We are often asked by immigration clients what the best way to gain New Zealand residence.  There is in fact no one best way. At Corban Revell, we walk you through all the possible options and, with your help we identify the best option available to your specific case.  The basis of your application for residence will largely depend on your circumstances, your qualifications and your work experience. The particular industry to which you belong and its current employment conditions can also be an important factor.

BUSINESS CATEGORIES
If you are an existing entrepreneur, business person or investor you may often be able to obtain residence under one or more of the following categories.

ACTIVE INVESTOR MIGRANT POLICY - An Overview
The Active Investor Migrant Policy opened on 26 November 2007. This policy replaces the Investor Category (which closed on 26 November 2007) and the Entrepreneur Category (for applications based on the Long Term Business Category prior to 20 November 2002) and provides an alternative to the Long Term Business Category of Immigration New Zealand.

This policy is divided into three sections:

General (Active) Investor Category - for migrants investing a minimum of NZ$2.5 million in New Zealand, who have an additional NZ$1 million for settlement funds.
Professional Investor Category  - for migrants investing NZ$10 million in New Zealand, including at least NZ$2 million in active investment.
Global Investor Category - for migrants investing NZ$20 million in New Zealand, including at leaset NZ$5 million in active investment.
 The process is fast and efficient and allows the applicant (and his/her family) to travel to New Zealand once an Approval in Principle is issued. Applicants from visa free countries are able to travel to New Zealand and visit until the issuance of an Approval in Principle. Applicants may have the opportunity to study their investment options over a period of 12 months (if they haev not already decided yet) and apply for temporary permits while doing so.

ENTREPRENEUR CATEGORY (Post 20 November 2002)
The object of the Entrepreneur category is to attract migrants who can demonstrate they have been actively participating in business and contributing to New Zealand's economic development.

As this category does not apply to persons whose applications were made prior to 20 November 2002 or people who hold work permits granted (or the grant of which was approved) under the Long Term Business Category of immigration policy prior to 20 November 2002, there is very little opportunity to be able to demonstrate having actively participated in business contributing to New Zealand's Economic Development. If this option appeals to you, you will need to look at your position twice over before making a decision.

 STUDY

OVERVIEW
If you are thinking of the fastest way to travel to New Zealand with a clear path to gaining residence but do not have the funds or do not wish to commit to investing the required funds to qualify under the General (Active) Investor Category, the study option could be the best option for you.
What is critical to this category is choosing the right study course. While courses and private teaching institutions abound, in addition to New Zealand's world class universities and 'polytechs', not all courses provide clear opportunities to find work. Even shortage list courses do not necessarily mean instant jobs and clear avenues for New Zealand residence. This option requires securing a work permit (should a job offer be available) or a graduate job search permit (now with a 12 month duration) prior to becoming eligible to apply for New Zealand residence.

 SKILLS

OVERVIEW
Often said to be the best option for New Zealand residence, the popular Skilled Migrant Category ("SMC") of Immigration policy using the points system and the selection point criteria current to the time of lodgment has often led to disastrous results. The current deferral period is nine months in which the applicant being issued Work to Residence ("WTR") visas must travel to New Zealand to find skilled work relevant to their qualifications and work experience.
Much is left unsaid about how difficult it is to arrive in New Zealand without New Zealand experience and find work that is equivalent to your work overseas and qualifies as 'skilled' under the requirements of Immigration policy. As a result many have left their homes overseas only to be declined residence at the end of their SMC-WTR deferral period.

 With Immigration Policy constantly changing and requirements being streamlined and sharpened, planning is key and a good strategy spells the difference between a problem ridden application doomed to fail from the start and a trouble free route to New Zealand residence.

*Please note: NZIS policy is subject to change and the above information is current as at 9 September 2008