Immigration Lawyer New Zealand | Australia | Wellington | Auckland | Brisbane | Gold Coast | Queensland

Immigration Policy Changes - 8 August 2018

Following a public consultation, Government has come up with changes to immigration settings that impact post-study work rights for international students. The changes are:

  • to remove the employer-assisted post-study work visas at all levels;
  • to provide a one-year post-study open work visa for students studying Level 4 – 6 and non-degree Level 7 qualifications, with an additional year for Graduate Diploma graduates who are working towards registration with a professional or trade body;
  • to provide a two-year post-study open work visa for students studying Level 4 – 6 and non-degree Level 7 qualifications outside Auckland, provided study is completed by December 2021, at which point the entitlement for post-study work rights reverts to a one-year post-study open work visa for students studying Level 4 – 6 and non-degree Level 7 qualifications with an additional year for Graduate Diploma graduates who are working towards registration with a professional or trade body;
  • to provide a three-year post-study open work visa for degree Level 7 or above qualifications; and
  • to require international students studying Level 8 qualifications to be in an area specified on the Long Term Skills Shortage list, in order for their partner to be eligible for an open work visa, and in turn the partners’ dependent children to be eligible for fee-free domestic schooling.

These changes come into effect on 26 November 2018.

These changes are intended to support the attraction of international students studying at higher levels and preserve a pathway to residence for those with the skills and qualifications New Zealand needs, specifically through the link between more generous post-study work rights to higher level qualifications.

The three-year, time-limited incentive for international students to study outside Auckland is to ensure the benefits of international education are shared throughout all the regions of New Zealand, supporting the Government’s aims to lift regional investment, growth and productivity.

These changes will be grand-parented, so they will not impact current post-study work visa holders or current students who are undertaking a qualification that (once completed) will meet the qualification requirements as set out in current immigration settings.

#IRLegal #LegalExperts #ImmigrationLaw #CommercialLaw #TaxLaw #EmploymentLaw #Australia #NewZealand #501deportation #LegalAdvice #NewRealities #NewStrategies #Lawyers #PartnerVisa #BusinesssVisa #StudentVisa #BridgingVisa #LegalTips #ContractLaw #LegalAdvice #CommercialContracts #LegalServices #ContractDrafting