Emigrate to New Zealand and prolong your stay
Many people come to New Zealand for a vacation and love it so much that they want to stay on. This is no surprise as NZ is world renowned as one of the safest and friendliest places to live, as well as for having one of the most unique and beautiful environments, with a plethora of outdoor activities to choose from. As one of the most popular tourist destinations, this international appeal extends further to individuals and families who wish to make the move to New Zealand permanently.
In accordance with immigration policy, there are various categories under which entry may be applied for, including the skilled migrants, business and investment, family quotas, refugee status, and other miscellaneous categories relating to the relationships New Zealand has with its Pacific neighbours. However, the skilled migrant category is by far the main pathway to residency in New Zealand, ensuring that those people entering the country have the desired skills, experience and knowledge to further contribute to the growth of the economy and the creation of employment opportunities.
The skilled migrant category works under a point system, whereby points are earned on the basis of your qualifications, experience and job offer in New Zealand. The process by which this is applied for can be quite confusing to the new arrival, with various stages in the application process which must be strictly adhered to. At the first step, an expression of interest must be submitted, and upon obtaining the required points, the application will be entered into a pool of suitably qualified individuals. Immigration New Zealand will then screen the applications, only choosing the highest qualified, to invite to apply for residency. At this stage, requests are made for all documentation relating to the application, including passports, medical examinations, certificates and other documents verifying your qualifications and experience. The application is then assessed and a decision to grant or deny residency made.
Good luck to anyone considering the permanent move to NZ. You should also ensure you have adequate travel insurance if you are heading to NZ.