New Zealand loosens immigration rules
The Age
October 12, 2007 – 9:39AM
New Zealand has announced it will loosen immigration requirements to make it easier for permanent residents to have overseas family members visit.
Immigration Minister David Cunliffe said that from November a new visa would allow parents and grandparents of New Zealand residents to make multiple visits without having to apply for a new visa each time.
The new rules will also establish a quota of places for parents, adult children, and adult siblings to come to New Zealand as permanent residents.
But some criteria will be tightened under the policy.
People wishing to sponsor partners to come to New Zealand will face a tougher character test.
There will also be a new minimum income requirement of about $NZ30,000 ($A25,500) for those wishing to sponsor parents, and this group must guarantee support for their parents for five years.
Under existing rules Australian residents can live and work in New Zealand without restrictions.
