Immigration changes set new focus on family

Friday, 12 October 2007, 10:24 am
Press Release: New Zealand Government

12 October 2007 Media Statement

New immigration policies announced today by Immigration Minister David Cunliffe will make it easier for people to bring family members to New Zealand for visits.

“The changes recognise the importance of family support and make the immigration system more transparent,” said Mr Cunliffe.

From November there will be a new multiple visit visa for parents and grandparents visiting family living in New Zealand. The new visa will allow parents or grandparents to make multiple visits over a three-year period without having to apply for a visa each time.

“Parents and grandparents play a key role in family life. The new policies will make it easier for family from offshore to visit,” said Mr Cunliffe.

Mr Cunliffe also announced a number of other changes to sponsorship of parents, adult children and siblings in the family residence categories, including:

• Establishing quota places for the sponsorship of parents, adult children, and adult siblings to come to New Zealand as permanent residents
• The introduction of strengthened character criteria for people wishing to sponsor partners to come to New Zealand
• The introduction of a minimum income requirement of $29,897.92 for sponsors of parents
• The extension of the timeframe for sponsors to guarantee support for their parents from two years to five years (to come into effect with the passing and enactment of the Immigration Bill in 2008)
• The withdrawal of the existing Family Quota category.

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There will be 3100 to 3400 places for parents, 250 to 350 places for adult children,
1100 to 1250 places for adult siblings in 2007/08, based on the actual numbers from previous years.

“The largest part of our residence programme will continue to be for skilled migrants and their immediate families. There will be no change to the current distribution of places with 60 per cent of residence places for skilled migrants, 30 per cent for family related places and 10 per cent for our international and humanitarian obligations.”

Mr Cunliffe said the changes making it easier for people to bring family members to visit New Zealand are being balanced by tighter requirements in some instances.

“The family package announced today recognises the important role extended families play in enhancing settlement outcomes for our valued migrants. While the existing share of the total residence programme has been preserved, enhanced character and sponsorship requirements ensure a transparent and sustainable family residence programme,” said Mr Cunliffe.

The changes to family policy.reflect this government’s strong focus on achieving good settlement outcomes for migrants.

SUMMARY OF POLICY CHANGES ANNOUNCED TODAY

Policy	Current situation	Change made
Multiple visit visa for parents and grandparents	Nationals of visa-required countries must apply for a visa, which may be granted for periods up to 9 months.	The new multiple visit visa will require only one application to cover a three-year period, allowing several visits within that time of up to six months each, for a total maximum stay of 18 months. Applications must be made from outside New Zealand. Applicants must be sponsored by their New Zealand adult child or adult grandchild (or the parent of a dependent grandchild). Sponsors must guarantee to support the applicant, including meeting any health costs if required and must guarantee to pay repatriation costs, if necessary. An applicant who has exceeded the 18-month maximum stay on this parent or grandparent visitor’s visa will not normally be granted a subsequent visa. Parents and grandparents wishing to use the new multiple visit visa will have to undergo the same health screening currently required of people coming to New Zealand for longer than 12 months, including checks for TB, HIV, Hepatitis B, liver and renal function.
	Nationals of visa-free countries can visit New Zealand without a visa, but must apply for an extension to stay longer than three months (six months in the case of those from the United Kingdom).
	In both cases visitors can normally stay for only up to nine months in any 18-month period.
Parent residence category	Sponsors must guarantee to support their parent for two years. There is no minimum income requirement. Refugee sponsors are exempt.	A sponsor of parents (and/or their partner) must meet a minimum income requirement of $29,897.92. The minimum income requirement must be met by income obtained from: • sustained paid employment and/or • regular self-employment and/or • regular investment income Refugee sponsors and sponsors over 65 years old are exempt from the minimum income requirement. Sponsors must guarantee to support the applicant for five years. (Note; this will come into effect with the passing and enactment of the new Immigration Bill in 2008)
Parents, adult children and siblings residence categories	In the past there have been no specific numbers set for each category, just an overall number within the Family Sponsored Stream. There is a maximum age of 55 years for sibling and adult child applicants.	For the 2007 / 2008 year: • Parent 3100 – 3400 places • Adult child 250 – 350 places • Adult sibling 1100 to 1250 places
Family Quota	Any unused places in Family Sponsored Stream are made available by ballot for people not eligible under any other category.	Family Quota rescinded as not available since 2003.
Character criteria for sponsors of partners	Perpetrators of domestic violence which has resulted in granting residence to a migrant under the Victims of Domestic Violence policy are excluded from sponsoring a subsequent partner for residence or a temporary permit. A final protection order accepted as evidence of domestic violence.	A person with a conviction for domestic violence or sexual crimes cannot sponsor a partner for residence or support a partner’s or an intended partner’s temporary entry application, unless they are granted a character waiver. The exclusion from sponsoring in regard to the current and new criteria is set at seven years.

PREVIOUS CHANGES TO FAMILY POLICIES
• Last year Mr Cunliffe announced a maximum age of 55 years for sibling and adult child applicants, reflecting the age bands for skilled migrants in the New Zealand Residence Programme.
• Last year the Minister removed the cap on the number of residence places available to partners and dependent children of New Zealand residents and citizens. That change gave certainty to people such as expatriate New Zealanders that they will be able to bring their families with them when they came home.
• The Department of Labour amended its Victims of Domestic Violence Policy earlier this year to accept a final protection order as evidence of domestic violence. Migrant women on temporary permits who provide evidence of domestic violence can apply to be granted a work permit or residence under the Victims of Domestic Violence policy.

ENDS

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