Registrations quick check for Samoa Quota

Registrations for the 2009 Samoa Quota (SQ) ballot are now open and eligible citizens of Samoa will have until 30 April to lodge their registration form.

Those considering the opportunity to register should make sure they do a few simple things to guarantee their registration is acceptable, says Department of Labour Immigration New Zealand Acting Group Manager, Ross Grigg.

“Some of the reasons registrations are rejected for the ballot each year are that registration forms are not properly and fully completed; not signed by the principal applicant (and/or any person who helped them to complete the form); are received after the last day of the registration period; or the principal applicant is unlawfully in New Zealand when applying to register”, adds Mr Grigg.

Samoa citizens seeking residence in New Zealand under SQ must meet the immigration criteria such as age, health and absence of criminal convictions. Employment is an important consideration in terms of settlement, and a job offer is a requirement of obtaining residency.

Mr Grigg says that in the last three years, ballot places have been largely filled however, some successfully balloted people end up not lodging their residence applications, others fail to meet health and character requirements and, some simply cannot obtain an acceptable offer of a genuine, permanent, full-time job in New Zealand.

“We would like to remind those interested to register to check if they meet all the necessary New Zealand Immigration requirements and make sure they have completed what is required to avoid any disappointment”, adds Mr Grigg.

Those willing to register for the quota can obtain more information from the New Zealand Immigration Service website www.immigration.govt.nz, or by contacting the New Zealand High Commission branch in Apia or a nearest Immigration New Zealand branch.

Fully completed registrations must be received by Immigration New Zealand by 30 April or they cannot be accepted. Registrations received after this date or not properly completed will be returned.