Filipinos who want to work and live in New Zealand should be aware that there are several pathways they can take to achieve their aim. The best options available for you would depend on your qualifications, status, work experience, skills and capital.
The said factors would determine which of the available pathways to enter New Zealand you can take. You can enter via the Skilled Migrant Category which is points based, as a Work Visa Permit which is not points based, via Active Investment, as an Entreprenuer, or thru a family member. For Filipinos the first two pathways is the most common way of entering New Zealand. Read more.
The Philippine Senate recently approved a bill that calls for the improvement of the present Migrant Workers Act. The proposed changes aim to give better assistance and further promote the welfare of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) thus strengthening the present law.
Estrada added that the Senate still needs to confirm if the Office of the President also ratified the bill. Once confirmed, they would transmit an enrolled copy to Malacanang for action by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
The improved Migrant Workers Act includes preventive measures that would minimize and solve the problems encountered by OFWs in the process of recruitment and deployment. It also calls for the creation of better rescue and assistance mechanisms. Read more.
Foreigners who are employed as live-in caregivers in Canada may benefit from a new federal policy that lessens the procedures needed in obtaining permanent residency. Under the new rule, live in caregivers no longer have to pass a second medical examination as part of the requirement to be given a permanent residence status. Gaining the status of being a permanent resident is important because it gives individuals the privilege to bring their family to Canada.
The realization that earlier rules need to be changed was encouraged with the sad story of a caregiver who was diagnosed with cancer while employed in Canada and the rigorous procedure she had to go through just to be given a permanent residency status. Read more.
The Embassy of New Zealand in Santiago has informed the Philippine Embassy that effective 30 November 2009, Filipino nationals transiting through New Zealand en route to other destinations will be exempt from securing transit visas.
Up until now, Filipinos transiting New Zealand (for instance changing planes) needed to hold a transit visa. This requirement will not apply from 30 November.
From that date, Filipinos won’t need a visa to transit New Zealand, provided they remain in the airport and their travel bookings show a stopover of no more than 24 hours. If they plan to stop over for more than 24 hours, or plan to leave the airport, they must apply for a visitor visa.
