Emigrating to New Zealand!

   This Chapter “Making the Move” from the book Living Abroad in New Zealand by Michelle Waitzman, talks about all the various visas you can apply for.  They include, student visas, working holiday visas, work visas and long term business visas.  Student visas are required if you are going to reside in the country for more than three months.  You must pass a health and character test (no criminal record), prove you’ve been accepted by a school and prove you have enough money to support yourself (typically $10,000 per year).  Each student visa only lasts a year, so it must be renewed annually.  Also, you are only allowed to work part-time (20 hours max) while in the country, and must prove that you will have valid medical insurance while you’re there. Once approved you must attend classes and receive passing grades.  Working holiday visas are granted to people who are going to do temporary work, NOT permanent jobs.  It is required that you have $4,200 for the trip and you can only do it once.  You also must register with the Inland Revenue Department to set up your income tax.  You cannot bring children and your passport must be valid for an additional three months after you plan to depart from the country.  Work visas are the most common, but you must have an employment offer for at least six months and not all job offers will make you eligible to live in New Zealand, it depends on what sorts of jobs they need at the time.  The types of jobs that are included are the ones listed on the Long Term Skills Shortage list, which is online and always up to date, if the employer is accredited to hire workers from overseas or if you have a skill in the arts (sports or acting ect.)  The long term business visa allows you to start your own business in New Zealand.  You must have a good business plan, along with the health and character requirements just to receive a nine month work permit.  During those nine months you will set up your business, so that you can apply for the long term business visa.  To apply you have to have proof of your business, audited accounts, GST records and other documents from your business.
               
This book was REALLY helpful because it described in detail the numerous different ways to enter the country.  I enjoyed reading it and having this more in depth look at what it takes to emigrate will be essential for when I make my decision between New Zealand and France, and it was encouraging when she said “the New Zealand Immigration Service would rather bring you in than keep you out”.  After reading this chapter I feel as though I am much more informed and that this information will help me very much, not only for this project but also later in life.

Waitzman, Michelle. “Making the Move.” Living Abroad in New Zealand. 1st ed. Berkeley, CA: Avalon Travel, 2008. 82-87.  Print.