IMMIGRATION To New Zealand
By Dr. Loyola Correa
Auckland
February 24, 1998
ABOUT MEPOLICY TARGET
PROCEDURE
PROCESSING TIME
SETTLEMENT INTO New Zealand
COST OF LIVING
DO YOU REQUIRE A CONSULTANT to Apply for Permanent Residence in New Zealand..? See our checklist before you decide.....
ABOUT ME
I have
been a Consultant for Migration to New Zealand since 1993 and in processing
people's paper work have assisted almost 700 families to successfully resettle
in this country. Resettling in a new country is not easy and at every step
of the way, you need professional consultation and assistance. I currently
have my own Dental practice in Auckland as well as run an extremely successful
Immigration Company - Global Access Consultants Limited, Auckland. We have
offices and representatives overseas. Our main office is at Bandra, adjacent
to St. Andrew's Church, Bombay, India.
Being successful is hundreds of applications and with a real feel for our
clients, we entertain hundreds of letters each month. I constantly get letters
from India and that includes Goa, from people seeking to get to New Zealand.
In this manner of contact much time and $$ costs are involved in replying
individually. I therefore thought that it may be a good idea to send through
to your office some information and procedures that may assist people to short
list their questions and thereafter contact me.
New Zealand is a beautiful country offering great opportunity for families
and children. The education and sports facilities are second to none and children
enjoy a lifestyle unparalleled. Medical and health facilities cover accidents
in full and Government Health facilities are always available for care. That
people yet take private insurance is due to the fact that people want to opt
for private treatment when necessary and they pay a premium for this cover.
POLICY TARGET
The aim
of the Current Immigration Policy is to facilitate quality migrants to come
to New Zealand for mutual benefit. New Zealand does not deem itself to be
a dump for all and sundry and like in any position or circumstance, some people
are suitable and others are not. People having police convictions and / or
major health problems may not be successful in their Permanent Residence application.
The Policy is presently 'weighted' in favour of married couples, specially
if both hold graduate and / or Post Graduate qualifications which a compliant
with the New Zealand Qualifications Framework. Relevance of qualifications
to their work experience is necessary and though we assist in the documentation
process leading up to acceptance of the relevance factors, it is generally
common sense that explains whether a qualification and the applicant's work
experience is 'relevant'. A good question to ask is : "Could I hold this job
without the qualifications I hold". If the answer is Yes, it is difficult
to justify the relevance factor. This is a simplistic approach.
English Language Skills are a must and the New Zealand Immigration Service
will sometimes insist on an IELTS score as evidence of the language skill
held. This applies mainly to the applicants age 16 and over who are included
in an application.
PROCEDURE
A fully
completed application is made to the New Zealand Immigration Service at its
various 'receiving offices', and Points are awarded on a graduated scale for
Age, Qualifications and Work experience gained. There are several other factors,
which also play a part. The New Zealand system is front end loaded, and this
implies that all documentation is necessarily included at the time of case
lodgment. Application and Medical Forms are available either from the New
Zealand Immigration Service Office or are provided FREE by consultants who
receive them from the New Zealand Government / Immigration service.
A full and comprehensive documentation is necessary to lodge a complete application.
Points are awarded for the applicants' criteria and the 'score' must meet
the Weekly Pass Mark. The Pass Mark can change every Friday and is posted
in every office of the New Zealand Immigration Service.
Applications not lodged in the prescribed manner will be returned unlodged
to the applicant.
PROCESSING TIME
Applications
can take between 6 - 9 months for processing and applicants must not make
any definite plans to sell property and resign employment etc. till the approval
letter is in hand. The process can take many convolutions and explanations
sought by the Visa Officer serve to clarify the same. An interview may be
part of the assessment process.
Once completed, an APPROVAL LETTER is issued and clients are normally expected
to arrive in New Zealand within 9 - 12 months.
SETTLEMENT INTO New Zealand
People
are very helpful and there is no racism or colour prejudice seen. Anecdotal
and hearsay news is encountered but no one will personally endorse an event.
The Government Income Support is an agency, which is the registration body
for people without jobs. A recent move in Parliament was made to reduce this
hand out and make people more self-sufficient.
The "DOLE" is frowned upon but people in need have this as their only support.
Students receive student loans and weekly assistance. The dole is not available
to recent migrants for 24 months.
Employment agencies specialize in various categories of "head hunting" and
a few calls to their offices leads to the right direction. People take between
2- 4 months to gain employment and therefore it is advised that immigrants
calculate this into their funds arrangements.
A large GOAN Community exists in New Zealand and functions and get togethers
are arranged regularly. Many members are busy and are not regular in attendance
but that is a way of Life. Many Goans are well settled though many families
have recently arrived.
COST OF LIVING
Mortgage
servicing is by far the single largest expense in any New Zealand family and
draws 30 - 50 % of the family income assuming one person is working. It is
dependent on the size of the mortgage and home. Many migrants have arranged
transfer of their assets to New Zealand and pay off their home mortgages very
early.
As new migrants, you are not entitled to any Income Support / dole for the
first 24 months in New Zealand. Therefore spend prudently, to make your funds
to last as long as possible. It is therefore better to be well informed for
life in New Zealand. Reading magazines and newspapers will greatly help to
become aware of the costs of living here and save you the hassle of carrying
some items from India to New Zealand. A Budget is a great idea. The New Zealand
Government is aware that every Indian is allowed FTS of USD 5000. Each person
is expected to arrive with at least this level of personal funds, equal to
NZD 11,600.
Many families cart things from India at great cost and inconvenience, only
to never use the items. It is definitely most important to pack well for life
here. Information therefore is the key to your settlement without inconvenience.
Briefly, costs are as follows : For a family of 4.
| A) | Capital Costs | Total approx. : $ 8000 - 9000 |
|
||
| B) | Running costs per week | Total approx. : $ 530 / week |
| 1) Rent $ 240 - 300 | 4) Telephone $ 15 | |
| 2) Food $ 125 | 5) Transport / petrol $ 25 | |
| 3) Electricity $ 25 | 6) School fees etc $ 15 | |
| 4) Telephone $ 15 | 7) Miscell $ 25 | |
A
Family of 4 would arrive with USD 20, 000 equivalent to NZD 47, 512. This
money is sufficient to last 72 weeks. As most would secure employment in 2
- 4 months, you would be adequately protected.
These costs can vary dependent on lifestyle and other consumption like liquor
and movies, video hire etc.
DO YOU REQUIRE A
CONSULTANT
to Apply for Permanent Residence in New Zealand..?
The short answer is NO.
But the decision to process your own papers may be far too costly and time consuming.
You can also get it horribly wrong. Like taxation and other legal applications,
you want to get this major move absolutely correct at the first attempt and
to have the best possible opportunity to succeed. As the old saying says…. "The
early bird get's the plum job which could have been yours…………
We have access to the policy and the various nuances thereof and minor modifications
that routinely takes place may affect positively or negatively, the success
of an application. Additionally, on your arrival into New Zealand you will constantly
require extensive "resettlement" advice and assistance in matters specific to
your case and family circumstances. Lodging an application now become an art,
where an eye is kept on the Pass Mark a set every Friday in New Zealand. We
constantly undertake repeat applications that have been privately lodged initially
and declined after months of processing. However, some cases have been damaged
beyond our help and we do not entertain these declined cases.
FEES
Our firm charges a Professional Fee of USD 2700 ( for residents of INDIA ) to
process an application which may be either that of a single person or include
a family of parents and children under 20 years. New Zealand Government fees
and all other charges are additional and can vary between USD 600 - 1500. This
includes qualifications evaluation fees as applicable.
On approval, the New Zealand Government levies an English Language Settlement
Fee of New Zealand $ 200 per head up to a maximum of 4 persons.
DO YOU NEED A CONSULTANT CHECK LIST
Do spend a few minutes going through the following questions……
1. Are you planning to settle down in New Zealand ?
2. Do you think that merely securing a Residence VISA is all that it takes to
settle successfully ?
3. Would you like a FREE Airport Pickup and a FREE ONE-WEEK accommodation with
PRIVATE self contained facilities on your arrival ? This is valued at $ 245.
4. What have you set as a main goal for moving to New Zealand ?
5. Are you particular where you live in New Zealand ? Do you believe that all
areas in New Zealand are good enough for you to live ?
6. Are you keen to have the best school education for your children ?
7. Would you like to maximize the money you will carry to New Zealand ?
8. Would you like a discount on your purchase of a Car ? Household items etc…
9. Do you think you may need Medical or Dental assistance in New Zealand ? Are
you willing to pay FULL FEES for Emergency Dental services? Our clients receive
50 % discount on all fees for Emergency dental procedures.
10. Do you think you can discuss confidential matters with your friends or relatives
in New Zealand and hope to secure professional unbiased advice ?
11. Do you know that we have processed hundreds of applications to New Zealand
? Every one of them is delighted with our service and comprehensive post arrival
assistance.
12. Did you know that we have had decisions made by the Visa Officers overturned
through the Residence Appeal Authority ? Yes…..Visa Officers do occasionally
make mistakes and a decision can go against you. We guarantee our work through
professional competence, experience, and reputation. We incorporate a FEE refund
clause for client safety.
13. Do you believe that we can save you several months of processing time to
secure your visa ? Saving time implies that you will arrive here sooner than
later…….and secure advertised employment quicker. The earlier bird …… does get
the worm !!!
14. Do you believe that lost opportunities and series of process delays can
cost $$$$$$$'s ?
If the answer to all of the questions above is YES…..you need us to direct this
big move.
OUR GUARANTEE
You will be delighted with our service 100 %. Ask or hundred's of clients…..
Should you wish to contact me, my details are as under. I have been a consultant
for migrants to New Zealand and Australia for the last 8 years and my company
enjoys a 99.99 % success till date. We proudly declare that we enjoy the highest
success rate. However for the legal side of a client's protection, we have a
Refund Policy where we refund 70 % of the Professional Fee we levy should the
case get declined for any reason other than fraudulent documentation and / or
a failed medical test.
I trust this information will be of help to our GOAN Community and should there
be need for any clarifications, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Best regards to the Community
| Dr. Loyola Correa | Office | : | + 64 9 631 5416 |
| Auckland | Mobile | : | + 64 25 226 9959 |
| 475 a Manukau Road | FAX | : | + 64 9 575 9597 |
| Epsom - Auckland | : | loyola@ihug.co.nz | |
| New Zealand |
Click on the link below to download the Initial Assessment Questionnaire for IMMIGRATION to NEW ZEALAND
|
Will
download file as a MS-Word Document |
Will
download as a PDF file |