Immigration Laws: November, 1998 - Number #19

New Zealand Immigration Minister Tuariki Delamere announced changes in October 1998 that would remove some of the 1995 restrictions on immigration. The changes would relax English language requirements for business immigrants, streamline business immigration requirements and establish a new, "entrepreneur category," for foreigners wanting to start businesses in New Zealand. New Zealand aims at net immigration of about 10,000 a year. Another change would replace the $20,000 English language bond with a prepaid language training fee.

In response to a "dramatic increase" from an average of eight to 80 Indonesians seeking asylum each month, New Zealand, the only industrial country that permitted visa-free entry for Indonesians, announced in October 1998 that Indonesians would henceforth need visas to enter the country. About half of New Zealand's asylum applicants are Indonesians.

New Zealand has one of the most liberal entry policies in the world. The government announced that beginning in 1999 nationals from Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Uruguay could travel to New Zealand without visas.

Over a million New Zealand citizens live outside New Zealand.

"NZ moves to curb Indonesian influx," The Age, October 23, 1998. "Indonesians lose NZ visa-free provision," Evening Post, October 22, 1998. "Migrant rule too costly: critic," Waikato Times (Hamilton), October 13, 1998. "Wanted: investors, business migrants," The Dominion (Wellington), October 13, 1998.