Immigration New Zealand

Requirements

Medical and Character Requirements

Thursday, 10 December 2009 15:18
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Medical and Character Requirements

When applying for migration to New Zealand, you will need to provide evidence that you meet New Zealand’s health and character criteria. You can do this by providing medical and police certificates. Medical certificates are required if you plan to stay in New Zealand for more than one year, and police certificates are needed if you want to stay more than two years.

Medical

These certificates and x-rays cannot be more than three months old at the time of your application, so you need to plan in advance. Each applicant (including spouses and children of the main applicant) must undergo a series of medical tests to assess their level of health. The extent of the testing depends on how long you plan to remain in New Zealand. If you come from a part of the world with medium to high levels of tuberculosis (TB) and want to stay longer than six months, you will need to provide a Temporary Entry Chest X-ray certificate. Please be aware that these tests and examinations may require you to pay a fee. In some parts of the world, Immigration New Zealand selects registered medical practitioners and/or radiologists to perform these tests.

Police

These are to ensure that you and anyone accompanying you are of good character, and are necessary if you are staying for more than two years, whether under a residence permit, or a work, study, or visitor visa.
If you are over 17 years old and are applying for a temporary visas lasting longer than two years (work, study, visit) must have a police certificate from their country of citizenship and from any country they have lived in for more than five years since turning 17.
Applicants for residence who are 17 or older are required to provide certificates from their country of citizenship and certificates from any country where they have lived for over 12 months within the last 10 years.
Please be aware that you may need to pay a fee in order to obtain police certificates. Some countries will only provide certificates direct to Immigration New Zealand. This can take up to three months, so you need to plan ahead.

If you want to stay in New Zealand under a temporary visa, you will need to hold a passport that is valid for at least three months after you plan to leave New Zealand.

Last Updated ( Thursday, 10 December 2009 15:38 )
 

English Language Criteria

Thursday, 10 December 2009 15:05
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English Language Criteria

To make sure you have the best chance of settling into New Zealand life and participating in work and study, you will need to demonstrate a reasonable level of English. This is mainly directed at people applying under the skilled migrant category, and their non-principal applicants.

The test used for this called the 'International English Language Testing System' (IELTS) and is provided by Cambridge University in England. Your English ability will be tested in reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Although for immigration the grade awarded by the IELTS is the recognised level of English, other factors such as evidence of an English speaking background may be accepted as well. You will need to sit this test at an examination centre.


Last Updated ( Thursday, 10 December 2009 15:38 )