New Zealand benefits from the contribution made by temporary and permanent entry of citizens from other countries. New Zealand, in common with other countries, has a strict and complicated immigration policy linked to politically inspired social and economic objectives. Immigration New Zealand (INZ) is the governmental agency responsible for administering and overseeing migration and entry into New Zealand. This covers the responsibility for people wanting to work, invest, study, transit or visit New Zealand.

People wishing to apply to migrate permanently to New Zealand, must apply through one of the residence streams of the New Zealand Immigration programme (NZIP). These streams are Skilled/Business, Family Sponsored and International/Humanitarian. Each stream has a number of categories and a separate approval level. The NZIP is designed to grant residence to 55,000 per year. The main visa category people apply under is the Skilled Migrant Category, in which an application could be approved within 6 months of lodgement.

With the Australian government tightening up on entry into Australia and delaying application processing, New Zealand is fast becoming the next best option for those wishing to make the move down under and 2011 could see an influx of applications submitted under the Skilled Migrant Category. If you are looking at making the move down under you should look to obtain advice on your New Zealand visa eligibility as soon as possible – do not miss out as places are limited!