Abide Immigration Services Limited

13/09/2024

Hi everyone,
Please note that Immigration Fees will be increased from 1 October 2024 :-) If possible, apply before this time to save on fees!

06/08/2024

Hi everyone, Abide Immigration Services have been nominated for a "Most Trusted Business Award". Thank you to those who nominated us - we had no idea what the Most Trusted Business Awards were prior to this :-)

To vote for us, please visit: https://mosttrusted.co.nz/item/abide-immigration-services/

Thanks once again :-)

Abide Immigration Services, is a specialist Immigration Advise firm, offering a comprehensive range of immigration advice and services. From initial consultations to visa applications, appeals, and compliance support, get expert help from licensed advisors with NZ visas, residency, and citizenship.

26/06/2024

Hi everyone, we are getting quite a few calls regarding today's new law change. Some advisors are advising that applications lodged today would be considered under the old instructions.

This is incorrect- I have confirmed with Immigration NZ and applications lodged yesterday before 11.59pm are under the old rules. Everything lodged after that are under the new instructions.

Please do not get caught up with incorrect advice- if you are unsure, please call Immigration New Zealand to double check.

25/06/2024

We've recieved this piece of news from Immigration NZ today. So annoying for Immigration Advisors and devastating for work visa holders who can no longer bring their partners or children to NZ

21/06/2024

20/05/2024

The Pacific Access Category (PAC) ballot allows up to 250 Fijian, 250 Tongan, 75 Kiribati and 75 Tuvalu citizens to get New Zealand residence each year.

Pacific Access Category Registration link for all those who wish to submit an application to the ballot.

Each year we invite people from Fiji, Kiribati, Tuvalu, and Tonga to register for a ballot that, if drawn, allows you to apply to live in New Zealand.

12/04/2024

AEWV Interview Preperation: Third set of sample questions.

Work Visa application process:
o Who applied for your visa?
o What is the name of your Immigration Advisor?
o What is the name of the company who applied for your visa?
o What hired your licensed Immigration Advisor?
o Who paid your Immigration New Zealand fees?
o What was the date of your application?
o How much was the Immigration fees?
o How much was the advisor fees?

New Zealand General Questions:
o Where in New Zealand will you stay when you arrive?
o Can you tell me about (____location___)?
o How far away will your accommodation be from the employer?
o How will you travel to your job?

Migrant exploitation questions
o Have you paid anything to your employer for this job?
o How much will you pay your employer when you get your Visa?
o Are you paying any third party money for this job?

10/04/2024

AEWV Interview Preperation: Second set of sample questions.

Recruitment Process:
o How did you find this role?
o Did your employer apply online? If yes, where?
o Did you apply online? If yes, what website?
o How did you apply?
o What is your username and password for the job search website?
o What is your email address?
o Were you interviewed by the employer?
o How long were you interviewed for?
o Did your employer directly call you or call you through an app? If app, then which one?
o What was the date and time of your interview?
o Did you send your employer your CV?
o What did your employer ask you in the interview?
o What did you ask your employer in the interview?
o What is your email address?
o What is your employer’s email address?
o What is your employer’s phone number?

09/04/2024

AEWV Interview Preperation: First set of sample questions.

Preparation: READ THROUGH YOUR DOCUMENTS

Employment Documents – common questions are:
o When were you sent the employment documents?
o When were you offered the role and when will you be expected to start?
o What is the name of your position?
o What is the name of your employer?
o What is your employer’s phone number?
o What is the name of the company offering you a role?
o What date will you start your role?
o What is your employer’s office address?
o Where will your role be located?
o What will your payrate be?
o What will your overtime rate be?
o How many hours are you expected to work?
o What regions will you be working in?
o How many annual leave days will you have?
o How many sick leave days will you have?
o What is your notice period?
o Did you sign your employment documents?
o What date did you sign your employment documents?
o Were your employment documents emailed to you?
o How did you send your signed employment documents to your employer?
o What tasks will you be expected to do?
o Will you be doing any kiwifruit planting, harvesting or maintaining crops?

REMEMBER: Immigration New Zealand may not use the wording above, however, if you are prepared for the above then you will still be able to answer. It is also a good idea to clarify questions - If Immigration New Zealand asks how many paid holidays will you have, then don't assume they mean public holidays or annual leave or sick leave, clarify the question and then answer correctly :-)

08/04/2024

AEWV VERIFICATION INTERVIEWS: If Immigration New Zealand call you after you apply for an AEWV.

Major Points:
• Immigration New Zealand will most likely interview you in English or your regional language. If you require an interpreter, let the verification officer who calls you know straightaway.
• ALWAYS record the interview – Immigration New Zealand will be making notes as they go – this can sometimes change the context of your answers or they may miss adding certain points to the transcript (especially if your interview is not in English).
• If you are outside or in a place where you will be unable to concentrate – let the Verification Officer know this as soon as you pick up the call. Try to reschedule the interview to a more suitable time.
• Prepare well and be confident in your answers. IF you do not understand the question or were unable to hear the question – ask the Verification Officer to repeat the question for you.

08/04/2024

AIRPORT INTERVIEWS:

In the last few weeks, Abide Immigration Services have been getting about 10 calls from clients, friends/family of clients and even random people who are interviewed at airports and are returned to their home country with their AEWV visas cancelled.

Every person who has applied for an AEWV or has been granted an AEWV MUST be prepared to have an interview with a Verification Officer (if you have applied for an AEWV) or a border official in any country you leave/transit and in New Zealand (if you have been approved an AEWV).

We will post of a set of sample interview preperation questions soon :-)

07/04/2024

CONSTRUCTION and INFRASTRUCTURE Sector Agreement
Previous plans to add these 7 roles to the Construction and Infrastructure Sector Agreement will not progress:

Driller’s Assistant
Earthmoving Labourer
Earthmoving Plant Operator general
Linemarker
Machine Operators not elsewhere classified
Mechanic’s Assistant
Road Traffic Controller

07/04/2024

The previously announced roles will not be added to the Green List:

Paving Plant Operator
Metal Fabricator
Pressure Welder
Welder
Fitter (General)
Fitter and Turner
Fitter-Welder
Metal Machinist (First Class)
Panel Be**er
Vehicle Painter
Road Roller Operator

07/04/2024

Green List changes
On 8 April 2024, 6 roles will be added to the Green List, equating to 9 ANZSCO occupations:

Straight to Residence
- Aviation Engineer (Avionics, Aeronautical, Aerospace Engineer)
- Naval Architect (aka Marine Designer)
- ICT Database and Systems Administrator
- Mechanical Engineering Technician
- Aircraft Maintenance Engineer

Work to Residence
- Corrections Officer

07/04/2024

Work to Residence changes for BUS AND TRUCK DRIVERS

Bus and truck drivers who apply for an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) on or after 7 April 2024 will not be eligible to apply for a Transport Work to Residence visa.

Those who already hold an AEWV and those who have applied for an AEWV (and are later approved) will still be eligible for a Transport Work to Residence visa.

07/04/2024

New Accreditation Requirements:

A new accreditation requirement is being introduced for employers.

If a worker on an AEWV leaves your employment a month or more before their visa expires, you must tell Immigration New Zealand (INZ) within 10 working days. If you fail to do this we may revoke or suspend your accreditation.

This change will not apply to existing accredited employers until they renew or upgrade their accreditation.

07/04/2024

New Job Check Requirements:

Immigration New Zealand will now assess jobs according to ANZSCO.

Employers will be required to declare that nobody who applied for the job met the definition of suitable or available New Zealanders. If an employer indicates that there were suitable New Zealanders available, the Job Check will be declined.

Extra rules for ANZSCO level 4 and 5 jobs
Employers wanting to fill jobs at ANZSCO level 4 and 5 now need to:
- advertise for 21 days, rather than 14,
- engage with Work and Income, and
- declare in the Job Check why any New Zealanders who applied were not hired.

Employers must engage with Work and Income before making their Job Check application.

If you did not hire a New Zealand applicant who met the definition of suitable and available, your Job Check will be declined.

07/04/2024

New Instructions for Accredited Employers:

Employers need to make sure that Migrants meet all the minimum requirements for the job AND the Minimum skill requirements. Employers who are accredited or re-accredited from 7 April 2024 will need to take reasonable steps to ensure migrant workers meet skill requirements as part of their accreditation obligations.

Employers must provide at least 30 hours of work per week to migrants.

If an Employer is being actively investigated for any breach of an accreditation, they can have their accreditation suspended.

07/04/2024

AEWV Length of Stay:

For ANZSCO level 4 and 5 jobs paying at or above the required AEWV wage rate, the maximum visa length for an AEWV is reduced to 2 years, with the ability to apply for one more year with a new Job Check.

The total time you can stay in New Zealand (also called a maximum continuous stay) on one or more AEWVs is reduced to 3 years. When you get to the end of your maximum continuous stay you will need to leave New Zealand for a specified amount of time — normally 12 months — before you can apply for another AEWV.

This changes do not apply to Level 4 and 5 jobs which are:
- on the Green List
- in transport and care sector agreements, and on a pathway to residence
- earning 1.5 times the median wage.

The length of an AEWV and maximum continuous stay for people in ANZSCO level 1 to 3 jobs will remain 5 years.

07/04/2024

NEW AEWV APPLICANTS:

Minimum Skill Requirement:
unless your role is on the Green List (and meets the Green List requirements) and is paid twice the median wage:

- at least 3 years' of relevant experience; OR
- a relevant qualiication at level 4 or above of the NZQCF

Work experience documents must be verifiable.

Minimum Standard of English:
You must meet the minimum standard of English if you are in a Skill Level 4 or 5 role. The requirements can be met in the following situations (you only need one):

- You are a citizen of Canada, Ireland, UK or the USA
- You have a qualification which is comparable to a Bachelor Degree (Level 7) for which you studied in person for at least two years in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, UK or the USA.
- You have a qualification at level 8 or above gained in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, UK or the USA
- You meet an English test and get results comparable to IELTS (general or academic) overall score of 4. There are other tests which are accepted as well.

07/04/2024

Some of the BIG CHANGES that will impact everyone holding an AEWV or hoping to apply for one shortly:

If you are holding an AEWV for an ANZSCO skill level 4 or 5 job (paid at the median wage) and you hold a 3-year Work Visa, you will not be able to apply for the next two years (to make it a total of 5 years).

If you are in an ANZSCO level 4 or 5 role on a pathway to Residece, you will not be affected by these changes,

04/12/2023

News for Permanant Residence Applications!

26/11/2023

News for AEWV Holders :-)