Helping you move forward.

From citizenship to job checks, we provide expert assistance to simplify your immigration process.

VisaBuddy offers expert assistance with New Zealand citizenship, NZQA assessments, employer accreditation, and job checks. Our team ensures you meet the requirements and navigate the process smoothly. Whether you're an individual or an employer, we're here to make your journey easier.

Contact us.

Services we offer.

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New Zealand Visas.

Our team of Licensed Immigration Advisers are experienced across a wide range of visa categories. We can manage a case from end to end, or assist by intervening in an application already lodged, should you run into any issues.

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Complex matters.

Our team provides comprehensive assistance with medical waivers, character waivers, and responses to letters of concern from Immigration New Zealand. We also represent appeals to the Immigration Protection Tribunal and the Minister and assist in regularising unlawful status through Section 61 requests.

New Zealand Citizenship.

Once you are a Resident Visa holder, the next step will be to secure citizenship of New Zealand and a New Zealand passport. Generally, a person must have held a residence class visa for at least 5 years and meet presence, English language, and character requirements. Our team at VisaBuddy will be able to assess your eligibility for New Zealand citizenship and guide you through the process.

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International Qualifications Assessment.

In some instances, you will need to have your qualification assessed by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority.

This will determine the level of the qualification on the New Zealand qualifications framework and / or whether the qualification meets Green List requirements.

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Employer Accreditation.

To support or hire migrants for certain visa applications, your business will need to be accredited with Immigration New Zealand. The type of accreditation depends on the number of migrants your business is looking to support and the type of employment arrangement they will be placed into.

Accreditation is the first step in the process of hiring a migrant on an Accredited Employer Work Visa. Your business needs to be genuinely operating, and its key people must be compliant with relevant laws (including immigration and employment law). The business must be financially viable to meet its obligations, cannot pass on certain costs to employees, and must undertake to provide settlement support information to its staff.

If you would like to place staff with controlling third parties, additional requirements must be met, including rigorous plans to monitor the conditions of your Accredited Employer Work Visa holders, ensuring the third parties are compliant, and maintaining an appropriate ratio of New Zealanders to non-New Zealanders.

A renewal application will require you to demonstrate compliance with your obligations during your accreditation period.

VisaBuddy will work with you to assess your business' eligibility and can provide guidance on compliance.

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Job Checks.

Job checks are the second step in the process of hiring an Accredited Employer Work Visa holder. The role you wish to offer a migrant worker must be compliant and paid at or above certain wage thresholds, as well as the market rate.

Essentially a Job Check involves seeking Immigration New Zealand’s permission to hire a migrant worker by demonstrating that there are no New Zealanders readily available or trainable to perform the role and that the employment is compliant.

The skill level of the role and the proposed pay rate will determine which steps must be followed, as well as the migrant worker’s visa duration. In certain instances, you will be required to engage with Work and Income as part of the labour market test.

Got questions? We're here to help.

At VisaBuddy, we recognise that relocating to New Zealand is a deeply personal experience, often accompanied by stress and uncertainty. For businesses, the immigration process can be complex, filled with legal requirements and compliance challenges.

We make things simple. By taking the time to understand your unique circumstances, requirements, timelines, and expectations, we create a tailored pathway that meets your personal or business needs and goals, and we deliver every time.

We pride ourselves on being transparent about fees, eligibility and potential challenges in your journey.

As experts in immigration, we navigate you through the complex process so you can focus on managing your life or business.

Let us be your trusted 'buddy'.