News & Views
Skilled migrants are waiting up to eight months to get their residency approved, prompting fresh criticism of the system.
Critics, including business leaders, migrants and immigration specialists, say the delays are unacceptable and create problems for workers and employers. In some cases, waiting times are so long that temporary work permits issued to new migrants are expiring and applicants are being told to reapply for another - a process that can take between six and eight weeks.
Labour Department spokesman Steve Cantlon said immigration officials were grappling with a high volume of applications for permanent residency. He said skilled migrants were a priority, and he attributed delays to documentation verification. The department was working to "manage the demand and make careful decisions".
The Press, Christchurch - Wednesday March 28th 2007
