New Zealand to welcome President of India

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Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced that the President of India, Her Excellency Droupadi Murmu, will make a State visit to New Zealand next week.

“This is the second time New Zealand will be welcoming an Indian President, following Shri Pranab Mukherjee’s visit in 2016,” Mr Luxon says.

“New Zealand and India have a long-standing and vibrant relationship, and my Government is committed to deepening and broadening our connections.  I spoke with Prime Minister Modi ten days ago.  Having already visited India this year, the Deputy Prime Minister met the Indian Foreign Minister this past weekend in Laos.  The Minister for Trade made another visit to New Delhi last week for meetings with his counterpart.

“President Murmu’s visit is particularly welcome at a time of increased engagement between the New Zealand and Indian Governments. The visit will also highlight our strong people-to-people and cultural links.”

New Zealand is home to about 300,000 people of Indian origin, who make an important contribution to our business, community and society. Hindi is the fifth most spoken language in New Zealand, and Indian students also make up the second largest cohort of international students in New Zealand.

“President Murmu is a highly respected leader in India. She is the second female and the first person from a tribal community to hold the position. Her visit will provide an important opportunity to reaffirm New Zealand as a trusted and supportive bilateral and regional partner to India,” Mr Luxon says.

President Murmu and her delegation will attend a series of events in Auckland and Wellington during her visit from August 7-9, including an official welcome at Government House, official talks with the Governor-General, Prime Minister, and Minister of Foreign Affairs, and a State dinner hosted by the Governor-General.

Key information and statistics on AEWV

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Accreditation applications opened on 23 May 2022, Job Check applications opened on 20 June 2022 and work visa applications opened on 4 July 2022. 

As at 16 July 2024 Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has approved 123,124 AEWV applications, and there are 35,781 accredited employers.

As at 16 July 2024

  • INZ has undertaken 4,180 post-accreditation checks on 3,031 employers. An additional 369 are underway.
  • The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) has received 3,539 complaints against accredited employers. This number only indicates an allegation involving an accredited employer has been received, not whether the allegation can be substantiated.
  • There are currently 291 active investigations on 281 accredited employers underway (as some are duplicates).
  • 398 employers have had their accreditation revoked and 66 have had their accreditation suspended.
  • 37 employers are under assessment to have their accreditation revoked and there is 1 employer under assessment to have their accreditation suspended. Revocations and suspensions can occur due to a range of reasons, and a number are due to liquidation.

 

Job Change process

AEWV holders can apply to vary their employer, job, location, under the Job Change application process. This allows AEWV migrants greater certainty, including if they lose their job. 

 

Contact us now if you have any questions related to the above!!

Pacific Access Category and Samoan Quota draw takes place on 24 July 2024

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The PAC and SQ residence pathways recognise the special relationship between New Zealand and Samoa and the Pacific Access Category countries of Tonga, Tuvalu, Kiribati and Fiji.

This year 1,650 Samoan citizens, 250 Tongan, 250 Fijian citizens, 75 Kiribati and 75 Tuvaluan citizens will be granted residence under each category.

Sufficient registrations in the ballot will be drawn to meet these quotas. Registrations for the ballots can contain more than one person, for example if a family are included under the same registration.

New income threshold

The minimum income requirement for those applying for residence under PAC and SQ with dependent children will be NZD$53,515.28 from 1 August 2024.

This will apply to those who are invited to apply for residence following this ballot draw. The purpose of this requirement is to ensure that parents can adequately support children in New Zealand. The income of a secondary applicant partner may also be considered, as long as both applicants have an acceptable offer of employment in New Zealand.