Blog
The Messy World of Job Classification
Time was when migrants and employers could look at a single list to find a match for the job offer that they are using to get a Work or Residence Visa. Alas, it's not so simple as that at the moment. Two Codes For many years, Immigration New Zealand has used the...
Employers Hiring Migrant Workers: are you putting your staff at risk of deportation?
New Zealand employers hiring migrant workers under the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) scheme need to be increasingly vigilant. Recent trends show that Immigration New Zealand (INZ) is taking a stricter approach to compliance, with even minor or unintentional...
Making a commitment to New Zealand
Frequently it is necessary to 'make a commitment to New Zealand' in some way or spend a minimum period of time in New Zealand, in order to meet the requirements of some Visa types. 1. Applications for Permanent Residence A context in which 'making a commitment...
Home and Back Again – Criminal Charge on a Temporary Visa
I frequently get asked to write expert opinions for the NZ Courts about how a criminal conviction will harm someone's visa status and their future prospects of staying in the country. Criminal lawyers ask me to do these for their clients, in the hope that the Court...
Deciding whether to file an immigration application or appeal (or not)
Immigration matters with little or no chance of success Sometimes we are approached by a client regarding an immigration matter, but we tell the client their matter has little or no chance of success. At Laurent Law we will tell a client if we believe this. This is...
Further Updates on Skilled Migrant Category – What the 2026 visa changes mean for you
The New Zealand Government has released further details about upcoming changes to the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC). These changes, first announced in September 2025, will introduce two new pathways to residence and update several key requirements. The new settings...