Welcome to 2024

For most of us the holidays (summer or otherwise) have come to a close and I suspect many of us will be saying, what we say every year, that they were too short and over too quickly. There may be a lucky few still able to drag out the sleep-ins or lazy days at the beach for a few more day, however for most of us in New Zealand, next Monday is when the gears start turning again.

With 2024 now firmly underway and the Turner Hopkins Immigration team back on deck as of the 10th, it is time to kick off the year with a few thoughts for those planning on making the big move. 2023 was a year of change, and not just on the Visa front and I suspect 2024 will come with its fair share of adjustments as well, although as I wrote about last year, I dont anticipate those being large or swift.

For those who considering the move, it is now however more important than ever to have a good plan and that is what this week’s article is really all about. How can you best plan to take on that new year’s resolution of moving countries. Having done this for a very long time, we have a pretty good sense of what that involves and have curated a few of those tips below.

Eligibility…

It might seem obvious but it isn’t always a priority - confirm you qualify.

Your Eligibility

With the rules for Visas changing periodically and a new Government keen to stamp it’s own unique mark on the process, establishing whether you qualify (now and in the future) is a challenging process - but a vital one.

There are of course no guarantees as to any change the Government might make, however there are some constants in this process as well, in terms of who is likely to make the cut and be able to secure Residence. Your employability, level of English and experience are all key factors and while rules might change, a good assessment can help you clarify what chances you might have.

Many prospective migrants forget this step, assuming that with a job offer and a Work Visa, the rest will fall in to place…nothing could be further from the truth. Plenty of people are able to secure Work Visas, but will have not pathway to Residence, because while the two process are linked in some ways, they are also completely separate in others.

It is really important to identify what your options are for both Visas - Work and Residence and to establish what the process to move from one to the other might look like. There are some applicants able to move very quickly through the process and others that might have to work in New Zealand for a period of time first. Knowing how this will all work for you, in your particular situation will help you to plan better as well as prepare the process if it is going to take a bit longer for you. It is also really important to identify if there are other issues (medical, character or other) that might create barriers or challenges during the process - again being prepared for this, will help to minimise their impact or prevent you from starting a process that may never actually pan out.

The key message here is that any move to New Zealand (or anywhere else for that matter) involves as the very first step, establishing whether you meet the requirements to secure the right Visas. You can attempt to do that yourself of course, but in the current climate, it pays to seek out the assistance of someone who spends all day, every day navigating these requirements.

From our perspective a good first step is one of our seminars, followed up by a one to one consultation with one of the team. This gives you a chance to understand the process in broad terms (the seminar) coupled with an in-depth assessment of your specific options (the assessment).

Research…

…is a good thing, but it is easy to get this wrong. Start by identifying the questions you want to answer.

Do Your Research

Research is a vital part of your move and you would be foolish not to do some digging on the lifestyle, environment, labour market, housing and so forth. However with the volume of information available as well as the variety of sources, it is easy to get this wrong. My advice is to first establish the questions that are important to you, rather than browsing for information that might be relevant. If you do the latter it is easy to end up in a series of rabbit holes, most of which exist on Facebook where people will give you all manner of advice that is largely incorrect or at the very least not relevant to you.

Start with a list of key things you want to know, for example:

• What can I earn, based on my skills and experience.

• What will my general costs be, including accommodation.

• What expenses will I need to consider as part of the move.

• Are there better locations in NZ for the type of work I need to secure.

There are many more considerations and questions that will be relevant, but having a list to begin with, will mean that your research efforts are directed in the right way. It also means that you spend less time on things that might seem relevant (according to those on Facebook) but are actually just distractions.

Don’t Sit On The Fence

If you qualify and are keen to move, then commit to the process (no matter the challenges) 110%.

Commit To A Plan

If you have determined that you qualify, and you have done the research the next step is to decide if this is the right move for you. No one can convince you of that, other than yourself, so take some time to weigh up the pro’s and con’s but don’t over think it. The process to relocate is challenging no matter how prepared you might be and it will give rise to fear and anxiety as well, but a well thought out plan, some good research and potentially the right guidance to steer you down the path will be all you need - save for one more thing, which is commitment. Many a migrant has started this process and stopped part-way through, not because they have failed necessarily but because there have been challenges, but no resolve to overcome them.

Migrating is a massive commitment and you need to be able to see it through to the end. Don’t get thrown at the first stumbling block, as there could be many more - dust yourself off and keep going. The end result is well worth it and despite what the doom and gloom merchants on social media might say, New Zealand has some fantastic opportunities for those prepared to put in the effort to find and retain them.

That’s it from us for this week, but we will be back next week (and every week after) with more news, opinions and examples to assist you along the way, as you plan your move to New Zealand in 2024.