Quick Menu
Contract Resources for New Zealanders
The UK is a popular European base for many skilled New Zealanders. It’s fairly easy to secure a Tier 5 Working Holiday Visa (if you’re under 30), the Pound coverts well to New Zealand Dollars (not so well to Euros!) and there are many well paying projects, especially in high end IT Consulting.
For many New Zealanders it can all be over too quickly, which is why many apply under Tier 1 General (formerly the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme) or secure Tier 2 (Work Permit) Sponsorship.
At Commonwealth Contractors we partner with:
- OISC Registered Private Immigration Firms: Our OISC Immigration partners specialise in dealing with Tier 1 Visa applications for skilled professionals from New Zealand. They can help to ensure that you fully qualify & can submit a professionally represented application.
- Tier 2 Licensed Healthcare & IT Consultancies: Our Tier 2 Consultancy & Associated Trust Partners are prepared to sponsor workers on Tier 2 Visas (formerly UK Work Permits) where required.
Working Holiday Visa to Tier 1 (Highly Skilled)
In April 2009 the UK Border Agency increased the minimum qualification requirements of Tier 1 General from a Bachelors Degree to a Masters Degree. Since then many New Zealanders have opted for Tier 2 General employment (see below).
If you have a Masters Qualification (or better) and you have been earning a highly skilled wage for the past 12 months you may be able to qualify against the Tier 1 General Criteria.
Tier 1 General is a points based visa that requires the applicant to score 75 points from 4 points scoring categories and satisfy the English Language & Maintenance Requirements. Once approved the visa allows the holder to work unrestricted for an initial period of up to 3 years, and then a further 2 years on extension. Following 5 full unbroken years in the UK on Tier 1 General the holder may apply for Permanent Residence.
To apply for a Tier 1 visa a New Zealand National must return home to submit the application, it is not possible to transfer from Tier 5 Working Holiday to Tier 1 General.
For a Tier 1 General Assessment call Commonwealth Contractors now on 0800 294 4388 or Submit your Details & we will get back to you.
Working Holiday Visa to Tier 2 (Work Permit)
Tier 2 General (formerly UK Work Permit) is an attractive alternative to Tier 1 employment for many skilled New Zealanders.
At Commonwealth Contractors we partner with Tier 2 Licensed Healthcare & IT Consultancies who are prepared to sponsor workers on Tier 2 General Visas where required.
Those New Zealanders that gain Tier 2 employment must return home in order to submit a visa application, however on average approvals are taken care of within 1-3 weeks. Please note that it is possible to ‘switch’ to Tier 2 General employment without leaving the UK only if you are being employed for an official shortage occupation role.
