Family Reunification Immigration Visa

If you are trying to bring or join your husband/ wife or  a family member you will need to start a family reunification process

Family reunification immigration visa to USA

Spouse immigration visa to USA

Family reunification immigration visa to Canada

Family reunification immigration visa to Australia

Family reunification immigration visa to New Zealand

Family sponsorship Visa Immigration to Canada

Your relatives can live, study and work in Canada if they become permanent residents of Canada. You can sponsor certain relatives to come to Canada if you’re at least 18 years old and a:

• Canadian citizen or
• person registered in Canada as an Indian under the Canadian Indian Act or
• permanent resident of Canada

WHO CAN APPLY TO SPONSOR SPOUSES, PARTNERS OR CHILDREN

WHO CAN BECOME A SPONSOR

You can become a sponsor if you are:

• at least 18 years old
• a Canadian citizen, a person registered in Canada as an Indian under the Canadian Indian Act or a permanent resident living in Canada:
  • if you are a Canadian citizen living outside Canada, you must show that you plan to live in Canada when your sponsored relative becomes a permanent resident
  • you can’t sponsor someone if you are a permanent resident living outside Canada
• able to prove that you are not receiving social assistance for reasons other than a disability
• have enough income to provide for basic needs of any grandchildren (dependent children of a dependent child) of the principal applicant

If you live in Quebec, you must also meet Quebec’s conditions to be a sponsor.

Read more about eligibility requirements in the Complete Guide.

WHO CAN’T BECOME A SPONSOR

You can’t be a sponsor if you:

• have failed to pay:
  • an immigration loan
  • a performance bond
  • family support payments
• have failed to provide for the basic needs of a previously-sponsored relative who received social assistance
• are under a removal order
• are in a penitentiary, jail, reformatory or prison
• receive social assistance for a reason other than a disability
• are still going through the process of bankruptcy (undischarged bankruptcy)
• were sponsored by a spouse or partner and you became a permanent resident less than five years ago
• sponsored a previous spouse or partner and three years have not passed since this person became a permanent resident have already applied to sponsor your current spouse, partner or child and a decision on your application hasn’t been made yet were convicted of a violent or sexual offence, or an offence that caused bodily harm to a relative—or you attempted or threatened to commit any of these offences

WHO YOU CAN SPONSOR

You can sponsor a:

• spouse
• common-law partner
• conjugal partner
• dependent child

To be eligible for permanent residence, the principal applicant and any dependents must not be inadmissible to Canada.

SPOUSE, COMMON-LAW PARTNER OR CONJUGAL PARTNER

You can sponsor your spouse, common-law partner or conjugal partner if:

• he or she is at least 18 years old
• your relationship is genuine (real) and wasn’t entered into just to get permanent resident status in Canada

If your spouse or common-law partner is applying in the Spouse or Common-law Partner in Canada class, he or she must co-habit (live) with you in Canada.

WHO CAN BECOME A SPONSOR

You can become a sponsor if you are:

• at least 18 years old
• a Canadian citizen, a person registered in Canada as an Indian under the Canadian Indian Act or a permanent resident living in Canada:
  • if you are a Canadian citizen living outside Canada, you must show that you plan to live in Canada when your sponsored relative becomes a permanent resident
  • you can’t sponsor someone if you are a permanent resident living outside Canada
• able to prove that you are not receiving social assistance for reasons other than a disability
• have enough income to provide for basic needs of any grandchildren (dependent children of a dependent child) of the principal applicant

If you live in Quebec, you must also meet Quebec’s conditions to be a sponsor.

Read more about eligibility requirements in the Complete Guide.

WHO CAN’T BECOME A SPONSOR

You can’t be a sponsor if you:

• have failed to pay:
  • an immigration loan
  • a performance bond
  • family support payments
• have failed to provide for the basic needs of a previously-sponsored relative who received social assistance
• are under a removal order
• are in a penitentiary, jail, reformatory or prison
• receive social assistance for a reason other than a disability
• are still going through the process of bankruptcy (undischarged bankruptcy)
• were sponsored by a spouse or partner and you became a permanent resident less than five years ago
• sponsored a previous spouse or partner and three years have not passed since this person became a permanent resident have already applied to sponsor your current spouse, partner or child and a decision on your application hasn’t been made yet were convicted of a violent or sexual offence, or an offence that caused bodily harm to a relative—or you attempted or threatened to commit any of these offences

WHO YOU CAN SPONSOR

You can sponsor a:

• spouse
• common-law partner
• conjugal partner
• dependent child

To be eligible for permanent residence, the principal applicant and any dependents must not be inadmissible to Canada.

SPOUSE, COMMON-LAW PARTNER OR CONJUGAL PARTNER

You can sponsor your spouse, common-law partner or conjugal partner if:

• he or she is at least 18 years old
• your relationship is genuine (real) and wasn’t entered into just to get permanent resident status in Canada

If your spouse or common-law partner is applying in the Spouse or Common-law Partner in Canada class, he or she must co-habit (live) with you in Canada.

Sponsor your parents and grandparents

Any relative immigrating to Canada within the Family Class must have a sponsor. Both the person sponsoring a relative and the person wishing to immigrate to Canada must meet certain requirements.

Applicants for permanent residence must go through:

• medical exams
• criminal checks
• background checks

An applicant with a criminal record may not be allowed to enter Canada. People who pose a risk to Canada’s security are not allowed to enter Canada. The applicant may have to provide a certificate from police authorities in the home country.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO SPONSOR A PARENT OR GRANDPARENT

You can sponsor your parent or grandparent if you’re 18 years of age or older, living in Canada and a:

• Canadian citizen or
• person registered in Canada as an Indian under the Canadian Indian Act or
• permanent resident of Canada

If you live in Quebec, you must also meet Quebec’s immigration sponsorship requirements after we approve you as a sponsor.

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES

When you sponsor a parent or grandparent to become a permanent resident of Canada, you must:

• meet certain income requirements
• support that person and their dependents financially

You and the sponsored relative must sign a sponsorship agreement that:

• commits you to provide financial support for your relative (and any other eligible relatives accompanying them):
  • for a period of three to 20 years
  • depending on their age and relationship to you
  • beginning on the date they become a permanent resident
• states that the person becoming a permanent resident will make every effort to support themselves

Dependent children under age 19 do not have to sign the agreement.

Quebec residents must sign an “undertaking” with the province of Quebec. This is a contract that binds your sponsorship.

WHO ISN’T ELIGIBLE TO SPONSOR A PARENT OR GRANDPARENT

You may not be eligible to sponsor your parent or grandparent if you:

• are in prison
• defaulted on an immigration loan (late or missed payments)
• have declared bankruptcy and haven’t been released from it yet
• received government financial assistance for reasons other than a disability
• didn’t pay a court-ordered support order, such as alimony or child support
• didn’t provide the financial support you agreed to when you signed a sponsorship agreement to sponsor another relative in the past
• were convicted of a violent criminal offense, any offense against a relative or any sexual offense, depending on circumstances, such as:
  • the nature of the offense
  • how long ago it occurred
  • whether a record suspension (formerly called “pardons” in Canada) was issued

Other factors not in this list might also make you ineligible to sponsor a relative.

Family and Spousal Visas to Australia

Family-Based Immigrant Visas to the USA

Two groups of family based immigrant visa categories, including immediate relatives and family preference categories, are provided under the provisions of United States immigration law, specifically the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).

Immediate Relative Immigrant Visas (Unlimited): These visa types are based on a close family relationship with a United States (U.S.) citizen described as an Immediate Relative (IR). The number of immigrants in these categories is not limited each fiscal year. Immediate relative visa types include:

• IR-1: Spouse of a U.S. Citizen – Learn More
• IR-2: Unmarried Child Under 21 Years of Age of a U.S. Citizen
• IR-3: Orphan adopted abroad by a U.S. Citizen – Learn More
• IR-4: Orphan to be adopted in the U.S. by a U.S. citizen – Learn More
• IR-5: Parent of a U.S. Citizen who is at least 21 years old

Family Preference Immigrant Visas (Limited): These visa types are for specific, more distant, family relationships with a U.S. citizen and some specified relationships with a Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR). There are fiscal year numerical limitations on family preference immigrants, shown at the end of each category. The family preference categories are:

• Family First Preference (F1): Unmarried sons and daughters of U.S. citizens, and their minor children, if any. (23,400)
• Family Second Preference (F2): Spouses, minor children, and unmarried sons and daughters (age 21 and over) of LPRs. At least seventy-seven percent of all visas available for this category will go to the spouses and children; the remainder is allocated to unmarried sons and daughters. (114,200)
• Family Third Preference (F3): Married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens, and their spouses and minor children. (23,400)
• Family Fourth Preference (F4): Brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens, and their spouses and minor children, provided the U.S. citizens are at least 21 years of age. (65,000)

Required Documentation

In general, the following documents are required:

• Passport(s) valid for six months beyond the intended date of entry into the United States, unless longer validity is specifically requested by the U.S. Embassy/Consulate in your country. Please review the instructions for guidance.
• Affidavit of Support (Form I-864, I-864A, I-864 EZ, or I-864W, as appropriate) from the petitioner/U.S. sponsor. In addition to this guidance, tips are available for completing the affidavit of support (tips for I-864, tips for I-864A, tips for I-864EZ, and tips for I-864W).
• Form DS-260, Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration Application.
• Preview a sample DS-260 (6.4MB).
• Two (2) 2×2 photographs. See the required photo format explained in Photograph Requirements.
• Civil Documents for the applicant (and petitioner in F4 cases). See Documents the Applicant Must Submit for more specific information about documentation requirements, including information on which documents may need to be translated. The consular officer may ask for more information during your visa interview. Bring your original civil documents (or certified copies), such as birth and marriage certificates, as well as legible photocopies of the original civil documents, and any required translations to your immigrant visa interview. Original documents and translations can then be returned to you.
• Completed Medical Examination Forms – These are provided by the panel physician after you have completed your medical examination and vaccinations.

Fees

Fees are charged for the following services:

• Filing an immigrant Petition for Alien Relative, Form I-130 (this fee is charged by USCIS).
• Processing an immigrant visa application, Form DS-260 (see Note below)
• Medical examination and required vaccinations (costs vary)
• Other costs may include: translations; photocopying charges; fees for obtaining the documents you need for the immigrant visa application (such as passport, police certificates, birth certificates, etc.); and expenses for travel to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate for your visa interview. Costs vary from country to country and case to case.

Immigrant Visa for a Spouse of a USA Citizen

In general, the following documents are required:

• Passport(s) valid for six months beyond the intended date of entry into the United States, unless longer validity is specifically requested by the U.S. Embassy/Consulate in your country. Please review the instructions for guidance.
• Affidavit of Support (I-864, I-864A, I-864 EZ, or I-864W, as appropriate) from the petitioner/U.S. sponsor.
• Form DS-260, Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration Application.Preview a sample DS-260 (6.4MB).
• Two (2) 2×2 photographs. See the required photo format explained in Photograph Requirements.
• Civil Documents for the applicant. See Documents the Applicant Must Submit for more specific information about documentation requirements, including information on which documents may need to be translated. The consular officer may ask for more information during your visa interview. Bring your original civil documents (or certified copies) such as birth and marriage certificates, as well as legible photocopies all original civil documents, and any required translations to your immigrant visa interview.
• Completed Medical Examination Forms – These are provided by the panel physician after you have completed your medical examination and vaccinations.

Fees

Fees are charged for the following services:

• Filing an immigrant Petition for Alien Relative, Form I-130 (this fee is charged by USCIS).
• Processing an immigrant visa application, Form DS-260 (see Note below)
• Medical examination and required vaccinations (costs vary)
• Other costs may include: translations; photocopying charges; fees for obtaining the documents you need for the immigrant visa application (such as passport, police certificates, birth certificates, etc.); and expenses for travel to the U.S. embassy or consulate for your visa interview. Costs vary from country to country and case to case.

Visas for Partners & Children to New Zealand

New Zealand offers a range of visa options for partners and children.
If you are applying for a New Zealand visa based on your relationship, you and your partner will need to meet certain criteria.

• Your partnership needs to be genuine and stable.
• You must be living with your partner.
• You must meet health and character requirements.
• You must have the support of your partner.
• Your partner must be eligible to support your application.

Check the specific requirements for your situation as they vary for temporary and resident visas.

If you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident, you also may be able to sponsor a partner’s visa. However, you will need to prove that New Zealand is your primary place of residence before you can support the application.

You should also consider all visa options for coming to New Zealand, as some are eligible for more services than others.

Temporary visas

You can apply for a temporary work or visitor visa to be with your partner in New Zealand if you both meet the criteria.

If your application is dependent on your partner’s temporary visa, your visa will only be valid for the same time period as theirs.

If your partner is a New Zealand citizen or resident you can apply for a work or visitor visa of between 12- 24 months duration, depending on the length of the relationship.

Partner of a New Zealander Work Visa

DURATION
If you’ve been living with your partner for a year or more, up to 2 years, otherwise up to a year

With this visa you can

• Come to New Zealand with your partner.
• Work in New Zealand.
• Study for up to 3 months.

Things to note

• You don’t need to have a New Zealand job offer to apply.
• You can’t include dependent children in your visa application, but they can apply for visas based on their relationship to you.

Partner of a Worker Visitor Visa

DURATION
For the same time as your partner’s work visa

With this visa you can

• Join your partner.
• Explore New Zealand.
• Study for up to 3 months.

Things to note

• You can’t apply for this visa if your partner’s work visa is a Working Holiday Visa, a Skilled Migrant Category or Silver Fern Job Search Work Visa, a Recognised Seasonal Employer Limited Visa, or a Supplementary Seasonal Employment, Fishing Crew or Domestic Staff of a Diplomat Work Visa.
• You can’t work in New Zealand on a visitor visa.

Resident visas

You can be included as a secondary applicant in your partner’s application under most resident visa categories, including under the Skilled Migrant Category or Residence from Work. There may be an English language requirement for these applications.

You can also apply for a resident visa if you are in a relationship with a New Zealand citizen or resident, under the Family Partnership category.

Children

Your dependent children can apply to join you in New Zealand. The Immigration New Zealand website defines when a child is considered dependent.

Temporary visa

Your dependent children can apply for student or visitor visas to be with you in New Zealand.

School-aged dependent children need a student visa to be able to attend primary, intermediate or secondary schools, and do not pay international fees unless they are in tertiary study. Children younger than school age can apply for a visitor visa. A student visa is not needed to attend pre-school in New Zealand.

Dependent Child Student Visa

DURATION
A dependent child can stay for the same length of time as their parent’s visa.

AGE RANGE
19 and under

With this visa you can

• A dependent child can join their parent in New Zealand.
• A dependent child can study at a primary or secondary school in New Zealand.
• A dependent child can be treated as a domestic student, which means you don’t have to pay tuition fees for them to go to school.

Things to note

• If your child wants to study at tertiary level, they should apply for a ‘Fee Paying Student Visa’ instead.
• Dependent children of work visa holders aren’t eligible for this visa if their parent’s work visa was granted for a working holiday, for a Silver Fern or Skilled Migrant job search, to work in seasonal employment, or to work as crew of a fishing vessel.
• Dependent children of Student Visa holders are only eligible for this visa if one of their parents is in New Zealand for an approved student exchange scheme, is enrolled in a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programme in a New Zealand university, or has a New Zealand Aid Programme Scholarship.

Child of a Worker Visitor Visa

DURATION
For the same time allowed by your work visa

AGE RANGE
19 and under

With this visa you can

• Have your children join you in New Zealand.
• Send your children to school in New Zealand for up to 3 months.
• Allow your children to explore New Zealand as visitors.

Things to note

• Your children won’t be eligible for this visa if your work visa was granted for a working holiday, Silver Fern or Skilled Migrant job search, to work in seasonal employment, or as crew of a fishing vessel, or as domestic staff of diplomatic, consular or official staff.
• You can apply for visas for your children at the same time you apply for your work visa. Your children will only be granted visas after your own application is approved.
• If you want your children to study for more than 3 months, they’ll need student visas.

DV-1 Visas “Green Card Lottery” To USA

Section 203(c) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) provides for a class of immigrants known as “diversity immigrants,” from countries with historically low rates of immigration to the United States. A limited number of visas are available each fiscal year. The DVs are distributed among six geographic regions and no single country may receive more than seven percent of the available DVs in any one year.

For a list of countries/areas by region whose natives are eligible for DV-2019 and DV-2018, please refer to the DV Instructions.

The requirements for the DV program are established by U.S. immigration law. If you are planning to register for the DV program, be sure to look closely at the requirements for this type of visa.

Employer Sponsored Immigrant Visas

Employment-Based Immigrant Visa to the USA

Every fiscal year (October 1st – September 30th), approximately 140,000 employment-based immigrant visas are made available to qualified applicants under the provisions of U.S. immigration law. Employment based immigrant visas are divided into five preference categories:

1. Employment First Preference (E1): Priority Workers
2. Employment Second Preference (E2): Professionals Holding Advanced Degrees and Persons of Exceptional Ability
3. Employment Third Preference (E3): Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Unskilled Workers (Other Workers)
4. Employment Fourth Preference (E4): Certain Special Immigrants
5. Employment Fifth Preference (E5): Immigrant Investors

Fees

Fees are charged for the following services:

• Filing of Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker, Form I-140, or Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant, Form I-360 (this fee is charged by USCIS)
• Processing an immigrant visa application, Form DS-260
• Medical examination and required vaccinations (costs vary)
• Other costs may include: translations; photocopying charges; fees for obtaining the documents you need for the immigrant visa application (such as passport, police certificates, birth certificates, etc.); and expenses for travel to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate for your visa interview. Costs vary from country to country and case to case.

• Required Documentation

  In general, the following documents are required:

  • Passport(s) valid for six months beyond the intended date of entry into the United States, unless longer validity is specifically requested by the U.S. Embassy/Consulate in your country. Please review the instructions for guidance.
  • Form DS-260, Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration Application.
  • Two (2) 2×2 photographs. See the required photo format explained in Photograph Requirements.
  • Civil Documents for the applicant. See Documents the Applicant Must Submit for more specific information about documentation requirements, including information on which documents may need to be translated. The consular officer may ask for more information during your visa interview. Bring your original civil documents (or certified copies) such as birth and marriage certificates, as well as legible photocopies of the original civil documents, and any required translations to your immigrant visa interview. Original documents and translations can then be returned to you.
  • Financial Support – At your immigrant visa interview, you must demonstrate to the consular officer that you will not become a public charge in the United States. (NOTE: For applicants where a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (LPR) relative filed the Form I-140 petition or where such a relative has a significant ownership interest in the entity that filed the petition, that relative must complete Form I-864, Affidavit of Support Under Section 213A of the Act, on behalf of the applicant.)
  • Completed Medical Examination Forms – These are provided by the panel physician after you have completed your medical examination and vaccinations

Work Visa to Canada

A work permit or authorization to work without a permit is required in order for a foreign national to be allowed to work in Canada. There are specific requirements that must be met by the foreign national and the employer under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) or the International Mobility Program (IMP).

There are two types of work permits: open work permits and employer-specific work permits.
An open work permit allows you to work for any employer in Canada, except for an employer:

• who is listed as ineligible on the list of employers who have failed to comply with the conditions, or
• who, on a regular basis, offers striptease, erotic dance, escort services or erotic massages.

You can only get an open work permit in specific situations.

An employer-specific work permit allows you to work according to the conditions on your work permit, which include:

• the name of the employer you can work for,
• how long you can work, and
• the location where you can work (if applicable).

General eligibility requirements

No matter where you apply, you must:

• prove to an officer that you will leave Canada when your work permit expires,
• show that you have enough money to take care of yourself and your family members during your stay in Canada and to return home,
• obey the law and have no record of criminal activity (we may ask you to give us a police clearance certificate),
• not be a danger to Canada’s security,
• be in good health and have a medical exam, if needed,
• not plan to work for an employer listed with the status “ineligible” on the list of employers who failed to comply with the conditions,
• not plan to work for an employer who, on a regular basis, offers striptease, erotic dance, escort services or erotic massages, and
• give the officer any other documents they ask for to prove you can enter the country.

Working Schengen Visa to Europe

Working visa is an authorization of the designated country/countries of destination within the Schengen Area issued to the citizens of countries that have mandatory visa requirements from the Schengen Zone for the sole purpose of traveling in the designated Schengen country/countries in order to engage in a working activity commonly ordained by the Company Institution inside the Schengen Zone. The holder of this type of visa is not required to have the citizenship of the designated country in order to be working for a Company Institution in the Schengen Area as well as reside alone or with his/her family in the designated Schengen country.

Who needs a Working Schengen Visa?

Citizens of the USA, Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, as well as EU citizens may apply for their residence permit after entering the Schengen territory without a visa.

Citizens of other countries must apply and get a residence permit before entering the Schengen territories for work purposes. This option is also available to the citizens of the countries who could otherwise enter without a visa first.

What documentation is required?

First of all, one must download the application form from the internet and fill it completely and sincerely. You can electronically fill in the form for a Schengen Visa and print it out.

• One photo is to be attached; the photo must have a passport format, full-face capture, and a light background. The photo must be recently taken.
• The passport as well as all the copies of your previous visas, valid for at least 3 months prior to your departure is required. The passport must have at least two blank pages.
• One must have a copy of the flight reservation for the time intended to be traveling. It is not recommendable to buy the ticket before getting the visa, if not necessary.
• The travel medical insurance policy is to be secured, covering any medical emergency with hospital care and travel back to one’s native country due to medical motives. This health insurance policy has to cover expenses up to 30,000 euros, the sum depending on the residing days, and also it has to be valid in all Schengen countries. The health insurance policy must be purchased before picking up the visa and if your visa is refused you can cancel it!
• Attention, two application forms must be filled
• Proof of Accommodation
• The employment contract between the applicant and the future employer residing in the Schengen territory.

Depending on the embassy/consulate that you will be applying to, they might require additional documents to assure the request and the information are genuine, as for example, some embassies/consulates require a certificate that proves you have no legal issues pending or a criminal record. As you must personally hand the documentation at the previously made appointment (as usually it is required), the person in charge at the embassy/consulate will notify you if there is any additional documentation needed and the nature of that documentation.

Work Visa to New Zealand

If you’re planning to work here temporarily and you’re not an NZ or Australian citizen or permanent resident, you’ll need a work visa.

Who needs a visa

You might be able to get a work visa if:

• you have a job offer from an NZ employer
• you’re coming for a particular work-related purpose or event
• you’ve been studying here and now want to work, or
• your partner’s here and you want to join them and work.

You may only need a special visitor visa, such as a Business Visitor Visa, if you’re coming here for things like:

• business negotiations
• a short-term sales trip
• an official trade mission recognised by the NZ government, or
• work for an overseas government.

Each visa has different criteria and different application processes. Decide which visa you need before applying.

You’re coming here on holiday but want to do some work

Working holiday scheme visas are available to people from over 40 countries. They’re usually for people aged 18-30 — but some countries offer them up to age 35.
If you’re applying for a working holiday visa make sure you check the requirements for your country.

You have skills that are currently needed in NZ

If you’ve been offered a job here because your employer hasn’t been able to find a New Zealander who’s qualified to fill the position, apply for an Essential Skills Visa.

You’re coming to NZ for a work-related event

You can come to NZ for things like conferences, secondments or to work at events.

You’ve been studying here and now want to work

If you’ve been studying in NZ on a student visa and have finished your studies, you might be able to stay here for work. You’ll need to already have a job offer that’s relevant to what you studied.

Your partner lives here and you want to join them

If your partner lives in NZ, you might be able to work here temporarily so you can be with them.

You’ve been accepted into a work exchange scheme

You can come to NZ as part of a work exchange scheme, but you’ll already need to be accepted into an approved scheme before you apply.

You’re from China and have skills needed here

If you’re a Chinese citizen you can work in NZ if you’ve been offered a full time job in an occupation listed in the China special work category or the China skilled workers category.

You’re from the Philippines, Vietnam or Indonesia and have skills needed here

You’ll need to have a full time job offer in an occupation listed in the special work instructions list for the Philippines, Vietnam or Indonesia.

You’re between 20 and 35 and are highly skilled

You’ll need to have a bachelor’s degree or higher qualification, or a recognised trade qualification with at least 2 years work experience and have a certain level of English skills.

You’re a religious worker and want to help NZ communities practise their religious beliefs

If you have at least 2 years of religious work experience or training, you may be able to come here to work for a religious organisation. You’ll need to already have a job offer from a registered charity.

Providing medical certificates

Depending on how long you’re staying here and where you’re from, you may have to provide medical certificates.

If you’re staying 6 to 12 months

You’ll need to provide a chest x-ray certificate (form number INZ 1096) if you’re from, or have spent more than 3 months in, any country not on this list of countries with low incidence of tuberculosis.

You’ll need to provide a medical certificate (form number INZ 1007) if you’ll be in NZ longer than 6 months but less than a year and you’ve ever:

• had a blood or plasma transfusion
• been exposed to an infectious disease like HIV or Hepatitis B or C
• used intravenous drugs.

Certificates need to be less than 3 months old and from an approved doctor.

If you’re staying more than a year

You’ll need to provide:

• a chest x-ray certificate (form number INZ 1096)
• a medical certificate (form number INZ 1007).

Certificates need to be less than 3 months old and from an approved doctor.

If your partner is an NZ citizen or resident

You’ll need to provide:

• a chest x-ray certificate (form number INZ 1096).
• a limited medical certificate (form number INZ 1201).

How to apply

You’ll need to provide:

• 2 colour passport photos
• a passport that’s valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave NZ
• medical certificates if required
• police certificates if required
• translations of documents not in English if required
• the correct application fee
• any other documents or information requested.

Types of work visas

Refugee and Asylum Visa

Refugee and Asylum visa is offered by some countries to certain people need protection in their country.

Refugee and asylum visa to Australia

Refugee and asylum visa to Canada

Refugee and Humanitarian Visas to Australia

Refugees and Asylum To Canada

Canada offers refugee protection to some people in Canada who fear persecution or who would be in danger if they had to leave. Some dangers they may face include:

• torture
• a risk to their life, or
• a risk of cruel and unusual treatment or punishment.

If you feel you could face one of these risks if you go back to your home country or the country where you normally live, you may be able to seek protection in Canada as a refugee.

Canada offers refugee protection to people in Canada who fear persecution and who are unwilling or unable to return to their home country.

ELIGIBILITY

Some people are not eligible to claim refugee protection in Canada.

Note – if you are under a removal order, you cannot make a refugee claim.

Officers who review your refugee claim will decide if it will be referred to the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB). The IRB is an independent board that decides immigration and refugee matters.

The IRB decides who is a Convention refugee or a person in need of protection.

Convention refugees are outside their home country or the country they normally live in. They are not able to return because of a well-founded fear of persecution based on:

• race
• religion
• political opinion
• nationality, or
• membership in a social group, such as women or people of a particular sexual orientation.

A person in need of protection is a person in Canada who cannot return to their home country safely. This is because if they return, they would be subject to a:

• danger of torture
• risk to their life, or
• risk of cruel and unusual treatment or punishment.

Your refugee claim may not be eligible to be referred to the IRB if you:

• have been recognized as a Convention refugee by another country that you can return to.
• have already been granted protected person status in Canada.
• arrived via the Canada-United States border.
• are not admissible to Canada on security grounds, or because of criminal activity or human rights violations.
• made a previous refugee claim that was not found eligible.
• made a previous refugee claim that was rejected by the IRB.
• abandoned or withdrew a previous refugee claim.

The IRB website has more about making an asylum claim in Canada.

SAFE THIRD COUNTRY AGREEMENT

Canada has an agreement with the United States where people who want to make a refugee claim must do so in the first safe country they arrive in.

This means that if you enter Canada at a land border from the United States, you cannot make a refugee claim in Canada. In some cases, this rule does not apply (for example, if you have family in Canada).

Refugees and asylum to Canada official page

Investor Visa

Treaty Trader & Investor Visa to the USA

Generally, a citizen of a foreign country who wishes to enter the United States must first obtain a visa, either a nonimmigrant visa for temporary stay, or an immigrant visa for permanent residence. Treaty Trader (E-1) and Treaty Investor (E-2) visas are for citizens of countries with which the United States maintains treaties of commerce and navigation. For a list of participating countries, select Treaty Countries.

You must be coming to the United States to:

• engage in substantial trade, including trade in services or technology, in qualifying activities, principally between the United States and the treaty country; or
•  develop and direct the operations of an enterprise in which you have invested a substantial amount of capital.

These are some examples of types of enterprises that constitute trade under E visa provisions.

•  international banking
•  insurance
•  transportation
•  tourism
•  communications

To qualify for a Treaty Trader (E-1) Visa

• You must be a citizen of a treaty country.
• The trading firm for which you plan to come to the United States must have the nationality of the treaty country, meaning persons with the treaty country’s nationality must own at least 50 percent of the enterprise.
• The international trade must be substantial, meaning that there is a sizeable and continuing volume of trade.
• More than 50 percent of the international trade involved must be between the United States and the treaty country.
  Trade means the international exchange of goods, services, and technology. Title of the trade items must pass from one party to the other.
• You must be an essential employee, employed in a supervisory or executive capacity, or possess highly specialised skills essential to the efficient operation of the firm. Ordinary skilled or unskilled workers do not qualify.

To qualify for a Treaty Investor (E-2) Visa

• The investor, either a person, partnership or corporate entity, must have the citizenship of a treaty country.
• If a business, at least 50 percent of the business must be owned by persons with the treaty country’s nationality.
• The investment must be substantial, with investment funds or assets committed and irrevocable. It must be sufficient to ensure the successful operation of the enterprise.
• The investment must be a real operating enterprise, an active commercial or entrepreneurial undertaking. A paper organization, speculative or idle investment does not qualify. Uncommitted funds in a bank account or similar security are not considered an investment.
• It must generate significantly more income than just to provide a living to you and family, or it must have a significant economic impact in the United States.
• You must have control of the funds, and the investment must be at risk in the commercial sense. Loans secured with the assets of the investment enterprise are not allowed.
• You must be coming to the United States to develop and direct the enterprise. If you are not the principal investor, you must be considered an essential employee, employed in a supervisory, executive, or highly specialized skill capacity. Ordinary skilled and unskilled workers do not qualify.

Application Fee $205

Required Documentation

Gather and prepare the following required documents before your visa interview:

• Passport valid for travel to the United States – Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your period of stay in the United States (unless exempt by country-specific agreements). If more than one person is included in your passport, each person who needs a visa must submit a separate application.
•  Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160 confirmation page
•  Application fee payment receipt, if you are required to pay before your interview
• Photo – You will upload your photo while completing the online Form DS-160. If the photo upload fails, you must bring one printed photo in the format explained in the Photograph Requirements.
• Nonimmigrant Treaty Trader/Treaty Investor Application, Form DS-156E – This form is required for:

1.  all E-1 treaty trader visa applicants; and
2.  E-2 treaty investor visa applicants, if you are an Executive/Manager/Essential Employee.

Resources: travel.state.gov

Investor Visa to Australia

Features

This visa is a permanent residence visa. You will be able to travel in and out of Australia for five years.

Eligibility

You might be able to get this visa if you:

• hold an Investor (Provisional) (subclass 162) visa
• have maintained a designated investment of AUD $1,500,000 for four years.

Length of stay

Permanently

Cost

From AUD 2,225

Global processing times

Unavailable due to low volume of applications.

See Alos

INVESTOR RETIREMENT VISA TO AUSTRALIA

Features

This temporary visa is for self-funded retirees who have no dependents and want to live in Australia during their retirement years.

Eligibility

You might be able to get this visa if you:

• are 55 years or older
• have no dependents (other than a partner, if any)
• meet income requirements
• are able to make a significant long term financial investment in Australia.

Length of stay

Four years

Cost

From AUD 330

Global processing times

Unavailable due to low volume of applications

Visas to Invest and Innovate to New Zealand

If you have capital and the right skills, we can offer you dedicated immigration pathways.
These visas provide the opportunity for you to settle, or at least spend considerable time here, enjoying all our beautiful country has to offer. It’s all part of our commitment to welcoming overseas investment.

Investor visas

Our Investor business migration visas are for investors who want to gain residence in New Zealand.

The Investor Visa (Investor 2 Category) is an option if you plan to invest a minimum of NZ$3 million over a four-year period. If you’re looking to invest $NZ10 million or more then the Investor Plus Visa (Investor 1 Category) could be a better option. Below are the main differences between these two options.

Recent changes have been made to our investor visa policies to further recognise and reward higher levels of business experience, English language skills ad growth oriented investments.

Criteria for approval

Investor Visa
$ 3mNZD

Invested for 4 years

146 days in NZ in each of the last three years of a four year investment period or 438 days in NZ over the four year investment period*.

Additional requirements:

• Minimum 3 years business experience
• English language requirements apply
• Family members must have English language ability the same as principal applicant or pre-purchase ESOL tuition
• Maximum applicant age 65 years

Investor Plus Visa
$10mNZD

Invested for 3 years

44 days in NZ in each of the last 2 years of a three year investment period or 88 days over the three year investment period*.
No additional requirements.

Rewards for growth investments

If you invest at least 25% of your investment funds into assets other than Bonds and Philanthropic Investment, Investor visa holders will be able to meet their time in New Zealand requirement flexibly, with Investor 2 visa holders required to spend 438 days over the 4 year investment period and Investor Plus visa holders needing to spend 88 days over the 3 year investment period.

Investor 2 visa holders who invest at least 50% of your investment funds into assets other than Bonds and Philanthropic Investment will qualify for a reduction of $0.5m of the investment amount. For example, if you nominate $3m of investment funds and invest $1.5m outside of Bonds and Philanthropic Investment, you will only be required to invest a further $1m to meet the visa requirements.

Acceptable investments

If you’re interested in applying under one of our investor policies, the opportunities you take up must fit our ‘acceptable investment’ criteria. Broadly speaking, acceptable investments can be:

• Equity in NZ firms, public or private. An equity investment can be active or passive, and be made direct or via managed funds (only the proportion of the Fund that is invested in NZ is counted as acceptable).
• Bonds, issued by the NZ Government, NZ local authorities or approved NZ banks, finance companies or firms.
• New residential property development that is not for the investor’s personal use and designed to make a commercial return on the open market.
• Up to 15% of the investment total can be philanthropic investment.

Generally, to be considered acceptable, an investment must:

• Be capable of a commercial return under normal circumstances.
• Be invested in New Zealand in New Zealand currency.
• Have the potential to contribute to New Zealand’s economy.
• Not be for the personal use of the investor.

Investment funds

You can nominate a mix of funds and/or assets to invest. They must be equivalent to at least NZ$3 million for Investor or NZ$10 million for Investor Plus, though you may nominate more, depending on the points claimed in your Expression of Interest (EOI).

You’ll need to provide evidence showing that your investment and/or assests are owned by you or jointly by you and your partner and/or dependent children if they are included in the application.

You’ll also need to provide evidence showing that your intended investment funds:

• are unencumbered, i.e. not subject to any mortgage, lien, charge and/or encumbrance (whether equitable or otherwise) or any other creditor claims
• have been earned or acquired legally
• are transferable through the banking system or through a foreign exchange company that uses the banking system (Immigration New Zealand will not be able to approve your application if you are unable to transfer funds to New Zealand through the banking system).

If your residence is approved in principle

With either category, you’ll have 12 months to transfer your investment funds in an acceptable investment in New Zealand. You’ll need to provide verifiable documents to show that the funds you transfer to New Zealand came from the funds and/or assets that you nominate.

You can apply to have this timeframe extended and you can also apply for a work visa so you can travel to New Zealand to look into investment opportunities.

After residence is approved

For the Investor Plus category, you’ll need to keep your investment funds in an acceptable investment for three years. You’ll also have to spend at least 44 days in New Zealand each year in years two and three of your three-year investment period or 88 days over the three-year investment period*.

For the Investor category, you’ll need to keep your investment funds in an acceptable investment for four years. You will also have to spend at least 146 days each year in New Zealand in years two, three and four of your four-year investment period or 438 days over the four-year investment period.

Investor Immigrant Visa to Canada

The application period for the Immigrant Investor Venture Capital (IIVC) Pilot Program is closed. The Department is not accepting applications at this time.

Offical Page

If you are an international investor with the skills and abilities needed to contribute to our economy and integrate into Canadian society, you may be eligible to apply for permanent residence under the Immigrant Investor Venture Capital (IIVC) Pilot Program.

You must meet all of the requirements listed below to be eligible to apply under the Immigrant Investor Venture Capital Pilot Program. You must also plan to live outside the province of Quebec.

PERSONAL NET WORTH

You must have a personal net worth of CDN $10 million or more. Your net worth must have been acquired through lawful, private sector business or investment activities.

PROOF OF PERSONAL NET WORTH

We will require applicants whose applications can be considered for our second stage review to obtain a due diligence report at their expense from one of the following designated service providers:

• BDO USA, LLP
• Deloitte Forensic Inc.
• EY
• KPMG LLP
• PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) LLP
• Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton Consulting Inc.

The due diligence report is an independent examination and validation of your past business or investment experience, source of funds and personal net worth.

The report will include the service provider’s opinion as to whether your wealth was acquired through lawful, private sector business or investment activities. Their report would also flag any potentially negative information for an IRCC officer to consider.

Non-guaranteed investment in a venture capital fund

You must be willing and able to make an at-risk investment (non-guaranteed) of CDN $2 million in the Immigrant Investor Venture Capital (IIVC) Fund.

If you are one of the immigrant investors approved under this program, you will be required to enter into an agreement with us committing a sum of CDN $2 million to the IIVC Fund for approximately 15 years.

As with any venture capital investment, you could receive proceeds over time or at the end of the investment term. Proceeds will depend on the fund’s performance and will be based on its gains or losses, including expenses and fees incurred to manage it.

However, this would be an at-risk investment. This means that there is no guarantee of a return and it is possible that you could lose some or all of your investment.

Find out more about how investments to the Immigrant Investor Venture Capital Fund will be managed.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

You must:

• prove your proficiency in English or French in all four language abilities (speaking, reading, listening and writing)
  • take a language test approved by CIC;
  • meet the minimum language levels of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 5 in either English or French for all four language abilities (you can use your test results to find your CLB level); and
• include the original language test results when you apply
  • your language test results must be less than two years old on the day IRCC receives your application.

EDUCATION

You must have:

• a completed Canadian post-secondary degree, diploma or certificate of at least one yearOR
• a foreign equivalent, as validated by an original Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report from a CIC-designated organization. The ECA report must indicate that your completed foreign education credential is equal to a completed Canadian post-secondary education credential of at least one year.

The outcome stated in your ECA report must match one of the acceptable assessment outcomes for you to be eligible to apply.

INADMISSIBILITY

Some people are inadmissible – they are not allowed to come to Canada. Many things can make you inadmissible, such as being involved in criminal activity, in human rights violations or in organized crime.

You can also be inadmissible for security, health or financial reasons.

If you are inadmissible to Canada, you cannot apply under the Immigrant Investor Venture Capital Pilot Program as your application will be refused.

Skilled Worker Immigration Visa

This stream is for Points-tested skilled workers who are not sponsored by an employer or family member or nominated by a state or territory government. It allows you to live and work in Australia, Canada or New Zealand as a permanent resident.

Skilled worker immigration visa to Australia

Skilled worker immigration visa to Canada

Skilled Independent Visa to Australia

Features

This stream is for Points-tested skilled workers who are not sponsored by an employer or family member or nominated by a state or territory government. It allows you to live and work in Australia as a permanent resident.

For the Skilled Independent (Points-tested) stream you need to submit an expression of interest.
If you are a New Zealand citizen you may be eligible to apply for the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) (New Zealand) stream.

Eligibility

• be invited to apply for the visa
• have an occupation that is on the relevant list of eligible skilled occupations
• have a suitable skills assessment for that occupation
• satisfy a points test requirement
• be under 45 years of age
• have Competent English.

You must be able to meet these eligibility criteria at the time you are invited to apply for the visa. Other visa criteria also apply.

Length of stay

Permanently

Cost

From AUD 3,670

Global processing times

75 per cent of applications processed in 4 months

Skilled Nominated Visa to Australia

Features

This visa allows skilled workers who are nominated by an Australian state or territory government live and work in Australia as a permanent resident.

Eligibility

• be nominated by an Australian state or territory
• be invited to apply for the visa
• have an occupation that is on the relevant list of eligible skilled occupations
• have a suitable skills assessment for that occupation
• satisfy a points test requirement
• be under 45 years of age
• have Competent English.

You must be able to meet these eligibility criteria at the time you are invited to apply for the visa. Other visa criteria also apply.

Length of stay

Permanently

Cost

From AUD 3,670

Global processing times

75 per cent of applications processed in 7 months

Skilled—Recognised Graduate Visa to Australia

Features

This visa allows:

• recent engineering graduates of recognised institutions to gain up to 18 months of skilled work experience.

Eligibility

You might be able to get this visa if you:

• are younger than 31 years of age
• have completed an engineering degree at a recognised institution in the past two years.

Length of stay

18 months

Cost

From AUD 365

Global processing times

75 per cent of applications are processed in 80 days

Skilled Regional Visa to Australia

Features

This visa allows skilled workers to live and work in regional or low-population growth metropolitan areas of Australia for up to four years.
There are three pathways to the visa:

• the Extended stay pathway
• the Invited pathway
• the Subsequent entry pathway

This visa might lead to the permanent Skilled Regional visa (subclass 887).

Eligibility

Invited Pathway

• been nominated by an Australian State or Territory government agency or sponsored by an eligible relative
• have an occupation that is on the relevant list of eligible skilled occupations
• have a suitable skills assessment for that occupation
• satisfy a points test requirement
• be under 45 years of age
• have Competent English.

Extended Stay Pathway

Hold a provisional visa in subclass 475, 487, 495 or 496.

Subsequent entry pathway

Be a family member of someone who currently holds a Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 489) or a visa in subclass 475, 487, 495 or 496.

Length of stay

Up to four years

Cost

From AUD 3,670

Global processing times

• Skilled Regional: 75 per cent of applications processed in 6 months
• State/Territory Nominated visa: 75 per cent of applications processed in 5 months

Skilled Regional Visa to Australia

Features

This is a permanent visa for people who have lived and worked in specified areas of regional Australia.

Eligibility

You might be able to get this visa if you:

• are in Australia
• hold a

1. Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 489)
2. Skilled Independent Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 495)
3. Skilled Designated Area Sponsored (Provisional) visa (subclass 496)
4. Skilled Regional Sponsored visa (subclass 475 or 487)

or

• Bridging visa A or Bridging visa B after applying for a subclass 495, 487 or 489 visa
• have lived in a specified regional area of Australia for at least two years
• have worked full time in a specified regional area for at least one year
• meet health and character requirements.

Length of stay

Permanently

Cost

From AUD 375

Global processing times

75 per cent of applications processed in 9 months.

Skilled Worker Express Entry Immigration to Canada

Canada chooses skilled immigrants as permanent residents based on their ability to settle in Canada and take part in our economy. Our system to manage how people with skilled work experience apply to immigrate to Canada is called Express Entry.

Express Entry is used to manage applications for permanent residence for these programs:

• Federal Skilled Worker Program
• Federal Skilled Trades Program
• Canadian Experience Class

Provinces and territories can also recruit candidates from the Express Entry pool through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) to meet local labor market needs.

Ministerial Instructions set out the rules for the Express Entry application management system.

An Express Entry profile is a form where you give us information about your:

• skills
• education
• language ability
• work experience and
• other details

The information in your profile will help them see if you are eligible for an immigration program managed by Express Entry. If you meet the criteria, we will accept you into our pool of candidates.

If you are in the Express Entry pool, you can start your job search by creating a Job Match account with Job Bank. Once you come to Canada, you can continue using Job Bank to find a job.

A Job Match account with Job Bank is an easy, online tool to help match you with employers looking for workers with your skills. To create an account:

• go to the Job Match sign-in page
• click the “Sign up now!” button
• read the privacy notice and click “I agree”
• follow the instructions to create an account

You can also promote yourself to employers in other ways, such as using:

• recruiters or
• job boards

You will be ranked in the Express Entry pool using a points-based system called the Comprehensive Ranking System.

The CRS gives you a score from the information in your profile, including your:

• skills
• education
• language ability
• work experience
• other factors

You can also get points for:

• Canadian degrees, diplomas or certificates
• a valid job offer
• a nomination from a province or territory

We send invitations to apply to the candidates with the highest scores in the pool. If we invite you to apply, you will have 90 days to submit an online application for permanent residence.

We will process most complete applications that have all the supporting documents in six months or less.

You can stay in the pool for up to 12 months as long as you meet the criteria for one of the federal programs. You should update your profile anytime as your case changes.

If we don’t invite you to apply for permanent residence within 12 months of submitting an Express Entry profile, you can submit a new profile. If you still meet the criteria, you will re-enter the pool.

Federal skilled workers minimum requirements

Federal skilled workers Official Page

SKILLED WORK EXPERIENCE

Your work experience must be:

• in the same type of job as your primary NOC
• within the last 10 years
• paid work (volunteer work, unpaid internships don’t count)
• at skill type 0, or skill levels A or B of the 2011 National Occupational Classification (NOC)
• at least 1 year (1,560 hours total / 30 hours per week), continuous:
  • full-time at 1 job: 30 hours/week for 12 months = 1 year full time (1,560 hours)
  • equal amount in part-time: 15 hours/week for 24 months = 1 year full time (1,560 hours)
  • full-time at more than 1 job: 30 hours/week for 12 months at more than 1 job = 1 year full time (1,560 hours)

You must show that you did the duties set out in the occupational description in the NOC. This includes most of the main duties listed.

If you can’t show that your work experience meets the description in the NOC, you aren’t eligible under this program.

LANGUAGE ABILITY

You must:

• take an approved language test that shows you meet the level for:
  • writing
  • reading
  • listening
  • speaking
• get a minimum score of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 in all four abilities
• include the test results in your Express Entry profile

You must show that you meet the requirements in English or French. Your test results must not be more than two years old on the day you apply for permanent residence.

EDUCATION

If you went to school in Canada, you must have a certificate, diploma or degree from a Canadian:

• secondary (high school) or
• post-secondary school

If you have foreign education, you must have:

• an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report from an approved agency showing that your foreign education is equal to a completed certificate, diploma or degree  from a Canadian:
  • secondary (high school) or
  • post-secondary school

SELECTION FACTORS

If you meet all the conditions set out in the minimum requirements, we’ll assess your application based on these selection factors:

• age
• education
• work experience
• Whether you have a valid job offer
• English and/or French language skills
• adaptability (how well you’re likely to settle here)

These factors are part of a 100-point grid used to assess federal skilled workers. You earn points for how well you do in each of the six factors. Your total points will show if you qualify for the Express Entry pool. The current pass mark is 67 points.

PROOF OF FUNDS

You must show that you have enough money to support yourself and your family after you arrive in Canada, unless you:

• are currently able to legally work in Canada
• have a valid job offer from an employer in Canada

PRINCIPAL APPLICANT

If you are applying on your own, you are the principal applicant.

If you have a live-in partner, either you or they can apply under Express Entry as a principal applicant if:

• you are:
  • married
  • common-law partners, which means you:
    • are an opposite-sex or same-sex couple
    • have lived together in a marriage-like relationship for at least one year
• both meet the requirements to apply as a Federal Skilled Worker

YOUR PRINCIPAL APPLICANT SHOULD BE THE ONE OF YOU MOST LIKELY TO:

• meet the eligibility requirements
• earn the most points in the section factors
• earn the most points under the Comprehensive Ranking System for Express Entry

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

1. You must be admissible to Canada. Find out more about inadmissibility
2. You must plan to live outside the province of Quebec

If you have skilled work experience and want to live in Canada permanently, use our Come to Canada tool to see if you’re eligible for the Express Entry pool.

SKILLED TRADES MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Skilled trades Official Page

To be eligible, you must:

• plan to live outside the province of Quebec (Note: The province of Quebec selects its own skilled workers. If you plan on living in Quebec, see Quebec-selected skilled workers for more information),
• meet the required levels in English or French for each language ability (speaking, reading, writing and listening),
• have at least two years of full-time work experience (or an equal amount of part-time work experience) in a skilled trade within the five years before you apply,
• meet the job requirements for that skilled trade as set out in the National Occupational Classification (NOC), except for needing a certificate of qualification, and
• have an offer of full-time employment for a total period of at least one year or a certificate of qualification in that skilled trade issued by a Canadian provincial or territorial authority.

CANADIAN EXPERIENCE CLASS MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

To qualify for the CEC through Express Entry, you must have:

• at least 12 months of skilled work experience in Canada, in the last three years (before you apply). The work was:
  • full-time OR
  • an equal amount in part-time
• gained your work experience in Canada with the proper authorization
• meet the required language levels needed for your job for each language ability
  • writing
  • reading
  • listening
  • speaking
• planned to live outside the province of Quebec

Self-employment and work experience gained while you were a full-time student (such as on a co-op work term) doesn’t count under this program.

Note: The province of Quebec does not use Express Entry. They select their own skilled workers. See Quebec-selected skilled workers to find out more.

Make sure stay up-to-date with CIC changes

Entrepreneur Immigration Visa

If you’re an experienced businessperson interested in being self-employed in your own business and want to run a business in another country

Entrepreneur immigration visa to New Zealand

Entrepreneur immigration visa to Canada

Entrepreneur immigration visa USA

Entrepreneur Visas to New Zealand

If you’re an experienced businessperson interested in being self-employed in your own business, our entrepreneur visas could be for you.
Most people start out on Entrepreneur Work Visa, which allows you to move to New Zealand and buy or establish a business. After either six months or two years you can then apply for residence under the Entrepreneur Residence Category.

Entrepreneur Work Visa

This three year work visa is structured in two stages:

• Start-up stage: If your application is approved, you will initially be given a 12-month work visa, enabling you to buy or establish your business in New Zealand.
• Balance stage: Once you have proven that you have taken steps to establish your business, you’re granted the remaining 24 months of your visa.

Requirements for this visa include:

• minimum capital investment of NZ$100,000 (excluding working capital)
• 120 points or more, with points awarded for factors about the likely success of the business and its value to New Zealand
• clear business plan
• clean recent history of bankruptcy, business failure and fraud
• health, character and English language requirements.

Residence for entrepreneurs

The Entrepreneur Residence Category allows you to live in New Zealand permanently if you have established a high growth and innovative business with export potential in New Zealand. There are two ways of qualifying for residence under this policy:

• Entrepreneur Residence Category (2 years) – Requires you to have successfully established or purchased a business in New Zealand and have been self-employed in that business for at least two years, and for your business to have significantly benefited New Zealand.
• Entrepreneur Residence Category (6 months) – This option provides a faster track to residence if you have invested at least NZ$500,000 in your business and have created a minimum of three new full-time jobs for New Zealand citizens or residents.

Under both options, you need to meet health, character and English language requirements.

Family is included

Partners and dependent children can be granted work and student visas if they are accompanying the holder of an Entrepreneur Work Visa to New Zealand. They can also be included in an Entrepreneur Residence Visa application.

Global Impact Visa (GIVs)

If you’re a high impact entrepreneur or investor looking to create scalable, positive global impact, our new Global Impact Visa (GIVs) could be for you.

Immigration New Zealand has partnered with the Edmund Hillary Fellowship (EHF) to deliver this innovative new visa, designed to attract talented and visionary entrepreneurs, investors and start-up teams with the drive and capabilities to create innovation-based ventures in New Zealand.

The Fellowship is a 3-year programme that provides up to 400 impact-driven entrepreneurs, investors and start-up teams with a platform to incubate global impact ventures from New Zealand.

There are two stages to the application process:

• Submit an application, and be accepted into, the Edmund Hillary Fellowship
• Apply for a Global Impact Visa.

The Edmund Hillary Fellowship

Before you can apply for a Global Impact Visa you must be accepted into the Edmund Hillary Fellowship. The Fellowship selection process occurs twice a year, after which successful applicants will be sent a Letter of Offer and invited to apply for a Global Impact Visa.

Participation in the programme provides Fellows with:

• Access to a supportive local and global network of investors, advisors, partners and mentors
• A community of visionary entrepreneurial leaders and a diverse group of Fellows in each cohort
• Connection to centres of excellence in different regions of New Zealand
• Regular events, demo days, retreats learning and sharing opportunities, and a platform to tell your story
• Help to identify the best integration support for yourself and immediate family
• Access to investment and scaling opportunities in NZ and overseas
• Access to top talent, universities, accelerators and incubators, policy makers, investment and Research & Development grants.

The Fellowship has 100 places available each year for international candidates, and will also accept up to 20 New Zealand entrepreneurs and investors every year.

Global Impact Visa (GIVs)

Once nominated for acceptance into EHF, candidates are invited to apply for a Global Impact Visa to live and work in New Zealand, on a three-year open work visa.

Requirements for this visa include:

• A Letter of Offer from EHF
• NZ$36,000 maintenance funds to support you and your family for the first year
• Health, character and English language requirements.

If you have family they will need to apply for visas under the Partnership and Dependent Child categories.

Residence for EHF Fellows

Upon completion of the three-year programme, international Fellows become part of the EHF alumni community, and are eligible to apply for New Zealand permanent resident visas.

To be eligible for permanent residence, you must remain in the Edmund Hillary Fellowship for 30 months before applying, and maintain the support of the Edmund Hillary Fellowship.

Self Employed Visa Immigration to Canada

The Self-Employed Program seeks to bring people who will become self-employed in Canada. They must have either:

• relevant experience in cultural activities or athletics, and
  • intend and be able to make a significant contribution to the cultural or athletic life of Canada, or
• experience in managing a farm, and
  • intend and be able to buy and manage a farm in Canada.

IS THERE A NET WORTH REQUIREMENT FOR THE SELF-EMPLOYED PROGRAM?

There is no regulated minimum net worth requirement. However, you will have to satisfy a visa officer that you have enough money to:

• settle in Canada with your dependants and
• finance the work on which your selection was based.

For example, if you are a farmer, you will have to prove that you have enough money to buy and run a farm in Canada.

Find out more about the funds you need.

Employment-Based Immigrant Visa to the USA

Every fiscal year (October 1st – September 30th), approximately 140,000 employment-based immigrant visas are made available to qualified applicants under the provisions of U.S. immigration law. Employment based immigrant visas are divided into five preference categories:

1. Employment First Preference (E1): Priority Workers
2. Employment Second Preference (E2): Professionals Holding Advanced Degrees and Persons of Exceptional Ability
3. Employment Third Preference (E3): Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Unskilled Workers (Other Workers)
4. Employment Fourth Preference (E4): Certain Special Immigrants
5. Employment Fifth Preference (E5): Immigrant Investors

Fees

Fees are charged for the following services:

• Filing of Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker, Form I-140, or Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant, Form I-360 (this fee is charged by USCIS)
• Processing an immigrant visa application, Form DS-260
• Medical examination and required vaccinations (costs vary)
• Other costs may include: translations; photocopying charges; fees for obtaining the documents you need for the immigrant visa application (such as passport, police certificates, birth certificates, etc.); and expenses for travel to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate for your visa interview. Costs vary from country to country and case to case.

Required Documentation

In general, the following documents are required:

• Passport(s) valid for six months beyond the intended date of entry into the United States, unless longer validity is specifically requested by the U.S. Embassy/Consulate in your country. Please review the instructions for guidance.
• Form DS-260, Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration Application.
• Two (2) 2×2 photographs. See the required photo format explained in Photograph Requirements.
• Civil Documents for the applicant. See Documents the Applicant Must Submit for more specific information about documentation requirements, including information on which documents may need to be translated. The consular officer may ask for more information during your visa interview. Bring your original civil documents (or certified copies) such as birth and marriage certificates, as well as legible photocopies of the original civil documents, and any required translations to your immigrant visa interview. Original documents and translations can then be returned to you.
• Financial Support – At your immigrant visa interview, you must demonstrate to the consular officer that you will not become a public charge in the United States. (NOTE: For applicants where a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (LPR) relative filed the Form I-140 petition or where such a relative has a significant ownership interest in the entity that filed the petition, that relative must complete Form I-864, Affidavit of Support Under Section 213A of the Act, on behalf of the applicant.)
• Completed Medical Examination Forms – These are provided by the panel physician after you have completed your medical examination and vaccinations

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