New Zealand Silver Fern visa for highly-skilled workers

New Zealand, 18th April: A special New Zealand visa is being introduced for highly-skilled foreigners to live and work in New Zealand.

New Zealand immigration office will start accepting applications for New Zealand Silver Fern Visa with effect from 27th April, 2010 onwards. 

Under this special New Zealand visa, nearly 300 places will be available to be filled as part of the initial quota every year. Applications for such visas will be accepted on a first-come-first served basis.

It is being expected by the New Zealand Immigration department that the New Zealand Silver Fern Visa will be in great demand this year. Hence, various potential applicants for such New Zealand visas are advised to make advance registrations for online services. Once the annual quota of 300 places is full, the New Zealand Silver Fern Job Search visa program will be closed for the year 2010 until 2011. 

Under this special New Zealand Visa, skilled professionals in the age group between 20 and 35 years will be allowed to immigrate into New Zealand and search for temporary jobs in New Zealand till they get highly-skilled employment in New Zealand provided they possess all the requisite qualifications obtained either in New Zealand or any other country covered by a visa-free agreement for such visas, stated Neil Donkin, registered migration consultant.

Once the New Zealand Silver Fern Job Search Visa holders are able to find work in New Zealand in industries experiencing shortage of skilled labor, they can then make an application for obtaining a New Zealand Silver Fern Experience Visa under which immigrants can legally work in New Zealand for a period up to two years. 

Possession of a two year New Zealand work visa makes the immigrants eligible to seek PR (permanent residence) either under the Work-to-Residence Scheme or the Skilled Migrant Category.

Pre-requisites for eligibility under the New Zealand Silver Fern Job Search Visa---------

• Aged between 20 and 35 years;

• Meet qualification requirements for Silver Fern Job Search Policy and Skilled Migrant Policy;

• Meet requirements of English language along with submission of IELTS(International English Language Testing System) certificate with a band score of 6.5 or higher;

• Show a minimum of NZ $4,200 funds required for maintenance in New Zealand;

• Must have genuine intention to get job in New Zealand;

• Meet requirements of temporary entry health and Character policy; and 

• Should not have been issued a Silver Fern Job Search Visa earlier.