also for dependent children on New Zealand residents or citizens.
Family quota category
This category allows for a quota of people to be selected by ballot every year to be considered for New Zealand residents or citizens. To be considered under this category you should be sponsored by your child, brother, parent or sister.
Refugee family quota category
This category works for those who have been sponsored by a family member who have been granted New Zealand residence on the basis of refugee status and living permanently in the country. You can also apply under this category if your sponsor’s registration is from a pool of people who have been registered as sponsors under refugee family quota category.
Health requirements
To prove that you and your members of the family accompanying you are in good health status, you need to undergo through medical examination. You must complete the NZIS’s medical and fill the x ray certificate form. These certificates should not be more than three months old when you make the application for the residency.
Provide police certificates to establish that you have a great character
It is important that you prove that you and any of your family members have good character. You must provide certificate of good conduct from the police for anyone who is above seventeen years and above. You should have police certificates from the country where you are a citizen and any other police certificates from any other country that you have visited in for one year or more in the last ten years.
Reasons to be denied New Zealand resident visa
You will be denied New Zealand resident visa in case you have been convicted of a crime or spent more than five years in prison. You also be denied the visa if you have been convicted and sentenced for more than one year at any time in the last ten years. If you have been deported from New Zealand or any other country. If the authorities believe that there is enough reason that you may be associated with any criminal groups or you might pose danger to the country.
Minimum English language requirements
In order for your application to go through, you should meet minimum English language requirements. The exception will only apply if you make the application under the business categories or general skills.
Should you be able to support yourself in New Zealand?
When making determination of your application, the NZIS they will consider if you have enough means to support yourself for a duration of two years. However, if your case is that of hardship, the government will help you with certain benefits.
Can you make appeal in case your application is denied?
When your application has been denied, you have the right to make an appeal. You should make appeal forty two days from the time that your application is refused. The residence review board will consider whether the wrong policy was applied by the immigration officer or whether there are special circumstances or conditions that were not considered when your application was being reviewed.
When you begin new life in New Zealand, it is advisable for you to consult a lawyer. The lawyer will inform you of all the rights that you will have as a resident and how to live safely in the country.