Frequently Asked Questions...

How much are your fees for your services?

Many people believe an immigration lawyer will be more expensive than an immigration consultant. In most instances, this is not the case. After you have completed our online immigration assessment, we will tell you whether or not we believe you are potentially eligible for New Zealand residence. In addition, we will determine the most appropriate category of residence to be applied for and we will forward to you a full fee schedule which provides a fixed quote for our immigration services and outlines all additional costs that will be involved with your application.

Our fees are based on the complexity and the specialist knowledge required for each application. Our fees are charged on a per-application basis, irrespective of the number of individuals included in the application.
We would only accept instructions from you if we believe your application will qualify, for two important reasons:
Firstly, Manhire and Associates has built up a significant reputation which we would not wish to jeopardise by filing applications that do not comply with immigration criteria.
Secondly, a significant portion of our fee is contingent on your applications being approved
We are more than happy for you to compare our costs against those charged by immigration consultants. However, please be aware that the level of expertise and value for money varies significantly when you instruct a consultant to act on your behalf.

Why do you charge an initial fee of $225.00 NZD for an immigration assessment?

Our view is that to give an accuate assessment of your immigration position requires careful consideration and time on our part. For this reason we charge a very modest non-refundable assessment fee of $250.00 NZD or USD$250.00 if you are not in New Zealand. There is no standard one-size-fits-all approach to immigration assessments. Each assessment must be assessed on its own merits. We also believe that a small investment now may save an applicant a great deal of frustration and money later. It may even save your dream of immigrating to New Zealand.

Can I pay the assessment fee in US dollars?

Yes. Please contact Manhire and Associates for details of his US bank account should you wish to pay the assessment fee in US dollars.

How long will the process take?

This will depend on the application and your personal circumstances. Most individuals obtain New Zealand permanent residence under the Skilled Migrant Category, which, in most instances, requires the individual to hold a full-time offer of skilled employment. Once an offer of skilled employment is obtained, it will usually take us around 4 to 8 weeks to obtain a work visa for the person to commence employment. A residence application usually takes about 3 to 6 months to process. Often, the most difficult issue with any migration process where an offer of employment is involved is in obtaining a temporary visa to commence work to the satisfaction of the employer who has offered the position.
Many employers do not hold positions open indefinitely, and therefore it is very important that you receive timely and accurate advice or assistance to obtain temporary visas as soon as possible to secure your job offer which will ultimately lead to the grant of New Zealand residence. An application for a work permit made within New Zealand is process within 60 days.

What range of services do you provide?

Manhire and Associates provides a comprehensive service to his clients. In an immigration application, this includes (but is not limited to) the following:
1. Pre-assessment of potential eligibility for a temporary permit and New Zealand residence
2. A full telephone conference or initial meeting to confirm eligibility, establish timeframes and address practical considerations through the immigration process
3. Referrals to third parties, including: specialist recruiters, transporters of goods, banks, finance companies and property purchase/rental experts
4. Assisting with registration (if applicable), completing NZQA applications, and processing all temporary and residence visa applications
Manhire and Associates has experience in assisting individuals to migrate from one side of the planet to the other.
We receive instructions and guide individuals through the entire immigration process from start to finish. We provide a complete service. In addition to providing a full range of immigration services we are also able to provide guidance on the following general legal matters in New Zealand:
* Purchasing and renting accommodation
*Transferring funds to New Zealand
*Drafting of New Zealand wills and estate documentation through a solicitor referral.
By instructing Manhire and Associates to assist you in the immigration process, you have the peace of mind that your immigration application is being handled by a professional. We are also able to address all legal concerns or queries that you may have - and there will be many.

Why choose an immigration lawyer and not an immigration consultant?

There have been a significant number of instances where immigration consultants (who do not need to be professionally qualified or experienced) have provided negligent advice or charge exorbitant fees on immigration instructions. Unlike immigration consultants, Mark Manhire is a qualified lawyer and is regulated by the New Zealand Law Society; therefore, the quality and professionalism of our service is strictly regulated with the requirement that our firm charges reasonable fees for our work. Why would you risk using an immigration consultant when you can receive a professional service from a lawyer who charges lower fees and has higher service standards than unregulated consultants? In an effort to combat the number of complaints made against some consultants, the New Zealand Government has moved to regulate immigration consultants, beginning this year. Immigration consultants currently operating in New Zealand will have to be registered by May 2009 and consultants based overseas (UK, South Africa, etc) will have to be registered by May 2010. You need to make sure that your application is professionally handled from start to finish. Why trust an unregulated, often unqualified or inexperienced immigration consultant with your dreams of a new life in New Zealand?

How can I find employment in New Zealand? Are you able to assist with this?

Yes. The reality is that in order for an individual to obtain a job offer, the individual is usually required to be in New Zealand to find that offer of employment. 95% of job offers are given to individuals who are physically present in New Zealand and who are able to meet employers and undertake employment interviews.
We will provide appropriate guidance and advice as to how the process is undertaken. However, in order for you to obtain New Zealand permanent residence, you should expect the main applicant travelling to New Zealand for an extended period of time (perhaps 3 to 4 weeks) to source an offer of full-time employment to obtain New Zealand residence. Manhire and Associates has built relationships with specialist recruiters who will be able to assist with placement in New Zealand. Manhire and Associates does not get involved in this specialist area, as only a professional recruitment consultant can provide the appropriate advice and guidance you may need. If you are unrepresented, most recruitment consultants will not show any interest unless you are physically here. However, when clients ask us to assist, we make use of our strong relationship with our recruiters. These recruiters will provide guidance and assistance before your travel to New Zealand. Because you have asked a lawyer to assist you, they know that you are serious about New Zealand. Therefore, not only can we provide initial assessment and guide you through the immigration process, but we can also assist you with gaining employment through a number of trusted recruitment consultants. Furthermore, we also ensure that the offer of employment is compliant with immigration regulations. If it is not, we will negotiate changes to positions with employers and recruitment consultants to ensure you actually qualify for the visa.

Will Immigration New Zealand help me put my application together or provide advice as to how to make an application?

No. The New Zealand Government applies its policy using strict criteria and whilst applications are encouraged from individuals, no definitive advice or assistance will be provided before you submit your application. Manhire and Associates can provide a full and accurate assessment of your immigration chances, assist you to obtain employment in New Zealand, while also making sure that your application will qualify for the visa that you require before you submit your visa
to Immigration New Zealand. We have seen numerous instances of individuals using immigration consultants or filing their own applications, only to have these applications rejected for simple errors or mistakes that were readily identifiable and easy to correct before the application was submitted. Once an application has been tainted, it is much more difficult to submit a second compliant application. The reality is that you only have one chance at filing an appropriate application.

Where is New Zealand's nearest South African Consulate?

South African High Commission

Rhodes Place, State Circle, Yarralumia, Canberra, Australia

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