Clockwork Visa Services

01/04/2026

Pacific Access Category and Samoan Quota
Registrations are now OPEN

Registrations for the Samoan Quota and Pacific Access Category visa annual ballot draws open today.

These pathways to residence in Aotearoa New Zealand recognise the relationship we have with Samoa and the Pacific Access Category countries in Tonga, Tuvalu, Kiribati and Fiji.

Find out more: https://www.immigration.govt.nz/about-us/news-centre/pacific-access-category-and-samoan-quota-registrations-are-now-open-for-2026/

18/03/2026

NZ Employers: Are You Ready for INZ to Drop In?
“Regulators carried out 147 visits across the North Island, uncovering breaches of employment standards, cash payments, poor record‑keeping and potential exploitation.”
“Immigration Compliance officers were on site to check visa conditions and employer obligations.”
These aren’t random checks — they’re a clear signal that INZ and MBIE are actively verifying whether Accredited Employers are meeting every commitment they signed up to.
If they walked into your workplace today, could you confidently demonstrate compliance?
Clockwork can help you get audit‑ready before INZ arrives

17/03/2026

https://www.immigration.govt.nz/about-us/news-centre/the-2026-pacific-access-category-and-samoan-quota-ballots-open-on-1-april-2026/?fbclid=IwY2xjawQmmkVleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFER28weFlTVUVoUklUMDVNc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHmkg_aRBGfISulUOzql9zm2ZnJO0tij22abfq6HqgTGLY-hMUGu8h3hWnneY_aem_fkJgdtJapvPbe5lVQz1K1g

Registrations will open for the 2026 Samoan Quota and the Pacific Access Category on 1 April 2026 at 08:00 New Zealand Daylight Saving Time (NZDT).

Find out more: https://www.immigration.govt.nz/about-us/news-centre/the-2026-pacific-access-category-and-samoan-quota-ballots-open-on-1-april-2026/

04/03/2026

Amber List Occupations – Important SMC Update
INZ has also confirmed the Amber List for the Skilled Migrant Category changes coming in August 2026.

Migrants in these occupations cannot use the Trades & Technician Pathway.
They may still be eligible for the Skilled Work Experience Pathway, but only if they have:
• 5 years of relevant NZ work experience, including
• 2 years of skilled work experience earning at least 1.2 × the SMC median wage.
Amber List Occupations
Accommodation‑Related Manager Roles
• Accommodation & Hospitality Manager
• Hotel or Motel Manager
• Hotel Service Manager
• Bed & Breakfast Operator
• Caravan Park & Camping Ground Manager
Food Service Roles
• Café/Restaurant Manager
• Baker
• Pastrycook
• Chef
Generic Management Roles
• Customer Service Manager
• Office Manager
ICT Roles
• ICT Customer Support Officer
• ICT Support Technician
• Web Administrator
These roles still have residence pathways available, but the criteria are more specific and require careful planning.
If you or your staff fall under the Amber List, it’s a good time to check whether your current role, pay, and experience line up with the new requirements.

04/03/2026

Red List Occupations – Important SMC Update
INZ has now confirmed the Red List under the new Skilled Migrant Category settings coming in August 2026.
If you work in one of these occupations, you cannot use the new Trades & Technician or Skilled Work Experience pathways.
You can still apply for residence, but only if you can claim 6 points under the existing SMC pathway.

This may be achieved through:
• earning at least 1.5 × the SMC median wage,
• holding a Bachelor’s degree (Level 7) or higher, or
• having a recognised occupational registration,
plus meeting the required skilled NZ work experience.

Red List Occupations
Generic Management Roles
• Hospitality, Retail and Service Manager (nec)
• Retail Manager
Health & Beauty Roles
• Beauty Therapist
• Massage Therapist
• Hairdresser
• Hair and Beauty Salon Manager
These roles are not eligible for the new pathways and must continue under the standard SMC points system.
If you’re in a Red List occupation and unsure how this affects your residence plan, now is the time to review your strategy.

04/03/2026

The wait is over!
INZ has just published Skilled Migrant Category settings that will apply from August 2026 — and there are some big shifts.
New occupation lists, clearer qualification rules, simplified wage settings, and extended English‑test validity are all confirmed.
This will be a game‑changer for many people working toward residence.
If you’re wondering how this affects you (or your staff), feel free to reach out.
www.clockworkvisa.co.nz

We have established a priority phone line for people to contact us about this specific situation. Call 0508 558 855 (toll free from NZ landlines) or +64 9 914 4100 and press option 7. For information about what options are available to you, check:

27/02/2026

A lovely update from one of our clients today: MBA orientation completed, classes starting next week, and a big year of growth ahead.
At Clockwork, our work doesn’t stop at the visa stage — we genuinely enjoy seeing our clients thrive, study, settle, and take steps toward skilled migrant pathways.
Here’s to a great start and an exciting 12 months ahead!

23/02/2026

📢 Changes to Open Work Visa Conditions — From 20 April 2026

Immigration New Zealand is introducing new employment conditions for **open work visas** to help migrants clearly understand what work is allowed.

From **20 April 2026**, open work visas will include **one of two conditions**:

**1️⃣ Open work visas allowing any work**
You can work for an employer, be a sole trader, or own and operate a business.
This applies to: Partner of a Worker, Partner of a Student, Post‑Study Work Visa, Partner of a New Zealander Residence Visa, and Partner of a Military Work Visa.

**2️⃣ Open work visas requiring work for an employer**
You must work **for an employer only**, under an employment agreement or contract for services.
This applies to: Victims of Domestic Violence, Victims of People Trafficking, Migrant Exploitation Protection, Asylum Seeker, and all Working Holiday Visas.
Working Holiday Visa holders **cannot** run a business.

**Conditions for all open work visas**
All visa holders must follow NZ employment and business laws.
You **cannot** employ other people, directly or through a business you own.
You **cannot** provide or invest in commercial sexual services.
These changes **do not apply to Student Visa holders**.

If you’ve been doing work not permitted under your visa (excluding sexual services), you may continue until your current visa expires. You’ll need to meet the correct conditions for any future visa.

Clockwork can help you check your visa conditions and understand what these changes mean for you.

If you want, I can also create a shorter “bite‑size” version for Instagram.

18/02/2026

Median wage increases to $35 for applications lodged from 9 March 2026. I still have space to take on a few more clients for management and lodgment ahead of this date but time is short email [email protected]

12/02/2026

⏰ Employers — Your 2 Year Accreditation Renewal Is Ticking Closer…
If your first Employer Accreditation was approved back in 2022 or early 2023, your two year renewal window is coming up fast — and INZ will be expecting you to show that everything has been running… well… like Clockwork.
Before you hit “submit”, ask yourself:
🔹 Have you actually completed all required settlement activities for your migrant workers?
🔹 Are your HR processes, pay records, and employment agreements fully compliant?
🔹 Can you prove your obligations have been met if INZ asks?
🔹 Are your Job Checks and recruitment processes aligned with current rules?
🔹 Do you feel confident you’d pass a compliance check tomorrow?
If any of those made you pause, you’re not alone. Many employers are discovering that the renewal stage is where INZ looks much more closely at what’s been happening behind the scenes.
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This is where having a professional, competent Licensed Immigration Adviser matters.
At Clockwork Visa Services, I help employers keep everything moving smoothly with:
• Accreditation renewal management
• Compliance reviews and risk checks
• Settlement activity planning and documentation
• Job Check strategy and support
• Ongoing, proactive immigration advice
If you want your renewal to run on time, on track, and on point — like Clockwork — I’m here to help.
📩 Message me to get started.

06/02/2026

Yes — even while the rest of the country is enjoying the weekend, INZ is still powering through applications. Your approval didn’t wait for Monday!

29/12/2025

✨ Closing Out 2025 With Gratitude ✨

As we wrap up 2025, I just want to take a moment to say thank you. Whether you’ve been here from the beginning or joined somewhere along the way, your support, kindness, and encouragement have meant more than you know.

This year has been full of growth, lessons, and unexpected joys—and having this community alongside the journey has made it all the more meaningful. Every comment, message, share, and quiet cheer from the sidelines has helped shape this space into something I’m truly proud of.

Here’s to stepping into 2026 with hope, clarity, and a whole lot of excitement for what’s ahead. I’m looking forward to creating, connecting, and celebrating more moments with you in the new year.

Thank you for being here. Thank you for being you.
🌟 Bring on 2026.