Fermah Advocates - Immigration Advisers

01/10/2026

🎅🇳🇿 Coming to New Zealand for Christmas or the summer holidays?

Don’t wait until the last minute to apply for your visitor visa.

With visitor visa applications increasing over the busy summer period, delays can happen — especially when applications are missing documents or information.

A strong application submitted early can make all the difference.

✔️ Visiting family
✔️ Celebrating Christmas in New Zealand
✔️ Attending a special event
✔️ Exploring Aotearoa this summer

We can help you prepare a complete visitor visa application and make sure you have the right supporting documents in place.

📩 Send us a message today to get started with your New Zealand visitor visa application.

06/09/2026

🚨 **PLANNING A VISIT TO NEW ZEALAND? 🇳🇿**

Big changes are coming from **1 October 2026!**

Selected **Visitor and Transit Visa applications will no longer be accepted on paper** and will need to be submitted through INZ’s enhanced online system.

💻 The online process means less paperwork, easier tracking, clearer guidance and fewer errors.

But if you're **not sure which visa you need, what documents are required, or how to complete the online application — don't risk getting it wrong.**

📩 **Send us a message today.**
We can help you understand the requirements and prepare your visa application correctly.

🇳🇿 **Planning to visit New Zealand? Let us help make the process easier.**

23/08/2026

The Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) has had a few updates to the requirements.
If you would like to find out more then please get in touch - one of our expert advisers will be able to help out!

The wait is over!

The new Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) residence settings and Work to Residence wage rate changes are now live. With new residence pathways, updates to the points system, and changes to wage threshold rules, there may be new opportunities to make New Zealand your home.

Find out what you need to do to apply, check your eligibility, and explore the pathway that's right for you.

https://www.immigration.govt.nz/visas/skilled-migrant-category-resident-visa/

https://www.immigration.govt.nz/visas/work-to-residence-visa/

19/06/2026

📢 IMPORTANT UPDATE: Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) Changes Confirmed for August 2026

Immigration New Zealand has released the final details of significant changes to the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) and related Work to Residence pathways, which will take effect from **24 August 2026**.

Key changes include:

✅ **Greater certainty around wage thresholds**
Most applicants will only need to meet the wage threshold that applied when they started gaining their skilled work experience, rather than a higher threshold at the time they apply for residence.

✅ **New flexibility for Work to Residence applicants**
The same wage-rate approach will now apply across Work to Residence, Care Workforce Work to Residence, and Transport Work to Residence visas.

✅ **Qualification requirements clarified**
Applicants claiming points for Level 8 and Level 9 qualifications will generally need to provide evidence of a supporting bachelor's degree. Bachelor's degrees will also increase from 3 to 4 SMC points.

✅ **Trades and Technician pathway updates**
The 120-credit requirement has been removed for relevant overseas qualifications, making this pathway more accessible for many skilled workers trained overseas.

✅ **Self-employment restrictions**
Self-employed work experience will not count as directly relevant work experience under the new Trades and Technician and Skilled Work Experience residence pathways.

✅ **Stronger genuine employment requirements**
INZ has clarified its expectations around genuine employment, giving greater focus to roles that are ongoing, genuinely needed, and based in New Zealand.

These changes are designed to simplify residence pathways, provide greater certainty for skilled migrants, and help New Zealand employers attract and retain the workers they need.

💡 If you're planning your pathway to residence, considering a Skilled Migrant Category application, or wondering how these changes may affect you, now is a good time to seek professional advice.

📩 Contact us for a personalised assessment of your eligibility and options under the new settings.

25/05/2026

📢 AEWV UPDATE – English Language Requirements Expanding

From 1 June 2026, English language requirements will also apply to AEWV Skill Level 3 roles, including many trades and hospitality occupations.

This change may affect:
✔️ New AEWV applications
✔️ Existing visa holders
✔️ Employers hiring migrant workers

If you’re unsure how this update could impact your visa or future plans in New Zealand, now is a good time to seek advice and prepare early.

📩 Get in touch with us for personalised immigration guidance.

14/05/2026

Indian students applying for New Zealand student visas are facing increasing processing delays, according to recent Immigration New Zealand data.

Applications from India are reportedly taking almost twice as long to process compared to some other countries, with additional scrutiny and documentation checks contributing to the delays.

The situation highlights the importance of submitting complete, decision-ready applications as early as possible — especially for upcoming study intakes.

If you’re planning to study in New Zealand, early preparation and professional guidance can help reduce unnecessary delays and improve your chances of a smooth visa process.
Get in touch with us and we can take the stress out of the application!

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/indonz/595162/indian-students-face-growing-visa-delays-as-processing-times-climb

Rising application volumes and tighter scrutiny from authorities in New Zealand are believed to be behind the lengthening wait.

19/03/2026

Immigration New Zealand has just made it easier to understand how long visa applications may take 👇

A new processing time tool now gives clearer, more detailed timelines across a wider range of visa types — helping people better plan their travel, study, or work in New Zealand.

Instead of guessing, applicants can now see when 50% and 80% of applications are typically processed, giving a much more realistic expectation of wait times.

A great step toward more transparency and less uncertainty in the immigration process 👏

Give it a go here : https://www.immigration.govt.nz/process-to-apply/waiting-for-a-visa/processing-a-visa-application/how-long-it-takes-to-process-an-application/check-visa-application-processing-time/

If you would like us to check on your behalf, please get in touch!

08/03/2026

📢 Big Changes Coming to New Zealand’s Skilled Migrant Residence Pathway

Immigration New Zealand has announced further updates to the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) that will come into effect in late August 2026.

Key highlights include:
✅ Confirmation of the new 'Trades and Technician pathway', creating clearer residence opportunities for many skilled trades.
✅ Introduction of 'Red and Amber occupation lists' to better target genuine skill shortages.
✅ Simplified median wage settings for applicants across SMC pathways.
✅ Extended English language test validity for some applicants.
✅ A future option to extend an Accredited Employer Work Visa to gain the work experience required for residence.
✅ Additional recognition of qualifications completed in New Zealand.

🔎 If you are currently on a work visa or planning your pathway to residence, these changes could impact your eligibility and timeline.

👉 Send us a message or book a consultation to discuss your pathway to residence in New Zealand.

Fermah Advocates are Licensed New Zealand Immigration Advisers offering expertise & personal commitment to everyone on their immigration journey.

01/03/2026

📢 Important Update for Open Work Visa Holders in New Zealand! 🇳🇿

Heads up, everyone! Immigration New Zealand has just announced upcoming changes to the employment conditions for people holding Open Work Visas, coming into effect from 20 April 2026.

Here’s what you need to know:

👉 Open work visas will now fall into two clear employment condition categories — this helps make it easier to understand what types of work you can and cannot do under your visa.
✨ Some visa holders (like partners of workers, post-study work visas and partners of NZ citizens) can continue to work in any job, anywhere in NZ — including running your own business, freelancing, and sole-trading.
📌 Other visa holders (including working holiday visas and certain protection visas) will need to work for an employer under a contract or agreement.

🔎 What to do now:
✔️ Check your current visa conditions — especially if you work for yourself or in a non-traditional role.
✔️ If you’re unsure about how these changes affect you, reach out to us for more info.

26/02/2026

🇳🇿✈️ UK border rule changes are leaving many dual citizens frustrated and facing unexpected hurdles. Thousands of Kiwi–UK nationals now need a valid British passport or travel documentation to enter the UK — and many only found out at the last minute, describing the change as an “absolute shambles” and struggling with confusion and cost.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by shifting immigration requirements — whether it’s for travel, visas, residency, or family reunification — you don’t have to navigate it alone.
A licensed immigration adviser can help you make sense of the rules, avoid costly mistakes, and set you up for success.

📩 Reach out today to get clear, reliable guidance tailored to your situation. Your journey matters — make sure you’ve got the right support every step of the way!

Dual British citizens need UK passports to travel there from today - but can try their luck with an expired passport if they have to.