Entry help for migrant partners

The Government hopes to make New Zealand a more attractive destination for business migrants by relaxing the immigration criteria for their partners or spouses.

Immigration Minister Lianne Dalziel said people had been discouraged from applying for long-term visas because their partners had to qualify in their own right.

"These spouses were expected to meet normal work visa or permit policy criteria, including the requirement that no other New Zealander was available to undertake the work," she said.

"I've decided that spouses and partners of people holding long-term business permits can now be issued with multiple entry, open-work visas and permits."

She said the move would make New Zealand's business visa policy more competitive with other countries promoting similar schemes for business migrants.

National immigration spokeswoman Marie Hasler said what discouraged people more than the spouse requirements was the lengthy bureaucratic process involved in applying for visas.

Ms Dalziel said her concerns were ironic given that the National Government had established the process.

- NZPA