Some call it ‘a parent trap,’ while others are happy that New Zealand is tightening immigration rules.
The change of rules in the New Parent Category has created a huge furor, confusion and anxiety.
I mentioned in these columns earlier (Indian Newslink June 1, 2012), that the Parent Category had closed from May 16 to July 30, 2012.
The change has taken many applicants off guard, especially those who had lodged their applications before May 16, 2012.
According to INZ, there are 12,000 applications tendered before April 30, 2011. About 2600 applications were submitted between May 1 and December 31, 2011 and 2200 applications in 2012.
These applications are expected to remain in a long queue until a place becomes available. It is understood that it would take up to seven years to process the existing applications lodged under the previous Parent Category.
Expression of Interest
It is important to understand that if you want to apply for residence as the parent of a New Zealand resident or citizen, you must first submit an ‘Expression of Interest’ (EOI), after processing which, INZ would invite you to apply for Permanent Residence.
The time taken to allocate an application for processing varies, depending on the Tier under which you had submitted your EOI or whether you had lodged an application under the previous Parent Category.
According to the current estimates, INZ believes that it would take up to 18 months to process ‘Tier I’ residence applications. Under this category, applicants must have sufficient sponsor funds of $65,000 individually, or $90,000 combined with partner, or a guaranteed lifetime minimum income, or sufficient settlement funds of more than $500,000 to get residence in New Zealand.
Two Tier applicants
The new rules also require transfer of settlement funds to New Zealand be made within 12 months of an application approved in principle for residence.
INZ may take up to seven years for processing ‘Tier II’ applications.
People may qualify for residence under ‘Tier II,’ if they have a sponsor who earns at least $33,675 per annum and the applicant’s adult children live permanently and lawfully outside the country in which the applicants live.
The EOI draw for both categories will take place every three months (except in December and January). The number of places available in the draw will depend on the number of places available under the New Zealand Residence Programme.
Once allocated, the average processing time for EOIs is four to six months but this can be longer, depending on issues to be assessed, such as health and police certificates.
English Language
All applicants will be required to meet English language criteria by providing an International English Language Testing System Certificate with at least two competencies of Level 4 or above; meet alternative criteria or by agreeing to undertake English for Speakers of Other Languages tuition and paying the requisite fee.
If you have applied before May 2012, the current estimated timeframe for processing these applications is between three and five and if you think that you fit into the ‘Tier I’ category, you may be eligible to have your application fee waived if you re-apply.
However, the fact remains that you will still need to submit an EOI and pay the fee first.
If you are invited to apply, your application fee will be waived.
Only people applying under ‘Tier I’ will be eligible for this fee waiver and not those applying under Tier II.
Saif Shaikh is a Licensed Immigration Adviser and Director of Immigration Advice NZ Ltd based in Auckland. Phone: (09) 2724424; 021-1446641
Email: saif@ianzl.co.nz; www.immigrationadvicenz.com
