New Zealand Increases Minimum Income Requirements As Net Migration Falls

New Zealand’s record numbers of immigrant arrivals seems to finally be over as net migration is now falling.

According to statistics, annual net migration in the year to March 2018 totalled 68,000, a drop of 4,400 from last year’s total of 72,400. It’s still an impressive number and high by historical standards, but reflects the fact that an increasing number of non-New Zealand citizens are leaving. However, according to specialist statisticians, the numbers of arriving migrants haven’t changed by much.

Latest figures demonstrate a six per cent rise in migrants with work visas, bringing the year’s total to 46,300, but numbers arriving on residence visas fell by 13 pr cent. The statistic show migrants arriving for work purposes as the largest group, with the majority of expatriates arriving from Germany, France and the UK. Residence visas allowing permanent stays in the country were down from 16,800 to 14,600, and the number of student visas issued remained steady at 23,800

If you’re planning to emigrate to New Zealand, you should note that annual adjustments to financial requirements for some visas have now been implemented. The increased income thresholds will involve a number of visa categories and reflect recent changes to benefit rates in New Zealand. Changes are being split as a result of alterations to the country’s Families Package as well as to work and income adjustments, and will come into effect during June. Beginning on June1, minimum income requirements for Pacifica Access and Samoan Quota Scheme visas for applicants with partners or dependent children will rise to NZ$38,199.

On July1, the minimum income rate for work visas in the Essential Skills and Religious Worker category when applicants have children with student or visitor visas already in the country will rise to NZ$42,994. Also on July 1, Tier one Parent Category guaranteed lifetime minimum income requirements will increase to NZ$28,166 and to NZ$41,494 if a partner is included on the application.