Category: Latest News

What is the difference between a resident visa and a permanent resident visa?

Answer: Travel conditions. A permanent resident visa – commonly known as “PR” or a “PRV” – has lifetime travel conditions, while a resident visa has limited travel conditions.

In almost all cases, Immigration New Zealand will NOT issue you a PRV as your first resident visa.

Your first resident visa will include travel conditions, which may be for two years, five years or even 10 years (for people who are approved under the Parent Category).

If your first resident visa has travel conditions for two years, you will need to wait for two years before you can apply for a PRV. People approved residence under the Parent Category need to wait 10 years before they can apply for a PRV.

Someone who is approved a PRV can leave New Zealand for as long as they would like and will always be able to return to New Zealand, so long as their PRV has been transferred to their most recent passport.

Before you travel overseas, you must check your resident visa to ensure that your travel conditions will be valid for the whole trip. If your travel conditions expire while you are outside New Zealand, you may not be able to return on time, so it is always a good idea to apply for a PRV before leaving New Zealand, if you qualify for one.

Even if you don’t qualify for a PRV, you may be able to extend the travel conditions on your resident visa by applying for a “variation of travel conditions” (VOTC).

There are five different ways to qualify for a PRV … it can be quite hard to work out whether you meet those rules.

Contact Visa Matters today for help!

A PPI letter from Immigration New Zealand (INZ) is a “potentially prejudicial information” letter, also known as a “letter of concern”. When INZ sends you a PPI letter, it gives you notice of harmful information which may affect the outcome of your application.

If you receive a PPI letter, it means that INZ is considering declining your application. Obviously, you should take this letter seriously.

A PPI letter allows the client to comment on INZ’s concerns about their application, before INZ decides the application.

You can respond to a PPI letter by explaining the matters which INZ is concerned about, and also by providing evidence to support your explanation.

INZ’s letter won’t use the term “PPI”, but it will talk about “fairness” and giving you the chance to comment before INZ makes its decision. A PPI letter usually says that if you don’t reply, INZ will decide based on the information it holds.

An RFI letter from INZ is a “request for information” letter. This simply asks you to provide more information or documents, so that INZ can decide your application.

Be careful though … INZ sometimes combines a PPI + RFI letter (meaning they just send one letter containing PPI and RFI) to clients advising that their application does not meet requirements for approval and may be declined. INZ will normally decide your application once you respond to such a letter.

Visa Matters can answer PPI or RFI letters on your behalf – contact us today.

Navigating the complexities of immigration policies and visa applications can be a daunting task. With constantly changing regulations, piles of paperwork, and high stakes, the process can overwhelm even the most organised and savvy individuals. This is where the role of immigration advisors becomes invaluable. 

Particularly in New Zealand, a country that has a diverse range of visa options and stringent immigration policies, immigration advisors can be your expert companion on your journey to a new life.

What is an Immigration Advisor?

An immigration advisor is a licensed professional who provides advice and guidance on visa applications, immigration policies, and relocation processes. Unlike general legal advisers, immigration advisors specialise in the complexities of immigration law and are often licensed by relevant authorities to offer this specialised service.

Why Do You Need an Immigration Advisor?

Expert Guidance

Immigration advisors offer a wealth of experience and knowledge about immigration processes and policies. They are well-versed in the intricacies of different types of visas — be it student visas, work visas, resident visas, or more specialised categories. They can provide expert advice tailored to your specific situation, thus increasing your chances of a successful application, and aiding you in the process from temporary visa application to residence.

Time-Saving

The immigration process involves a substantial amount of paperwork and deadlines. Missing a deadline or failing to provide the correct documents can jeopardise your entire application. Immigration advisors can streamline this process for you, ensuring that all i’s are dotted and t’s are crossed, thereby saving you valuable time.

Risk Mitigation

Immigration advisors are skilled in identifying potential risks that could affect your application. They can develop strategies to mitigate these risks and guide you in gathering the necessary evidence and documents to support your case.

Stress Reduction

Immigration is a life-changing event that comes with its own set of stresses and anxieties. Having an expert to guide you can alleviate some of this stress, giving you peace of mind that you are in capable hands.

Types of Visas and How an Adviser Can Help

Work Visas

New Zealand offers various types of work visas based on skills, qualifications, and specific job offers. An adviser can help you identify which category best suits your situation and can guide you through the accreditation process that some employers require.

Student Visas

New Zealand is home to some of the world’s leading universities, and a student visa can be a stepping stone to longer-term residency. An immigration advisor can help you understand the different categories of student visas and guide you through the application process, ensuring that you meet all academic and financial requirements.

Visitor Visas

Whether you are travelling for tourism or business, visitor visas have their own set of regulations. Advisers can help you understand the terms of your visa and what you can and cannot do while on a visitor visa. They can also assist with extensions and changes to your visa status, if necessary.

Resident Visas

Becoming a resident of New Zealand is a significant milestone, and the application process is rigorous. Advisers can help you navigate through the Skilled Migrant Category or other pathways to residence, ensuring that your application is robust and meets all criteria.

Special Categories

New Zealand also offers visas under special categories, like partnership and parent categories. Each of these has unique requirements and processes, and an adviser can offer specialised advice in these areas.

Complex Cases

Immigration advisors can be particularly helpful in complicated situations such as visa rejections, appeals, or any form of scrutiny from Immigration New Zealand. They can guide you through the appeal process, help you understand your rights, and represent you in proceedings.

The Unparalleled Value of Expert Immigration Guidance

The immigration journey is fraught with complexities and challenges. An immigration advisor serves as a knowledgeable companion to guide you through this journey, offering expert advice tailored to your specific needs and circumstances. In New Zealand, where immigration policies are strict and continuously evolving, having a licensed immigration advisor can make all the difference in the success of your immigration journey.

Partnering with Visa Matters: Transforming Your Immigration Aspirations into Reality

If you’re planning a move to New Zealand and find yourself overwhelmed by the immigration process, Visa Matters offers expert guidance. Established in 2017, our team of licensed immigration advisors brings decades of combined experience in the New Zealand immigration industry. 

Whether your plans involve work, study, or permanent residence, we offer tailored advice and representation that navigates you through the complexities of the immigration system. We stay updated on the latest changes in immigration policy, ensuring that you’re always a step ahead in your application process. 

With our steadfast advocacy and comprehensive understanding of immigration requirements, we aim to provide an exceptional level of client service, transforming your dream of residing in New Zealand into a tangible reality.

The Accredited Employer Work Visa, which is often shortened to AEWV, is a popular choice for skilled migrants who wish to live in New Zealand. This relatively new temporary visa allows skilled migrants to work for accredited employers in New Zealand for a set period of time. After their visa period is up, AEWV holders may also be eligible to apply for permanent New Zealand residency if they meet certain requirements.

If you’re interested in working in New Zealand and meet the criteria of this visa, then you may be able to apply for and be granted an AEWV. But first, you should fully understand what this visa is, how you can get it and what it allows you to do.

What Is The Accredited Employer Work Visa?

This visa was introduced in July 2022 and replaced the Essential Skills Work Visa. Similar to the visa it replaced, it allows workers from other countries to come and work in New Zealand if they have skills that are needed here. 

To be eligible for this kind of visa, you must:

• Be offered a job by an accredited employer in New Zealand which has been approved a “job check” by Immigration New Zealand for this position.

• Meet the skill requirements for the position offered. These are the qualification and/or work experience required by INZ’s job check approval.

• Have a valid passport.

• Meet the typical health and character requirements for New Zealand visas.

You must also pay an application fee when you apply for the Accredited Employer Work Visa, which is around $750.

The maximum length of stay for this particular visa started at 3 years. However, from the 27th of November, 2023, the maximum length will be extended to 5 years.

How Can I Apply For An AEWV?

The application process for any kind of visa can be complex, so it is important to do things properly to improve your chances of being granted a visa. This process typically takes several weeks to complete.

Before you start, consider these tips for navigating the AEWV pathway:

• Start Planning Early. The AEWV application process can be confusing and time-consuming. If you want to apply for this visa, then start planning early and do things thoroughly. This will give you enough time to gather all of the required documentation and to submit your application before the deadline.

• Seek Professional Advice. A professional immigration adviser can help you throughout the Accredited Employer Work Visa application process. They can advise you on the eligibility requirements, the application process and the supporting documentation you need to provide. Understanding what you need to do to apply for a visa application can be difficult if you don’t know much about visa matters, so expert help is invaluable. 

• Be Prepared To Wait. The application processing time for this kind of visa is usually around 50 weekdays. Although, the processing time can be longer or shorter depending on circumstances. Be prepared to wait patiently for your application to be seen and processed.

The specific steps involved in applying for an AEWV are as follows:

1. Find An Accredited Employer. To be eligible for this kind of visa, you’ll need to find an employer that is officially accredited and can hire workers with this visa. Not all New Zealand businesses are accredited. 

2. Receive A Job Offer. Once you have found an accredited employer, you will need to receive a job offer from them.

3. Apply For An Accredited Employer Work Visa. Next, you can go through the application process and apply for your visa either online or through mail. You will need to submit an application form, supporting documentation and pay the application fee.

As mentioned, the entire application process can be time-consuming, so it’s important to do everything correctly the first time you do it. Working with an immigration advisor is a smart choice because they’ll help you do things right without making mistakes or forgetting important details.

4. Wait For Your AEWV Visa Application To Be Processed. Once you’ve successfully submitted your application, you must wait for it to be processed. 

5. Receive Your AEWV. Once your application has been processed and hopefully approved, you will be issued your AEWV. You can then start planning your move to New Zealand. 

Where Can I Learn More About My New Zealand Visa Opportunities?

This visa is a great choice for skilled migrants who want to live and work in this beautiful country. It offers a path to residency in New Zealand and a number of other benefits. If you are interested in applying for an AEWV, we invite you to speak with us at Visa Matters. 

A work visa is a fantastic opportunity for skilled people like you to come and help improve New Zealand with your qualifications. Of course, you’ll need to fill out your application correctly and provide the right documents if you wish to be granted your own visa. Our team would love to help you in any way that we can. 

If you’d like our help, or if you have any questions for us, you can reach our team on 0800250200 or send us a message through our contact page.

Start an amazing new chapter in your life with assistance from Visa Matters.