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New Zealand sees post Brexit rush for immigration info
| Published: | 23 Aug at 6 PM |
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Since Brexit, the New Zealand media ihas been awash with warnings of a ‘British invasion’, following a huge spike in the number of British applicants.
In an average month, New Zealand’s immigration department gets around 3,000 registrations for information on investing, working in and relocating to its spectacularly beautiful islands. On the day the Brexit result was announced, almost 1000 would-be migrants applied and are now being sent detailed information and updates on immigration requirements.
By the 50th day after Brexit, over 10,000 disenchanted British nationals had indicated their wish to jump ship, a doubling of figures for the same period last year. John Morgan, a professor at Auckland University, told the press he was reminded of the 1980s spike in numbers after Margaret Thatcher became Prime Minister.
He added the country’s similar size and culture make it a favourite with Britons looking to give up on the UK and move on. According to Morgan, although New Zealand isn’t an escape back to 1950s Britain, it’s not as obsessed with the consumerist culture as most other expat destinations.
Another academic, Neal Curtis, also of Auckland University, came to the country to escape the Tory party and believes the country’s colonial past has positively influenced the country’s development towards its present-day liberal, socially progressive state. Immigration figures are impressive, even considering the strict, often high cost rules of entry.
During the first six months of 2016, residency was granted to 4,934 Britons, another 22,633 were given work visas and 1,176 British students were allowed in to study at Kiwi universities. It’s interesting to speculate on next year’s figures for the same time period, given the massive increase in enquiries.
In an average month, New Zealand’s immigration department gets around 3,000 registrations for information on investing, working in and relocating to its spectacularly beautiful islands. On the day the Brexit result was announced, almost 1000 would-be migrants applied and are now being sent detailed information and updates on immigration requirements.
By the 50th day after Brexit, over 10,000 disenchanted British nationals had indicated their wish to jump ship, a doubling of figures for the same period last year. John Morgan, a professor at Auckland University, told the press he was reminded of the 1980s spike in numbers after Margaret Thatcher became Prime Minister.
He added the country’s similar size and culture make it a favourite with Britons looking to give up on the UK and move on. According to Morgan, although New Zealand isn’t an escape back to 1950s Britain, it’s not as obsessed with the consumerist culture as most other expat destinations.
Another academic, Neal Curtis, also of Auckland University, came to the country to escape the Tory party and believes the country’s colonial past has positively influenced the country’s development towards its present-day liberal, socially progressive state. Immigration figures are impressive, even considering the strict, often high cost rules of entry.
During the first six months of 2016, residency was granted to 4,934 Britons, another 22,633 were given work visas and 1,176 British students were allowed in to study at Kiwi universities. It’s interesting to speculate on next year’s figures for the same time period, given the massive increase in enquiries.
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