Articles tagged with Immigration
New Zealand Introduces Immigration (Enhanced Risk Management) Amendment Bill
1 week ago | 95 viewsThe Government is introducing the Immigration (Enhanced Risk Management) Amendment Bill to strengthen New Zealand’s immigration system by improving tools to manage risks, including extending deportation liability for serious criminals from ten to twenty years. The Bill and accompanying Parliamentary paper propose changes to better handle asylum claims, such as considering serious crimes committed after arrival in refugee status determinations and addressing bad faith claims to maintain system integrity. These measures aim to balance attracting skilled migrants and protecting genuine refugees while ensuring consequences for those who abuse the system, with the Bill expected to begin parliamentary readings soon.
Tags: Erica Stanford Immigration New Zealand Immigration Protection Tribunal New Zealand Immigration Bill Refugee Convention asylum claimants migrant exploitation deportation refugee statusNew Zealand Cuts Visitor Visa Costs for Pacific Nationals from June 2025
2 weeks ago | 253 viewsForeign Minister Winston Peters and Immigration Minister Erica Stanford announced a reduction in visitor visa fees for Pacific nationals, lowering the cost from $216 to $161 for a 12-month visa starting 1 June, to promote easier and more affordable travel to New Zealand. This update complements previous improvements such as extended visa durations to two years with multiple entries, faster processing, and a visa-free trial for Pacific travelers from Australia, aiming to strengthen Pacific-New Zealand connections. The government will review the impact of these changes in a year, with further eligibility details to be confirmed soon.
Tags: Winston Peters Erica Stanford John Tulloch Michael van der Kwast Pacific people New Zealand Immigration New Zealand Pacific Islands Forum Australian visa NZeTAVisa-Free Travel Boosts New Zealand Tourism with 36,800 Chinese and Pacific Visitors
1 month ago | 258 viewsA new visa-free travel option via the New Zealand electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) for eligible Chinese and Pacific visitors arriving from Australia has significantly increased tourism, with visits nearly tripling to 36,800 and generating an estimated $210 million in economic benefits. This streamlined process reduces costs and wait times compared to traditional visas, prompting 85% of Chinese and 82% of Pacific travelers to visit specifically because of the change. The influx of visitors is boosting local businesses, especially in key tourism regions like the South Island, aligning with the government’s goal to support Kiwi businesses and regional growth.
Tags: Erica Stanford Louise Upston New Zealand Chinese visitors Pacific visitors NZeTA tourism South Island Immigration MinisterNew Zealand’s Active Investor Plus Visa Attracts $3.39B in Global Investments
1 month ago | 345 viewsSince its refresh in April 2025, New Zealand’s Active Investor Plus visa has attracted $3.39 billion from 573 applicants, significantly surpassing previous investment levels and supporting sectors like tech, healthcare, and horticulture. Immigration Minister Erica Stanford highlights that this influx of international capital and expertise is driving productivity, job creation, and business expansion, aligning with the Government’s economic growth goals. Additionally, new visa settings allow investor visa holders to purchase or build high-value homes, fostering deeper connections to New Zealand.
Tags: Erica Stanford Active Investor Plus Hectre New Zealand Immigration Minister Going for Growth AIP visa international investment investor visa Growth CategoryNew Overseas Investment Law Speeds Approvals and Boosts NZ Economic Growth
3 months ago | 494 viewsAssociate Finance Minister David Seymour welcomes the Overseas Investment Amendment Act, which accelerates overseas investment decisions to 15 working days for most sectors, aiming to boost New Zealand business growth, productivity, and wages. The law simplifies the screening process with a modified national interest test, maintains stricter rules for sensitive assets like farmland and residential land, and allows overseas investors with a New Zealand investor resident visa to purchase high-value homes to encourage investment. Immigration Minister Erica Stanford highlights that attracting international investors brings capital, skills, and connections vital for economic development and growth.
Tags: David Seymour Erica Stanford Overseas Investment Act New Zealand LINZ Active Investor Plus immigration foreign investment economic growth productivityNew Zealand Business Investor Visa Now Open for Experienced Investors
4 months ago | 422 viewsNew Zealand has launched the Business Investor Visa to attract experienced investors who will actively contribute to established businesses, supporting economic growth and job creation. The visa offers two investment pathways: $1 million for a three-year work-to-residence option and $2 million for a 12-month fast-track to residence. This initiative aims to sustain local businesses, protect jobs, and bring fresh capital and expertise into the economy as part of broader efforts to boost investment and growth.
Tags: Business Investor Visa New Zealand Immigration Erica Stanford investment business growth Active Investor Plus visa economic growth overseas investorsParent Boost Visitor Visa Applications Now Open for New Zealand Citizens and Residents | Up to 5 Years Stay
5 months ago | 533 viewsApplications are open for the Parent Boost Visitor Visa in New Zealand, allowing parents of citizens and residents to visit for up to five years, meeting health, financial, and insurance requirements. The visa aims to balance the desires of migrants with parents overseas for longer visits while protecting public services. Additionally, initiatives like smart skilled migrant residency pathways are part of efforts to attract talent, support businesses, and boost the economy.
Tags: Parent Boost Visitor Visa New Zealand Immigration Minister Erica Stanford visitor visa health system skilled migrant residency pathways talent attraction economic growth National ACTNew Skilled Migrant Residence Pathways to Boost Kiwi Businesses
6 months ago | 725 viewsThe New Zealand Government is introducing two new skilled migrant residence pathways to help businesses attract and retain the workforce they need. These pathways include the Skilled Work Experience pathway for migrants with at least five years of relevant work experience and the Trades and Technician pathway for migrants with specified qualifications and work experience. The government aims to balance attracting higher-skilled workers with managing migration levels responsibly, prioritizing New Zealanders for jobs, and ensuring that skilled and experienced migrants are placed in occupations where they are most needed.
Tags: Kiwi businesses Government Nicola Willis skilled migrant residence pathways Economic Growth Minister Immigration Minister Erica Stanford skilled workers New Zealanders immigration solutionsImmigration Minister Erica Stanford Leads Delegation to Promote Active Investor Plus Visa in the US
6 months ago | 694 viewsImmigration Minister Erica Stanford is leading a delegation to the United States to promote New Zealand's Active Investor Plus visa, which has attracted over $1 billion in proposed investments since April 1, with US investors showing the most interest. The trip aims to engage with potential investors interested in New Zealand's business opportunities and economic growth, highlighting the country's appeal as a safe and pro-business environment. Minister Stanford will visit New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco for events organized by Invest NZ, emphasizing the importance of attracting investment to support economic development and create opportunities for New Zealanders.
Tags: Erica Stanford Immigration Minister United States Active Investor Plus visa Invest NZ New Zealand investors economic growth delegation potential investorsNew Zealand Immigration System Strengthened: Deportation Rules & Compliance Enhanced
6 months ago | 713 viewsThe Government is proposing changes to the Immigration Act to enhance deportation settings and immigration compliance in New Zealand, aiming to strengthen the integrity and trust in the immigration system. The Immigration (Enhanced Risk Management) Amendment Bill will expand deportation liability for serious criminal offenses, false information provision, and historic crimes, among other measures. Additionally, the Bill will increase penalties for migrant exploitation to combat this crime and improve compliance within the immigration framework.
Tags: Erica Stanford Immigration Minister deportation settings immigration compliance New Zealand Immigration Act deportation liability migrant exploitation residence class visa holders compliance frameworkNew Zealand Introduces Business Investor Visa to Boost Economy
7 months ago | 725 viewsThe Government of New Zealand is modernizing visa settings to attract experienced businesspeople through the new Business Investor Visa, aiming to stimulate economic growth and job creation. The visa offers two investment options: a $1 million investment with a three-year work-to-residence pathway and a $2 million investment with a 12-month fast-track to residence pathway. This initiative replaces the Entrepreneur Category, aims to deliver real economic benefits, and is part of a broader refresh of business visa settings to support the country's economy.
Tags: Government modernising visa settings businesspeople New Zealand Business Investor Visa Erica Stanford investment Immigration New Zealand economic benefitsTransforming New Zealand with Modern Digital Identity: Minister's Vision at Hui Taumata 2025
7 months ago | 1389 viewsThe Minister for Digitising Government addresses the Digital Identity New Zealand Hui Taumata 2025, highlighting the importance of digital identity in transforming how New Zealanders access services. The government has made significant progress in developing a modern digital identity system, including the launch of NZ Verify and the Government App. Collaboration between the public and private sectors is encouraged to ensure the successful implementation and use of digital identity services for all New Zealanders.
Tags: Minister for Digitising Government Andy Higgs Maria Robertson Honourable Scott Simpson New Zealand Transport Agency Department of Internal Affairs Immigration New Zealand NZ Verify Dave Clark NZ MATTRNew Seasonal Visas in New Zealand: Boosting Businesses and Prioritizing Jobs for Kiwis
7 months ago | 921 viewsThe Government is introducing two new seasonal visa pathways to assist New Zealand businesses in accessing necessary workers during peak periods, while also prioritizing job opportunities for New Zealanders. The Global Workforce Seasonal Visa (GWSV) is a three-year visa for experienced seasonal workers in various industries, while the Peak Seasonal Visa (PSV) is a seven-month visa for short-term roles. Visa holders must spend time offshore before returning, and employers must advertise roles and engage with MSD to prioritize New Zealand workers.
Tags: Government New Zealand businesses workers jobs Immigration Minister Erica Stanford Global Workforce Seasonal Visa Peak Seasonal Visa employers seasonal industriesGovernment Strengthens Immigration System for Fiscal Sustainability and System Integrity: Key Changes Unveiled
9 months ago | 1713 viewsThe Government is taking another step to strengthen the fiscal sustainability and integrity of the immigration system following the successful first reading of the Immigration (Fiscal Sustainability and System Integrity) Amendment Bill. “Our immigration system needs to be smart, responsive and flexible to keep pace with the changing geopolitical context. The changes proposed will help ensure our settings appropriately respond to risk and are sustainable,” Immigration Minister Erica Stanford says.
Tags: Erica stanford Immigration King ’ s counsel Stanford Victoria caseyNew Zealand's 'Golden Visa' Program Attracts Record Investment and Talent
9 months ago | 2532 viewsThe Government is attracting new migrants to bring their capital, experience and skills to New Zealand with a flood of formal interest in the new 'golden’ visa. Since only April – less than three months – Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has received 189 applications for the Active Investor Plus visa, significantly more than the 116 applications received over more than two-and-a-half years under previous settings, Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis says. “New applications under the scheme represent a potential $845 million of new investment in New Zealand business.
Tags: Active intor plus English Erica stanford Immigration new zealand Investor plus New zealand Nicola willis North america Stanford Zealand