Take Helper -New Zealand for 2 years?

My family is Australian and we are relocating to New Zealand from Hong Kong, probably for 2 years . Can we can take our wonderful Filipino Domestic Helper with us?


Will it be difficult to get her a visa? Does the process take a long time? How long would the visa be for?

Do we have a better chance if we use an immigration agent/lawyer to handle the papers etc, if so, does anyone have any recommendations of a specialized NZ immigration agent/lawyer?


Any advice would be very much appreciated.

With thanks in advance,

Nancy8.

Hi,

I doubt that New Zealand would allow you to take your domestic helper with you as under "skilled immigration" policies a helper would unlikely be considered.


She would or you would have to help her gain a temporary working visa and accordingly pay her under NZ employment law. Currently the minimum wage is I think $15 NZD per hr (around $90HKD) - or there abouts. You would be required to provide her with standard holidays, sick days etc under NZ employment law.


I would imagine that NZ would consider your helper low skilled and would unlikely allow her to gain entry. NZ immgration policy I would imagine is like Australia and is based around encourgaing people that will contribute to economic growth and will fill skills shortages (Doctors, Nurses, Builders etc). A helper I would imagine is not considered a skills shortage. NZ I am sure currently have people who can fulfill such a role.


Good luck but I don't like your chances. If you are serious than I think you are going to need help from an agent/lawyer.

Dear Mog77

Thank you for your reply. Yes, I am serious about trying to take our helper with us to NZ. She is invaluable as far as the history she has with my children.

Take care,

Nancy8.

Had three friends try to take their helper back to NZ and all failed. I have a friend in NZ who has a full time helper ie working 8-5 as a 40 Hr week and that is costing about $45000 NZ a year. No weekends, she doesn't sleepover and occasionally she babysits for an evening. It seems crazy after having a DH in Hong Kong.

Thanks for those who have kindly replied to my post.


Oly88, I would love to adopt my helper but sadly she is older than me. My husband could always divorce me and marry her, but I doubt that she would have him! :)


Aventino68, do you know under which grounds your friends who tried to get their helper to NZ applied (and failed) ? Was it for a working visa or a student visa etc?


If anyone else knows of a way to get our fabulous helper to NZ with us when we move there from HK , please let me know. I realise it will cost a lot compared to HK but we will pay her according to the award wages in NZ. We want to do everything above board and give her the recognition she deserves. She has such a strong bond with out children that is irreplaceable and she really is a Jack of all trades.


Nancy8.

I am same feeling as you wrote about your helper. I would like to take our helper to Australia when we move there. Could someone advise me wheather or not we have any chance to do so?