Relocating to New Zealand

New Zealand Immigration with On Arrival Resettlement Services

Relocating to New Zealand

Here's a useful list of things to think about doing before relocating to New Zealand.

Things to do at least 1 month before you move:

Review your relocation package if you have one, and determine what expenses will be paid by your company.
Start a log of moving expense receipts (some may be tax deductible).
Get written estimates from at least 2 moving companies, including their written commitment of pickup and delivery dates. Get references. Check the limits of insurance they offer, and if it covers replacement cost. Purchase additional insurance if necessary.
Arrange for storage facility, if you plan to store any contents. Again, check insurance.
Arrange transport service for pets or automobiles if needed.
Contact your bank and arrange transfer of your accounts; order checks with new address; clean out your safety deposit box.
Submit change-of-address forms to the post office; mail postcards to friends & creditors.
Give day care centre proper notice of withdrawal.
Contact schools and arrange for transfer of student records.
Contact your doctors for medical records and possible referrals to new physicians.
Ensure that your pet's vaccination records are up to date.
Change your insurance policies on property, auto and medical.
Organize all important documents in a fire-safe box. Some things you want to include are school records, home purchase/sale papers, will, marriage/divorce papers, pet documents, financial records, stock certificates, social security cards, birth certificates, and passports.
Give notice of resignation to any clubs, organizations or volunteer activities you belong to.
Cancel newspaper subscriptions.
Arrange for hotels, rental cars or temporary housing as needed

Things to do about 2 weeks before you move:

Take a ruthless walk-through to determine what you really want to take.
Tag the rest of it and hold a garage sale; or call a charity for pick-up.
Clean out club, gym and school lockers; pick up all dry cleaning.
Arrange for the disconnection or changeover of utilities.
If possible, have measurements taken of the rooms in your new residence and use floorplans to determine where everything will go.
Begin packing less-used items. Number and label each box, and keep an inventory. For more valuable information.
Retrieve and return all borrowed items from neighbors & friends; return library books.
Clean out the cupboards & plan remaining meals so you can pack what you don't need, and don't buy any more perishables than you have to.

Things to do 1 week before you move:

Make an inventory list of all items going with you personally. Keep valuable and irreplaceable items such as jewelry and heirlooms with you, not movers.
Confirm arrangements and dates with moving & storage companies.
Confirm arrangements with auto & pet transportation companies.
Confirm hotel, rental car or temporary housing accommodations.
Clean out and defrost the deep freezer.
Disassemble furniture or others items.
Be sure to check yard and sheds for all items to pack.
Inform all friends & relatives of your forwarding address. If your phone service won't be instantaneous, arrange for a temporary voice mailbox; some long distance providers such as Sprint and MCI offer 1-800 voice mail numbers.
Take pictures of furniture or get fabric samples for anything you will want to reference for color or decorating before your goods are delivered to your new home.
Set aside a box of cleaning supplies and the vaccuum cleaner.
Begin making a "Survival Box" for the move. This should include paper, pens, stamps, envelopes, cellophane & heavy duty tape, scissors, tape measure, paper cups, ziplock bags, paper plates & towels, plastic utensils, facial & toilet tissue, instant coffee or tea, cream/sugar, soap, moist towelettes, aspirin, bandaids, can opener, bottled water, travel alarm, flashlight, small tools kit, trash bags, snacks or drinks, children's games, address book, spare car keys, phone books for the city you are leaving and your destination.

Things to do 1-2 days before you move:

Clean and defrost refrigerator and freezer.
Purchase traveller's cheques for trip expenses.
Reconcile and close bank accounts, unless you will be using another branch of the same bank.
Conclude financial matters relating to the sale or lease of your home.
Movers or your family should complete packing of all household goods for the move. Make sure are boxes are clearly marked.
Drop a note in your new neighbour's mailboxes to let them know that you'll be moving in - especially if the moving truck might block access to the road or common driveway

Moving Day

Confirm delivery address, directions and delivery date with the movers.
Carefully supervise the move. Make sure boxes are clearly marked and your instructions are understood.
Clean the home and check entire grounds before leaving.
Check thermostat and make sure temperature is set appropriately. Make sure all windows and doors are closed and locked, and all appliances are turned off. Leave forwarding address, garage door openers and any keys, if agreed to, for the new owners or renters.
If your home is going to be vacant when you leave, make sure a relative, neighbor or real estate agent has the keys and how to contact you. Also, notify your insurance agent and police department that the home will be empty.

Arrival Day

Check to make sure all utilities are on and working properly.
Let family members or friends know you have arrived safely. Check in with your employer to confirm itineraries.
Supervise moving crew on location of furniture and boxes. Begin unpacking necessary basics first - basic kitchen utensils, bath toiletries, etc.
Give the kids a job to do - let them start on their rooms. Usually, the kitchen and the kids rooms are the best to set up first, as it helps them feel at home.
Go over the Bill of Lading from the moving company very carefully before signing; check for damaged items first, as this is usually binding once signed.

The need for excellent English was emphasised by changes to immigration policy in November 2002. The Government raised the minimum English IELTS level for General Skills applicants from 5.0 to 6.5.

The Government's position is that it's pointless for immigrants to come to New Zealand to be unemployed - and that's what tends to happen if English language skills are lacking.

In a change to the English Language requirements, the Government is raising the cap on the number of new migrants allowed into the country and has instructed the Immigration service to approve more applications as the labour and skills shortage continues to bite.

Now the Government is set to lower the pass mark for migrants and will launch a marketing campaign aimed at skilled migrants who speak good English and who it considers will settle into the community.

For more information, please visit the NZ Government Immigration website http://www.immigration.govt.nz/Migrant.

If you have made the decision to come to New Zealand to live, work, invest, study, or visit, you will need to apply and be approved for a Visa.

There are many types of visas issued for temporary purposes, for which an application may be made. To determine whether you are eligible to come to New Zealand for a particular purpose for a defined time period, please review the brief descriptions below.

There are several different categories of Visa applications, and the following will give you an overview of each category.

Skilled Migrant

In November 2003, the Minister of Immigration announced the immediate closure of the Interim General Skills category for immigration to NZ. A new Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) was established in December 2003 which requires that intending applicants lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI). EOIs are placed in a pool and draws are made from the pool on a regular basis – currently two-weekly.

If you’ve got the required skills, the Skilled Migrant Category offers you the opportunity to move to New Zealand to work and live permanently. However, you will have to have the following basic requirements:

Recognised basic qualification (e.g. trade qualification, diploma, bachelors' degree,
At least two years work experience unless you hold a New Zealand 'Base' qualification,
A high level of competence in English,
Ability to provide financial support and accommodation for yourself and your family for your first two years in New Zealand, and
You have a relevant offer of employment from a New Zealand employer or are already employed in New Zealand.

Temporary work

If you’ve an offer of a job from a New Zealand employer, you’re skilled in an occupation that’s in demand here, or you’re coming here for a particular purpose or event, you can apply for a temporary Work Visa.

Work to residence

You may have an exceptional talent in sports or the arts, or you’re qualified in a highly specialised or in-demand field.

If this is the case, you can apply for a work permit under our Work to Residence category. This category allows you to work temporarily in New Zealand as a step towards gaining permanent residence.

Employee of a relocating company

New Zealand offers many business investment opportunities and welcomes businesses that want to move here.

If you’re a key employee of a business that’s relocating its operations to New Zealand, you can apply for a work permit and later a resident permit under our Employee of a Relocating Company category.

Working holiday

Want to get a real taste of life in New Zealand?

We have agreements with many countries to offer young people aged between 18 and 30 years the opportunity to travel around New Zealand taking up temporary work while they’re here.

Only people from countries with whom we’ve made agreements can come to New Zealand on a working holiday. And in most cases you’ll need to apply for your Work Visa or Permit before you get here.

Business Investor

In this category, points are allocated for business experience, investment funds, and age.

The following are the minimum criteria which all Investor category applicants must meet:

The maximum age acceptable in this category is 84 years.
This category requires investment funds of at least NZD 1,000,000 (approx. USD 500,000). Investment funds are to be treated separately from personal funds and must be invested in New Zealand for at least two years in an investment capable of providing a commercial return. Investment funds may not be used for the purchase of personal assets e.g. house, car, boat.
The actual level of funds required varies depending on points allocated for other criteria
Principal and non-principal applicants may pre-purchase English language tuition if they cannot achieve the standard of IELTS, band 5.
You have a relevant offer of employment from a New Zealand employer or are already employed in New Zealand.

Entrepreneur

This category is for applicants who have successfully established a business in New Zealand that can be shown to be of benefit to New Zealand.

Criteria must be met regarding shareholding and personal employment. Those who have been involved in bankruptcy, fraud or financial impropriety or in a business failure in the last five years may not apply.

Long-term Business Visa/Permit (LTBV)

This temporary entry category provides for people interested in applying for residence under the Entrepreneur Category or those wishing to establish a business in New Zealand but not intending to live permanently in New Zealand.

Successful applicants under this category and their spouses/partners will be granted a multiple-entry 3-year Work Visa or Permit. This may be extended to a maximum of six years. Successful LTBV holders may apply for residence under the Entrepreneur category after two years.

Employees of a Business Relocating to New Zealand (EBR - Residence)

The EBR category facilitates the granting of residence to key employees of businesses relocating to New Zealand, who can show that they who do not qualify for residence under any other category.

A key employee is one whom the Chief Executive Officer of that business considers essential to the operation of the business in New Zealand. EBR applications are considered by the Minister of Immigration on a case by case basis.

Studying in New Zealand

We’re pleased you’re thinking of New Zealand, and welcome people who’d like to study here.

International students studying in New Zealand build our connections with the rest of the world and increase our understanding of other countries and cultures.

Family Assessment

You must have immediate family (parent, brother/sister or child) legally in New Zealand for 184 days in each of the 3 years immediately prior to the date of your application.

Other requirements depend on your relationship to the New Zealand party. Your sponsor must be able to provide full financial and accommodation support for you (and your family), for your first two years in New Zealand. Welfare payments are generally not payable to new immigrants.

If you have pets, be sure the airline you select is currently accepting animals as cargo Some airlines have been known to stop accepting them for certain periods of time.

Don't worry even though they're considered "cargo," animals are placed in a pressurised climate- controlled section of the hold (usually in the tail) and get special treatment from handlers.

All animals must come through Auckland International Airport and most are subject to quarantine depending on the country they are from. They must have typically spent at least 6 months freely resident in their departure country, will require full vaccinations and a subcutaneous identity chip. Pets from most countries (with the notable exceptions of Australia and the UK) will also require a rabies lab test at least three weeks after vaccination.

The rabies lab test results, which identifies the animal by it's identity chip number must be at least 6 months old before the animal will be eligible for importation. This is one of those long lead-time items that needs to be handled early or you may be forced to have your pet join you in NZ several months later.

Only domesticated dogs and cats may be imported. If you have a non-traditional pet such as a bird, rabbit, ferret, hamster, guinea pig, rat, or mouse, it will unfortunately not be able to accompany you.

Certain breeds (including cross-breeds) of dog are also not eligible for
importation. These include the American Pit Bull Terrier, Dogo Argentine, Japanese Tosa and Brazilian Fila.

Required vaccinations for dogs:

Hepatitis
Canine Cough (adenovirus 2, parainfluenza & bordetella)
Leptospirosis
Parvovirus

Required vaccinations for cats:

Rabies
Panleukopenia
Rhinotrachetis
Calicivirus
Chlamydia Psittaci (optional)

Quarantine periods

Typical quarantine periods and documentation requirements for dogs and cats are summarised in the following table. Check with MPI (Ministry for Primary Industries) or your pet quarantine company for additional requirements.

All pets require a minimum of 10 days quarantine except those coming from Australia. Pets must be quarantined at a MPI approved facility. MPI is unable to offer exemptions from this requirement.

Origin	Import Permit Required	Zoo Cert.	Vet Cert.A	Vet Cert. B
Australia	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
United Kingdom	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Hawaii	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
USA	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
South Africa	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Specified countries	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes

The immigration process is complex. Inappropriate advice or incorrect documentation may cause an application to be declined while lack of knowledge may open the migrant to exploitation. It is therefore of paramount importance that you receive guaranteed, reliable and trustworthy advice throughout the process, from your initial enquiry until your successful resettlement in your new land.

You will also find that immigration policy changes rapidly and frequently as our Government responds to the changing needs of New Zealand. It is therefore critical that you receive current advice direct from within New Zealand, with the latest information.
Using every possible opportunity to ensure you are well informed about the New Zealand immigration requirements is imperative.

The New Zealand Immigration Service has a set of guidelines for determining if you would qualify for residence. These can be reviewed in detail by visiting their website at http://www.immigration.govt.nz/Migrant.

On Arrival also has an Alliance with a Licensed Immigration Consultancy that can assist you, please see “Our Partners” page.

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