New Zealanders with Citizenship or Permanent Residence status would be able to sponsor their parents with greater ease under the new immigration regime, which came into effect recently.
Immigration Minister Nathan Guy said that a new two-tier system is in place.
“Applications from parents who have higher income sponsors, or who bring a guaranteed income or funds, will be processed faster than other applications. As a result, many skilled migrants who have residence here can sponsor their parents and will receive a quicker decision with less red tape,” he said, speaking at the LexisNexis Immigration Law Conference at the Stamford Plaza Hotel in Auckland on August 9, 2012.
He said that his Government believes that immigration helps to build a stronger economy and creates jobs by encouraging innovation, strengthening New Zealand’s links with international markets.
“It provides the skills and capital that New Zealand needs for growth,” he said.
Mr Guy said that the ‘Business Investor Scheme,’ since its amendment in 2009, had attracted more than $900 million in potential investment capital.
“Attracting more business migrants who have the commercial and global networks to help New Zealand businesses to grow the economy and create jobs,” he said.
According to Mr Guy, the number of persons migrating to New Zealand has been declining over the years.
“Application volumes dropped by about 4% in 2009-2010, a further 2.1% in 2010-2011 but expected to rise by an average of 3.3% in the next three years.
He attributed the decrease to the global economic slowdown.
An analysis of the new parent category will appear in our next issue.
