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Changes for family sponsored visas in New Zealand

Written by lisa on May 17, 2012 · Leave a Comment

New immigration family policies will help New Zealand attract and retain skilled workers and ensure that their family members can settle well and are self sufficient, it is claimed.

Immigration Minister Nathan Guy said that the changes are being made to give priority to migrants who can make a real contribution to New Zealand. He also pointed out that the changes will eventually save the taxpayer around $40 million a year.

‘There will be a new two tier process for the parents of New Zealand citizens and residents who want to migrate here. Applications from parents who have higher income sponsors, or who bring a guaranteed income or funds, will be processed faster than other applications,’ he explained.

‘Parents whose English is poor will need to pre-purchase tuition, and the period during which sponsors are required to meet certain obligations for their parents’ support will extend from five to 10 years.

‘As a result of these policy changes, many skilled migrants who have residence here can sponsor their parents and will receive a quicker decision with less red tape,’ he added.

The Sibling and Adult Child Category for new migrants will close immediately Tuesday 15 May) which will reduce the number of unskilled migrants who find it more difficult to get jobs and are more likely to end up on a benefit.

Research has shown that only 66% of people who gain residence as siblings and adult children had a job after 18 months, despite a job offer being required for residence.

The existing Parent category will also close today and the new two tier category will be available from late July.

The Dependent Child Category and associated residence requirements will be amended.

The criteria are being relaxed so that young adult children aged 18 to 20 may be eligible for residence, even if they have a job in their home country, provided they are single, have no children and are included, or were declared, in their parents’ residence application.

Previously adult children in that age group were not able to be included in their parents’ residence application if they had a job in their home country. Those aged 21 to 24 will still only be eligible to migrate if they can show that they are financially dependent.

There are also changes to the sponsorship period. Sponsorship includes a responsibility on the New Zealand sponsor to ensure the sponsored person has accommodation and maintenance for a specified time while in New Zealand. Sponsors are also responsible for the costs of outward travel if repatriation or deportation is required.

The sponsorship term for parents will initially remain at five years, but the government has decided it will amend the Immigration Act 2009 at some time in the future to extend the sponsorship term for family sponsored migrants to 10 years. The timing for this amendment has not been decided.

Ray Clancy

15 May 2012

http://www.expatforum.com/new-zealand/changes-for-family-sponsored-visas-in-new-zealand.html

Categories: Immigration Policy - Tags: , ,

New Zealand committed to biometric data sharing after first year success

Written by lisa on May 16, 2012 · Leave a Comment

Wellington (New Zealand): New Zealand immigration authorities Tuesday said they are committed to an international biometric checking system that had proved successful in checking cross-border crime after its first year of operation.

Immigration New Zealand (INZ) said its officers had checked the records of about 440 people using the international fingerprint checking system linked to a biometric information base.

Of that number, 101 matches were received, including people who were matched by more than one country, and 37 matches provided vital identity fraud information, concealed criminal history or immigration fraud intelligence, said a statement from INZ.

The system is managed by the Five Country Conference (FCC), which is made up of the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, the United States and Canada.

“International data sharing on identity and criminality with trusted partners is the way of the future. It improves the integrity of the immigration system, speeds up decision making and strengthens the security of our border,” INZ identity program manager Arron Baker said in the statement.

“We need to maintain parity with our partner’s immigration and border security systems to keep New Zealand safe in a world where risks are constantly changing.”

Each case of immigration fraud had the potential to cost New Zealand an estimated 30,000 NZ dollars (23,357 U.S. dollars), and in many cases much more, he said.

The FCC partnership allowed INZ to use resources more effectively and reduce downstream costs, such as long and complex case investigations and welfare fraud by people attempting to exploit the immigration system.

While the system was based on the free flow of information between the five countries, strong privacy and data security protections were built into every step of the process, he said.

The new Immigration Global Management System (IGMS) would see further improvements to INZ’s identity management systems, enabling real-time biometric checks internationally as well as introducing face biometrics and biometric alert-lists.

The government is investing 75 million NZ dollars in the IGMS, which will allow more visas to be applied for online. It will be introduced from next year and completed by 2015.

15 May 2012

http://www.newstrackindia.com/newsdetails/2012/05/15/118-New-Zealand-committed-to-biometric-data-sharing-after-first-year-success-.html

Categories: New Zealand Immigration - Tags: , ,

Australia immigration boost to fill skill shortage

Written by lisa on May 16, 2012 · Leave a Comment

As reported by Work Permit, Australia’s government has announced plans to raise the number of spots available for the 2012–13 migration programme in order to fill skills gaps in Australia.

Chris Bowen, Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, said the rise of 5000 spots—from 185,000 to 190,000 positions—is in response to significant skills shortfalls in certain sectors of Australia’s patchwork economy.

The country’s 2012–13 migration programme has 129,250 spots for skilled employees, 60,185 family spots, and a special eligibility flow of 565 positions.

It is vital that workers are able to live with their family members, something that is recognised by the rise in available spots, said Bowen. Partners and children are often great contributors to the nation’s productivity, he added.

Regional visas will continue to receive high priority in order to tackle regional skill shortages and support regional migration.

Around 16,000 spots have been reserved to guarantee that regional areas can fill skills shortages and develop local economies.

Bowen said that skilled workers are moving more and more to growth regions where there is labour demand. These people are complementing Australia’s domestic labour force, rather than competing with it, he said.

15 May 2012

http://www.emigrate.co.uk/news/20120515-2958_australia-immigration-quota-boost

Categories: Skills Shortage - Tags: ,

New Zealand computer error incorrectly approves hundreds for visa

Written by lisa on May 16, 2012 · Leave a Comment

Hundreds of New Zealand visa applicants were accidentally approved for visas following a computer error last week. The Silver Fern Visa scheme is limited to 300 visas annually, but a computer glitch at Immigration New Zealand incorrectly accepted a further 330 visa applications after the quota had been filled.

“A technical fault occurred shortly after the Silver Fern opened which enabled people to submit applications after all the places had been filled,” said Rob Stevens, Immigration New Zealand’s service support general manager.

Read more »

Categories: New Zealand Visa - Tags: , ,

Australian immigration news: India now top source, beating UK and China

Written by lisa on May 15, 2012 · Leave a Comment

According to Australian immigration and citizenship minister, Chris Bowen, this year has seen India become the top source country with the largest number of immigrants to Australia. When visiting recently, Mr Bowen told The Times Of India:

“The strongest link between Australia and India is people to people through immigration. India has for several years been our third largest source of permanent migrants. This year so far, India has been the largest source; it has beaten China and the UK.”

In the past there has been some negative press regarding attacks on Indian students when studying in Australia. Regarding this subject, he told The Times Of India:

“Those incidents are in the past. Indian students are now again one of the highest numbers in Australian universities”.

Also mentioned were recent positive changes to the Australian international students program, potentially enabling more students to apply for the Australia visa application for students.

12 May 2012

http://www.emigrate.co.uk/news/20120512-2916_australian-immigration-india-top-source

Categories: Australia Immigration - Tags: ,

Australia announces immigration increase to fill skill gaps

Written by lisa on May 15, 2012 · Leave a Comment

The Australian Government announced a they will increase the places available in the 2012–13 migration program in order to help fill skills shortages in parts of Australia.

“The measured increase of 5000 places—from 185 000 to 190 000—comes in the context of significant skills gaps in both the short and medium term in certain sectors of our patchwork economy,” said Minister for Immigration and Citizenship Chris Bowen.

The 2012–13 migration program includes 129,250 places for skilled workers, 60,185 family places, and a special eligibility stream of 565 places.

“It’s obviously important that people be able to live with family members, which is recognised in the increased places to help meet growing demand. Importantly, partners and children can also be great contributors to our nation’s productivity,” Bowen said.

Bowen added that regional visas would continue to be given high processing priority in order to help address regional employers skill shortages and encourage regional migration.

Up to 16,000 places have been reserved for the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme to ensure that regional areas are able to fill skills gaps and grow local economies.

“Skilled migrants are increasingly moving to growth regions and places where there is demand—they are complementing rather than competing with our domestic labour force,” Bowen said. “Further recent reforms have made employer-sponsored programs more streamlined and responsive.”

14 May 2012

http://www.workpermit.com/news/2012-05-14/australia/australia-announces-immigration-increase-to-fill-skill-gaps.htm

Categories: Skills Shortage - Tags: , ,

Forging Ties

Written by lisa on May 12, 2012 · Leave a Comment

Delhi: On a two-day visit to Delhi, Australia’s minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Chris Bowen MP admitted that migration aids build ties between Australia and India. Bowen met a number of senior Indian ministers including P Chidambaram, union minister for home affairs and Kapil Sibal, union minister for Human Resource Development at the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) on May 2. The focus included migration opportunities between India and Australia and shared interests in promoting greater regional cooperation regarding border management.

Addressing senior Indian and Australian business representatives, government officials and media at FICCI, Bowen said, “Our [Australia and India] interests are converging like never before.  This is being driven by trade complementarities, rising investments, common geo strategic outlooks and closer multilateral cooperation. It is also driven by significant business relationships, rich people-to-people links and a common heritage that will continue to bring our two countries closer together.”

He added, “Education presents one of the most valuable opportunities for both countries to lay the foundation for an enduring partnership. It presents enormous opportunities to deepen collaboration between institutions across the education and training sectors, business and industry, and our governments.”

As of June 2010, there were 340600 India-born people living in Australia, equivalent to 5.7 per cent of Australia’s overseas born population. However Bowen revealed that the “2011-12 figures to date show India is the largest source of permanent migrants to Australia, ahead of both the UK and China.”

Bowen also emphasised on the value Australia placed upon the participation of Indian students in Australia’s student visa program and higher education sector. He provided an update on the recent changes made to Australia’s student visa program emerging from the Knight Review, and highlighted the benefits to Indian applicants under the improved streamlined visa arrangements.

Bowen is scheduled to visit Vayalar Ravi, India’s minister for Overseas Indian Affairs to take forward shared interests concerning the welfare of Indian nationals in Australia and progress discussions regarding a mobility partnership on people movements between the two countries.

11 May 2012

http://www.educationtimes.com/educationTimes/CMSD/Newsroom/1

/2012051120120511121753515c3fd49ee/Forging-Ties.html

Categories: Indo-Australia Partnership - Tags: , , ,

Taking a holiday in Australia? Make sure you have the right visa!

Written by lisa on May 12, 2012 · Leave a Comment

Australia ranks highly on many people’s lists of dream holidays, but with the distance involved and the lack of holiday time available, you might be tempted to choose a closer destination.

However, there’s a reason it ranks so highly on so many lists: the weather, the sprawling natural beauty, the sports and the lack of a language barrier are just some of the reasons the country’s popularity continues to soar among Britons.

With so many adverts detailing flights to Australia and tours in Sydney etc. finding out when and where to go is easy, but how to go is another, and yet more important matter altogether.

For instance, anybody travelling to Australia needs an Australia visa. There are many types of Australia visa and the process of finding the one you require can often become tricky.

Fortunately, if you hold a British passport and you’re just going for a holiday, there are only two choices when it comes to getting a visa. However, you need to make your Australian visa application before you leave for Australia (i.e. they can only be approved if you are offshore). Here is a look at what they are, how to get one and what they allow you to do.

The Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) visa is the most basic and easy to obtain visa. Applying for an ETA visa can be done quickly and easily online and once granted, becomes electronically linked to your passport, meaning you won’t need a stamp or a label in your passport as Australia immigration authorities will automatically see that you have the ETA when they scan your passport upon arrival in Australia.

An ETA visa is valid for 12 months during which time you are allowed to remain in the country for up to three months. An ETA visa also allows you to leave the country and re-enter, refreshing your visa’s validity for a further three months regardless of the date of entry.

ETA visa holders are not permitted to work during their time in Australia and if you are travelling as a family, every member will require an individual visa.

If you plan to stay in Australia for longer than three months, or if you think your trip could exceed three months, you may wish to apply for a Long Stay Tourist Visa, also known as an 676 visa.

A Long Stay Tourist Visa allows you to stay in Australia for up to 12 months and can also allow for multiple entries, depending on the circumstances of your visit.

A Long Stay Tourist Visa can be applied for online, known as an e676 visa, although most people’s applications will go through a more scrupulous process before being granted. Applicants are typically expected to provide more documentation to apply for a 676 visa although most applications are usually processed and returned to the applicant within 20 days.

Just like an ETA visitor, Long Stay Tourist Visa holders are not permitted to work, although in some cases voluntary work can be permitted (again, depending on the circumstances). Long Stay Tourist Visa holders are permitted to study during their stay in Australia, although only for a maximum of three months and you may be asked to complete a health examination if your study exceeds four weeks.

As Long Stay Tourist Visa holders are prevented from working, applicants are expected to provide proof that they have access to sufficient funds to cover the duration of their stay in Australia.

Your Long Stay Tourist Visa may be granted with a ‘no further stay’ condition which means you will not be granted any other visa until you have left Australia, unless under special circumstances.

11 May 2012

http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/Taking-holiday-Australia-Make-sure-right-visa/story-16054664-detail/story.html

Categories: Australia Visa - Tags: , ,

Additional Jobs for Australian Immigrants to Fill Skill Gaps

Written by lisa on May 11, 2012 · Leave a Comment

There will be an additional 5000 places for immigrants including workers to help fill skills shortages in parts of the Australian economy.

According to the Federal Government’s recent announcement, Australia would receive more skilled workers in the 2012-13 migration program and the 2012-13 Budget would provide support to the growth regions and sectors of Australia’s economy struggling with skills shortages.

“The measured increase of 5000 places – from 185,000 to 190,000 – comes in the context of significant skills gaps in both the short and medium term in certain sectors of our patchwork economy,” Minister for Immigration and Citizenship Chris Bowen MP said.

The 2012-13 migration program includes 129,250 skilled work visas, 60,185 family visas and 565 visas in a special eligibility stream.

“It’s obviously important that people be able to live with family members, which is recognised in the increased places to help meet growing demand. Importantly, partners and children can also be great contributors to our nation’s productivity,” the Minister said.

“Our skilled migration program is driven by Australia’s genuine skills needs and not simply by those who wish to become Australian residents. We believe we have the balance right.”

Regional visas would also continue to be given high processing priority to recognise the needs of regional employers and encourage regional migration with up to 16,000 places reserved for the Australian regional sponsored migration scheme.

The reforms of Australia’s skilled migration program have been undertaken systematically, ensuring skilled migrants now have higher levels of productivity and stronger employment outcomes.

“Further recent reforms have made employer-sponsored programs more streamlined and responsive,” added Mr Bowen.

9 May 2012

http://www.migrationexpert.com/australia/visa/australian_immigration_news

/2012/may/0/623/additional_jobs_for_australian_immigrants_to_fill_skill_gaps

Categories: Australia Jobs, Skills Shortage - Tags: , , , ,

New immigration family policies

Written by lisa on May 11, 2012 · Leave a Comment

New immigration family policies are set to help the country attract and retain skilled migrants.

Immigration Minister Nathan Guy says this will ensure family members can settle well and are self-sufficient.

“We are making changes to give priority to migrants who can make a real contribution to New Zealand. Overall we expect these changes will eventually save the taxpayer around $40 million a year.

“There will be a new two-tier process for the parents of New Zealand citizens and residents who want to migrate here. Applications from parents who have higher income sponsors, or who bring a guaranteed income or funds, will be processed faster than other applications.”

Nathan says parents whose English is poor will need to pre-purchase tuition, and the period during which sponsors are required to meet certain obligations for their parents’ support will extend from five to 10 years.

“As a result of these policy changes, many skilled migrants who have residence here can sponsor their parents and will receive a quicker decision with less red tape.

“The Sibling and Adult Child category for new migrants will close on May 15, which will reduce the number of unskilled migrants who find it more difficult to get jobs and are more likely to end up on a benefit.

“Research has shown only 66 per cent of people who gain residence as siblings and adult children had a job after 18 months, despite a job offer being required for residence.”

The existing Parent category will close on May 15 and the new two tier category will be available from late July.

For further information on the changes is available at

http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migrant/general/generalinformation

/news/familycategorychanges

10 May 2012

http://www.sunlive.co.nz/news/25154-new-immigration-family-policies.html

Categories: Immigration Policy - Tags: , ,

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