Author Archives: Simon Laurent, Lawyer

About Simon Laurent, Lawyer

Principal of LaurentLaw Barristers & Solicitors. NZ immigration law specialist.

Work Visas on the Move (Again)

Posted on February 14, 2019

Just before Christmas (possibly strategic timing in light of criticism he faced in the last few months) the Minister of Immigration announced a scheme to overhaul the entire employer assisted Work Visa system.  The proposals are set out in a detailed … Continue reading →

Posted in Immigration Visas | Leave a comment

Rowdy Tourists Facing Deportation

Posted on January 16, 2019

I was interviewed yesterday by Newshub about the Irish visitors who are at the centre of a media storm owing to their antics from Auckland to Hamilton.  They have been served Deportation Liability Notices (“DLN”s) and are apparently planning to leave.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Immigration Visas | Leave a comment

Migrant Exploitation – a Clear and Present Danger for Employees

Posted on November 8, 2018

  In the last couple of years – and especially since the Labour Government took office last year – both Immigration New Zealand and the MBIE Labour Inspectorate have upscaled their efforts to find and punish employers who misuse the … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Immigration Appeals, Immigration Industry, Immigration Problems, Immigration Visas, Politics | 1 Comment

Interim Visas -More Breathing Space

Posted on September 11, 2018

At the end of August, Immigration New Zealand made some simple but significant changes to the way that Interim Visas work.  This has injected some humanity and common sense into a process which was, until now, producing some poor outcomes … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Immigration Appeals, Immigration Industry, Immigration Problems, Immigration Visas | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Post Study Work Visas – the Change has Come

Posted on August 15, 2018

In a recent post I alerted readers to a significant rewrite of Work Visa policy for those who complete New Zealand qualifications.  Last Friday the Government rolled out the new scheme which will take effect in November.  While it was … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Citizenship, Immigration Appeals, Immigration Industry, Immigration Problems, Immigration Visas, Politics, Practice of Law | 6 Comments

Post-Study Work Visas – Change is A-Coming

Posted on June 14, 2018

  Every week or so, someone comes to us about their application for Work Visa based on a job which is meant to be related to their NZ qualification.  They have spent several years, and tens of thousands of dollars, … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Citizenship, Immigration Appeals, Immigration Industry, Immigration Problems, Immigration Visas, Politics, Practice of Law | 5 Comments

Buying a Business – the Easy Way to Residence?

Posted on April 5, 2018

Umm, no, it isn’t.  Here’s why. This post was inspired by a Herald article just before Easter, about an Indian international student who bought a café franchise with a plan to use it to get a business visa.  He did … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Citizenship, Immigration Appeals, Immigration Industry, Immigration Problems, Immigration Visas, Politics, Practice of Law, Property, Refugees | 2 Comments