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Immigration Blog
Migrating is more than just filling in forms and submitting paperwork; its a complex process that will test even the most resilient of people. Understanding Australia & New Zealand at a grass-roots level is paramount to your immigration survival, and to give you a realistic view of both countries, its people and how we see the world, as well as updates about any current or imminent policy changes, subscribe to our regular blog posts by entering your details below.
Southern Man: Is the LSD dead?
Posted by Iain on Dec. 7, 2018, 2:06 p.m. in Immigration
Not a day goes by in my working life when I am not reminded of my four golden rules I trot out at every seminar and every consultation having worked alongside the Immigration Department and the hundreds of officers that have come and go down the years. I always advise those that wish to draw on my 30 years of dealing with bureaucratic madness, that in order to survive the migration process without losing your mind: Assume nothing about your eligibility. Suspend logic. Just when you think you understand the rules your visa will be processed by an immigration officer who does not understand them. Read with great caution what you read on the Immigration Department website - much of the time it’s as if there are no rules and they make them up as they go along. If you get this 98% right, you will not be joining us in NZ or Australia.
Southern Man: It's Time to Fix the Broken Skilled Migrant Category.
Posted by Iain on Nov. 30, 2018, 7:24 p.m. in Visitor Visa
I have on a number of occasions down the years tried to impress upon the senior policy managers inside INZ and the politicians (when they will talk with us) how disconnected the (three) visa process is for skilled migrants from labour market reality and what New Zealand employers want. And how that hinders in achieving the aims of the skilled migrant residence programme.
Southern Man: Unemployment Close to Historic Low
Posted by Iain on Nov. 23, 2018, 4:33 p.m. in New Zealand Employment
If they were to now even be seen to allowing more people to enter the country, when all they might do is fill their own quotas/targets I have no doubt the media would tear them to shreds. If there is one thing the media does not like it is hypocritical politicians. Overall however, the fact that net migration is falling any objective assessment makes it clear the government would now be justified in easing that skilled migrant pass mark which would allow more people to qualify for the Job-search Work Visa without needing a job offer first. Right now only around 3% of all skilled migrants can attain 160 points without the offer of skilled employment.
Southern Man: The prettiest garden in the world
Posted by Jack on Nov. 16, 2018, 12:50 p.m. in New Zealand Lifestyle
Last week I quoted that great modern poet, Oprah Winfrey, cough cough, who described Queenstown and its surrounds as a place where ‘God was just showing off’. I endorsed that summary of this part of New Zealand, she was bang on the money. I am not sure if she made it to Fiordland or if she ever walked the Milford Track, something I have been waiting 40 years to do and have spent the better part of the past week doing. If she had, I suspect even she might have been rendered speechless. If the Big O made it that far she might agree with me when I suggest God may have been showing off in Queenstown but in Fiordland, God created a playground for giants in what is arguably the prettiest garden in the world. God, it seems, was also a bit of a dab hand at landscape gardening.
Southern Man: Queenstown - Where God Starting Showing Off
Posted by Iain on Nov. 9, 2018, 1:54 p.m. in New Zealand Lifestyle
I have been in beautiful Queenstown the past few days, working and getting ready for our five day hike along the Milford Track which starts at sun up tomorrow. Queenstown is without doubt my favourite New Zealand city. When I help clients plan their ‘Look, See and Decide’ trips to NZ, I always encourage them, no matter what the purpose of their trip, to squeeze a few days staying in this beautiful part of Te Wai Pounamu (South Island). There is no place like it on Earth. Bold claim I know.
