Thinking about laying out tens of thousands of pounds to emigrate to New Zealand and work in Christchurch, Canterbury?

You may be disappointed to learn that Kiwis are still the preferred candidates for work in the region.

A growing number of visa applicants are being declined by the Christchurch immigration office. This is because rising unemployment in New Zealand means that local workers are given preference over foreign candidates already on shore.

Word must be getting out because visa applications have plummeted.

Immigration New Zealand’s (INZ) Christchurch branch has received the lowest number of applications since 2003 as immigrants leave the earthquake-hit city.

Despite this, people who want to stay in Christchurch are struggling to get work visas.

Jobs for Kiwis first

 “INZ figures show that for the 2011-12 financial year, 9939 people applied for visas at the Christchurch office. In 2009-10, more than 13,500 applications were    received.

 INZ has declined more work visas this financial year than last.

The operations manager at migration law firm Malcolm Pacific, David Cooper, said unemployment across the country has led to an “increase in the amount of applications being declined“.

“Obviously, it’s jobs for Kiwis first. That’s how it has always been and when someone applies for a work visa, then [INZ] does its own labour market research,” he said…” more here Visa refusals in shaken Christchurch

Jobs for Kiwis first is nothing new, this policy has been in place for years. Read any of our posts tagged  Jobs for Kiwis for more.

But this policy doesn’t seem to have much influence on the many NZ immigration job fairs that have been touting for workers in countries such as Ireland.

Be warned, your visa application fee doesn’t get refunded if you’re declined. 

Immigration New Zealand has a projected $44 million deficit in its memorandum  account to plug, somehow. The shortfall arose because of a drop off in visa application volumes following the GFC and the Canterbury earthquakes.

Think hard before you make the leap and part with your cash.

You may also like

‘Jobs For Kiwis’ Still Very Much In Force(June 2010)

Migrant Tales – Does NZ Really Need Skilled Migrants (June 2011)

Pike River Migrants Face Deportation From New Zealand, Happy Christmas? (Dec 2010)

• Posts on Expatexposed.com about the difficulties encountered by migrants in NZ

• Another British Migrant may be Forced to Leave NZ – “It looks as if there is evidence that the colloquially named “Jobs for  kiwis” policy may still be being implemented in New Zealand. A highly  regarded British employee may be forced to leave the country because his  work permit may not be renewed despite his employer being unable  to find someone to fill the post…” December 2009

• Another Migrant Family Left High and Dry – ” The mum is gainfully employed as a very much needed residential care  worker. When she applied for a renewal of her work permit Immigration  New Zealand (INZ)  “decided not to renew it”. She’s appealing  against that decision and INZ been placed her on a visitor’s permit  until the outcome is known, this means she can no longer work and is  left without an income…” July 2009

• Jobs For Kiwis: Skilled Migrants Not Getting a Fair Deal on Work Permit Extensions – “The Motor Trade Association has added its voice to the outcry over the  ‘jobs for Kiwis’ policy which has resulted in some migrants being denied  work permit renewals, despite  holding secure jobs. Many migrants are being told to leave NZ just weeks  after their extensions are refused or warned to face the consequences  of remaining in the country illegally.” July 2009

• Jobs for Kiwis – How it Impacted on an IT Worker – “Just one  story of how the “jobs for Kiwis” policy has impacted on the  life of a European skilled worker who has lived in NZ for 8 years…”

More on the “jobs for kiwis” policy and INZ shortcomings:

Migrants groups push to end  ‘hypocrisy’  – new migrants still arriving but no jobs

Government brain  drain explosion  – StatsNZ show there’s no brain drain

New Zealand PM  implores Kiwis to leave Australia and come home

South African  Family kicked out

NZ  Government warned against limiting temp work visas

Colin  Kemp, INZ’s shifting goal posts and  the skill shortage list

Migrants  treated like waste products

South  African to be deported after change in policy

Redundant migrants ‘forced  out’

Immigrants deceived

Government website claims  mislead migrants

NZ  accused of anti-immigration work visa policy