Immigration Minister Dr Jonathan Coleman states that the aim of the new policy, called Silver Fern, is to attract young, highly skilled people to work long term in New Zealand. He aims to implement Silver Fern by April 2010.

"The new Silver Fern policy enables young people with proven potential to come to New Zealand for up to nine months to seek skilled employment”, says Dr Coleman.

“Once they find skilled employment, they will be able to stay for a further two years, while they apply for residence. This will create a pathway to residence for young skilled people, who want to come to New Zealand to further develop their careers, and potentially to settle permanently….[This policy] is all about attracting the right skills and matching those skills with the employment needs of our economy."

The Silver Fern policy consists of two sub-policies: the Job Search policy and the Practical Experience policy. Together, these components offer a two-stage pathway to residence.

Details of both components are as follows:

Silver Fern Job Search

The Silver Fern Job Search policy will allow applicants to enter New Zealand for nine months while they seek skilled employment. The Minister has confirmed that places will be limited to 300 per year.

To be successful, applicants must:

• Be aged between 20 and 35 years.
• Make the application using the online system set up for this purpose.
• Be outside of New Zealand at the time of lodgement.
• Have a recognised qualification which is either a:
- bachelor degree or higher
- trade qualification and a minimum of two years’ work experience in that trade
• Be able to meet English Language requirements.
• Have funds available to support their stay in New Zealand

Applicants must submit evidence to Immigration New Zealand in order to show that they meet the requirements.

Overseas Emigration Visas can guide you through this process and manage the application on your behalf. Please contact our enquiry line on 0845 601 7810 or email enquiries@my-oe.com

Silver Fern Practical Experience

If applicants have been successful in obtaining a Silver Fern Job Search visa, and they successfully find skilled employment in New Zealand within the required nine months, then they may apply for a Silver Fern Practical Experience visa/permit. This will allow them to remain in that employment for two years.

To be successful, the applicant must:

• Have already been awarded a Silver Fern Job Search Visa.
• Have an offer of skilled employment.
• Hold occupational registration if required.

The Minister confirms that there will be no annual limit to Silver Fern Practical Experience permit applications. Overseas Emigration Visas can offer advice on this process. Please contact our enquiry line on 0845 601 7810 or email enquiries@my-oe.com