I. Investment Migration
Investment migration undoubtedly requires sufficient capital to support the application. New Zealand investment migration is divided into two categories based on the investment amount: one based on 3 million NZD and the other on 10 million NZD. Each has its pros and cons, and the choice depends entirely on the applicant's preference.
1. Investor 1 Category
According to the latest New Zealand immigration policy, the main requirements for the high-investment category are:
1) Invest 10 million NZD in New Zealand and be able to explain the source of funds;
2) The investment must be maintained for at least 3 years, and the applicant must reside in New Zealand for 44 days per year during the last 2 years;
3) There are no requirements for language, education, or business experience;
From the above, we can see that although the conditions for the high-investment category of New Zealand investment migration are simple, the capital requirement is relatively high.
2. Investor 2 Category
The latest New Zealand investment migration policy for the second category is suitable for applicants with certain business experience. The specific immigration requirements are:
1) Under 65 years of age, with no criminal record, and in good health;
2) At least 3 years of business experience;
3) An average IELTS score of at least 3;
4) Invest 3 million NZD in New Zealand, maintain it for 4 years, and reside in New Zealand for at least 146 days per year during the last three of those four years;
Investment migration has always been one of the important pathways for immigration to every country, as driving domestic economic growth is a goal every nation hopes to achieve.
II. Entrepreneur Migration
In addition to investment, entrepreneur migration is also one of the main ways to apply for New Zealand. The core of New Zealand entrepreneur migration is that the applicant goes to New Zealand on a work visa to start a business and then obtains residency. Compared to investment, entrepreneurship is more difficult, as it requires more capability from the applicant and carries higher risks.
The latest New Zealand entrepreneur immigration policy requires applicants to achieve an IELTS score of 4 and have at least 100,000 NZD in investment capital. With this, they can apply for a New Zealand Entrepreneur Work Visa to enter the country, establish or acquire a company, and then enter the second stage after 6 months or 2 years to apply for permanent residency. The entrepreneur migration cycle is quite long, requiring 2 years.
III. Skilled Migration
Skilled migration is a very important immigration pathway in New Zealand's policy and is the one that receives the most attention every year. Applying for the skilled migration policy is not easy. According to the current latest New Zealand policy, there have been significant changes to skilled migration, including a new points-based assessment system. The modifications to the latest New Zealand immigration policy regarding skilled migration mainly include the following aspects:
1) Master's or doctoral students who graduate in New Zealand will be eligible for additional points;
2) For those working in "areas of potential growth" with recognized qualifications and work experience, the immigration department will increase additional points for skilled employment;
3) Reduction in the required years of work experience in New Zealand for applicants;
4) Restructuring the method for obtaining additional points for those who have studied in New Zealand;
5) If the main applicant's spouse holds recognized qualifications and is employed in a skilled industry in New Zealand, they can receive additional points;
6) Review of the list of recognized qualifications;
7) Establishing more transparent and appropriate definitions for skilled employment;
Fortunately, the core requirements for applying for skilled migration have not changed much, but the requirements remain strict. Without an average IELTS score of 6.5, a score of 160 points for automatic selection, or a profession listed in the EOI system, there is certainly no chance of success for skilled migration. It is recommended that applicants find a recent points table to re-evaluate their situation.
Through the analysis of the latest New Zealand immigration policies above, it is not difficult to see that New Zealand has always been favored by investment migrants, but the trend of New Zealand immigration in recent years has indeed become stricter. Of course, there are many ways to apply for immigration to New Zealand. In addition to investment, skilled, and entrepreneur migration, there are also family reunion and marriage migration. The core of an applicant's choice should be based on choosing the simplest and most cost-effective immigration method that is feasible. If you are not very familiar with the process, it is recommended to consult an immigration agency to find out more.