New Zealand's Immigration Act of 2009

September 2010POEA MARKET UPDATE NO. 29-10NEW ZEALAND'S IMMIGRATION ACT OF 2009The Embassy of New Zealand has notified the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on the country's new immigration legislation (Immigration Act of 2009), which features some changes to the country's immigration terminology. The new Immigration Act, which will be implemented on November 2010, modernizes New Zealand's immigration laws. However, the law does not make major changes to the criteria under which Filipinos apply to enter and stay in New Zealand. The salient changes on the new Act include the following: • Filipinos who are holders of New Zealand permanent residence will not be materially affected by the new immigration legislation.• No fees will be charged to Filipino nationals who apply for a visitor visa or a student visa for visits not exceeding 59 days.• Fees will be charged to Filipinos who lodge their applications in New Zealand for residence status, visit, work or study.• The terms "visa" and "permit" will be replaced by the single term "visa."• Returning resident's visa (this is the visa...