Your pathway to Residence starts here
Whether you are already working in New Zealand, have a job offer, or are planning your future migration journey, understanding your options is an important step. Our team of Licensed Immigration Advisers can help you figure out your path, identify potential risks, and develop a strategy towards residence.
We specialise in Skilled Residence Pathways
Skilled Migrant Category
(6-Point System)
Green List
Straight to Residence
Green List
Work to Residence
Transport Sector
Residence Pathway
Care Workforce
Residence Pathway
Trades and Technicians
Pathway (from Aug. 2026)
Skilled Work Experience
Pathway (from Aug. 2026)
Meet our Licensed Immigration Advisers
Ruscelle Rintoul
LIA 202200516
Ruscelle has had a hand in helping more than 800 migrants achieve residence in New Zealand. Her main area of practice is assisting Skilled Migrants to transition from Temporary Work Visa pathways to Residence, while working in partnership with employers to manage and support their migrant workforce.
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Ruscelle has been part of the VisaLegal team since the company was founded in 2020. From the very beginning, she demonstrated exceptional attention to detail and a methodical, process-driven approach, combined with a calm and thoughtful manner.
This led to her promotion to Administration Team Leader within her first year, where she oversaw a team of six administration staff. Ruscelle then went on to complete the Graduate Diploma in New Zealand Immigration Advice and become a Licensed Immigration Adviser. Over the years, Ruscelle has played a key role in helping more than 800 migrants achieve residence in New Zealand and has personally guided many more to obtain temporary visas.
One of Ruscelle’s main areas of practice is advising skilled migrants on their transition from temporary work visa pathways to residence. She regularly assists skilled migrants to understand their residence options and develop a strategy towards residence in New Zealand. Ruscelle also assists clients to understand how upcoming immigration changes may affect their residence options and future eligibility.
Ruscelle also manages accreditation and work visa processes for some of VisaLegal’s largest employer clients, giving her a strong understanding of both the migrant and employer sides of the immigration system. Her experience working closely with employers allows her to develop practical solutions that align with both business requirements and immigration policy.
In addition to her work with skilled residence and employer-supported pathways, Ruscelle has assisted clients with a range of complex immigration matters, including requests for reconsideration, section 61 requests, character matters, and Immigration and Protection Tribunal appeals.
Ruscelle excels at managing complex applications involving large amounts of information and supporting documentation. Clients appreciate her ability to ensure applications are prepared thoroughly and accurately.
Ruscelle takes great pride in her Māori heritage and enjoys helping people from all backgrounds build successful lives in Aotearoa. She is passionate about supporting migrants throughout their immigration journey and is committed to helping her clients achieve the best possible outcomes.
Vera George
LIA 202100760
Vera has particular experience with complex immigration matters, including character issues, previous visa declines, deportation liability, and family-based residence applications. Fluent in English and Greek, she is known for her analytical approach and ability to navigate challenging immigration situations.
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Vera joined Visa Legal in 2021 after completing the Graduate Diploma in New Zealand Immigration Advice. Having lived in both New Zealand and Greece, Vera understands first-hand the opportunities, challenges, and barriers that many migrants face when building a life in another country.
Vera brings a unique academic background to her role as an Immigration Adviser. In addition to her specialist qualification in New Zealand Immigration Advice, she holds a Master of Science in Psychology, a Postgraduate Diploma in Intercultural Communication and Applied Translation, a Bachelor of Science with First Class Honours in Psychology, and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Criminology. She is also bilingual in English and Greek, a NZSTI Affiliate Interpreter, and a NAATI Certified Provisional Interpreter.
Vera has extensive experience across both temporary and residence visa categories and has particular expertise in complex immigration matters. These include character issues, previous visa declines, allegations of false or misleading information, deportation liability, section 61 requests, Special Direction requests, and requests for Ministerial Intervention.
Vera’s academic and professional background has equipped her with strong analytical, research, and communication skills. She has a particular talent for understanding complex situations, identifying risks and opportunities, and preparing persuasive submissions that clearly present her clients’ circumstances.
Clients value Vera’s ability to explain complex immigration requirements in simple, clear language. Vera is passionate about helping migrants achieve their goals in New Zealand and takes pride in providing thoughtful, practical, and compassionate advice throughout every stage of the immigration journey.
Adriana Barrera
LIA 202200338
Originally from Mexico, Adriana combines experience as a medical professional, English language teacher, and Immigration Adviser. She has particular experience helping skilled migrants navigate residence pathways associated with professional registration and registration-based occupations, including Green List occupations.
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Originally from Mexico, Adriana migrated to New Zealand with her wife in 2017. Having navigated her own migration journey, she understands first-hand both the opportunities and challenges that migrants can experience when building a new life in a new country.
Adriana is a qualified English language teacher, holding a CELTA qualification. She has taught English in both Malaysia and New Zealand and has worked with migrants from diverse backgrounds. This experience enables her to provide practical guidance to clients preparing for English language requirements associated with residence applications.
Prior to entering the immigration industry, Adriana trained as a medical professional. She holds a Medical Degree, a Specialist Qualification in Rehabilitation Medicine, and a Subspecialty Qualification in Neurological Rehabilitation.
While the challenges associated with transferring overseas qualifications ultimately led her to pursue a different career path, her medical training continues to provide significant value in her work as an Immigration Adviser. Her ability to understand medical terminology, analyse medical information, and anticipate potential issues arising from health assessments has proven invaluable for many of our clients.
Within the Visa Legal team, Adriana is known for her exceptional understanding of immigration instructions and is often the person colleagues turn to when researching complex policy issues and developing strategies for difficult cases.
Few immigration professionals in New Zealand can offer the breadth of experience that Adriana brings to her role. Combining professional training as a medical professional, experience as an English language teacher, and extensive immigration knowledge, Adriana is uniquely positioned to assist clients facing complex situations.
As a fluent Spanish and English speaker, Adriana has assisted hundreds of Spanish-speaking migrants throughout their immigration journeys. Clients appreciate her thoughtful approach, attention to detail, and genuine commitment to helping people achieve their goals in New Zealand.
Melanie Bradley
LIA 201400716
Licensed since 2014, Melanie has extensive experience managing skilled residence pathways and employer-supported visas, particularly in the agriculture, construction, hospitality, and tourism sectors. Her industry knowledge allows her to provide practical immigration advice that reflects both policy requirements and workplace realities.
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Melanie’s interest in different cultures and languages began at a young age. As a teenager, she spent a year living in Peru as part of an AFS student exchange programme, where she immersed herself in a new culture and began learning Spanish.
Melanie later completed a degree in Social Anthropology at the University of Auckland before going on to complete a Graduate Certificate in Immigration Advice. She has been a Licensed Immigration Adviser since 2014.
Over the course of her career, Melanie has assisted migrants from a wide range of backgrounds and has supervised and mentored several Immigration Advisers. Today, much of her role focuses on supporting the Visa Legal team, developing systems and processes that improve efficiency and client experience, and helping the other Advisers deliver excellent outcomes for their clients.
Melanie has extensive experience across skilled residence pathways and employer-supported visas. She has developed particular expertise in the agriculture and construction sectors and, having spent five years living and working in Queenstown, has also assisted many employers and migrants in the hospitality and tourism industries.
Having grown up on a dairy farm has given Melanie knowledge of an industry that is a specialised area of immigration practice. Employment arrangements in the dairy sector are unique due to seasonal demands, and immigration outcomes can depend on a practical understanding of different farming roles and how Immigration New Zealand assesses occupations in the sector.
Known for her caring nature, Melanie has built a reputation within the immigration industry as someone who is approachable, practical, and trusted by both clients and colleagues. She has a genuine interest in helping people achieve their goals in New Zealand and is passionate about making a meaningful contribution to the immigration advice profession.
What our clients say
How our process works
Step 1: Free 15-Minute Consultation
The purpose of the free 15-minute consultation is to briefly discuss your circumstances and identify whether you may have a potential pathway to residence in New Zealand.
During the consultation we will:
✅ Understand your circumstances and goals
✅ Discuss potential residence pathways
✅ Identify any obvious risks or concerns
✅ Explain the next steps
As the consultation is limited to 15 minutes, it is not intended to provide detailed immigration advice or assess eligibility for residence pathways.
If we believe you may have a potential pathway to residence, we will usually recommend a Residence Pre-Assessment.
If we do not believe you have a pathway based on your current circumstances, we may offer to work with you to help you plan a potential pathway.
Step 2: Residence Pre-Assessment (NZD$400)
The Residence Pre-Assessment is designed to assess your potential eligibility for New Zealand’s skilled residence pathways and provide a clear strategy towards residence.
As part of the assessment, we will review:
✅ Potential residence pathways that may be available to you
✅ Qualification requirements
✅ Professional registration requirements (where applicable)
✅ Current remuneration and relevant wage thresholds
✅ Whether previous work experience meets residence requirements
✅ Estimated timeframes for residence eligibility
✅ Potential risks, concerns, or gaps in your circumstances
Following the assessment, you will receive written feedback outlining:
➡️ The residence pathways that may be available to you
➡️ Any risks or concerns identified
➡️ Recommended next steps
If you later engage VisaLegal to prepare your residence application, the assessment fee will be credited towards our professional fees.
Step 3: Skill Level Assessment (If Required) Additional Fee: NZD$400
For some occupations, particularly management roles and others where classification is complex, we may recommend a Skill Level Assessment alongside the Residence Pre-Assessment.
This assessment evaluates how Immigration New Zealand is likely to classify a role under ANZSCO or the National Occupation List (NOL), and determine its skill level. It is especially valuable where residence eligibility depends on occupation classification or skill level.
As part of the assessment, we will review:
✅ Duties and responsibilities performed in the role as described in the Position Description
✅ The structure of the organisation and reporting lines
✅ The scope and scale of the business operation
✅ Relevant ANZSCO and NOL occupations
✅ Any additional information obtained from discussions with you or your employer
You will receive a written report outlining:
➡️ The occupation(s) we considered
➡️ Our assessment of the most appropriate occupation classification
➡️ The reasons supporting that assessment, including reference to decisions of the Immigration and Protection Tribunal where relevant
➡️ Any risks or areas of uncertainty identified
➡️ Recommendations that may strengthen your position
A Skill Level Assessment is not required for all occupations. If we believe it would benefit your situation, we will discuss this with you during your Free 15-Minute Consultation or Residence Pre-Assessment.
If you later engage VisaLegal to prepare your residence application, the assessment fee will be credited towards our professional fees.
Step 4: Residence Application Preparation
If you decide to proceed with a residence application, VisaLegal can assist with preparing and lodging your application with Immigration New Zealand.
Our services typically include:
✅ Review of supporting documentation
✅ Advice regarding evidence requirements
✅ Preparation of submissions where required
✅ Communication with Immigration New Zealand
✅ Ongoing support throughout the application process
Professional fees vary depending on the complexity of the application and the residence pathway involved.
Any fees paid for a Residence Pre-Assessment and Skill Level Assessment will be credited towards our professional fees if you engage VisaLegal to prepare your residence application.
How our process works
Step 1: Free 15-Minute Consultation
The purpose of the free 15-minute consultation is to briefly discuss your circumstances and identify whether you may have a potential pathway to residence in New Zealand.
During the consultation we will:
✅ Understand your circumstances and goals
✅ Discuss potential residence pathways
✅ Identify any obvious risks or concerns
✅ Explain the next steps
As the consultation is limited to 15 minutes, it is not intended to provide detailed immigration advice or assess eligibility for residence pathways.
If we believe you may have a potential pathway to residence, we will usually recommend a Residence Pre-Assessment.
If we do not believe you have a pathway based on your current circumstances, we may offer to work with you to help you plan a potential pathway.
Step 2: Residence Pre-Assessment (NZD$400)
The Residence Pre-Assessment is designed to assess your potential eligibility for New Zealand’s skilled residence pathways and provide a clear strategy towards residence.
As part of the assessment, we will review:
✅ Potential residence pathways that may be available to you
✅ Qualification requirements
✅ Professional registration requirements (where applicable)
✅ Current remuneration and relevant wage thresholds
✅ Whether previous work experience meets residence requirements
✅ Estimated timeframes for residence eligibility
✅ Potential risks, concerns, or gaps in your circumstances
Following the assessment, you will receive written feedback outlining:
➡️ The residence pathways that may be available to you
➡️ Any risks or concerns identified
➡️ Recommended next steps
If you later engage VisaLegal to prepare your residence application, the assessment fee will be credited towards our professional fees.
Step 3: Skill Level Assessment (If Required) Additional Fee: NZD$400
For some occupations, particularly management roles and others where classification is complex, we may recommend a Skill Level Assessment alongside the Residence Pre-Assessment.
This assessment evaluates how Immigration New Zealand is likely to classify a role under ANZSCO or the National Occupation List (NOL), and determine its skill level. It is especially valuable where residence eligibility depends on occupation classification or skill level.
As part of the assessment, we will review:
✅ Duties and responsibilities performed in the role as described in the Position Description
✅ The structure of the organisation and reporting lines
✅ The scope and scale of the business operation
✅ Relevant ANZSCO and NOL occupations
✅ Any additional information obtained from discussions with you or your employer
You will receive a written report outlining:
➡️ The occupation(s) we considered
➡️ Our assessment of the most appropriate occupation classification
➡️ The reasons supporting that assessment, including reference to decisions of the Immigration and Protection Tribunal where relevant
➡️ Any risks or areas of uncertainty identified
➡️ Recommendations that may strengthen your position
A Skill Level Assessment is not required for all occupations. If we believe it would benefit your situation, we will discuss this with you during your Free 15-Minute Consultation or Residence Pre-Assessment.
If you later engage VisaLegal to prepare your residence application, the assessment fee will be credited towards our professional fees.
Step 4: Residence Application Preparation
If you decide to proceed with a residence application, VisaLegal can assist with preparing and lodging your application with Immigration New Zealand.
Our services typically include:
✅ Review of supporting documentation
✅ Advice regarding evidence requirements
✅ Preparation of submissions where required
✅ Communication with Immigration New Zealand
✅ Ongoing support throughout the application process
Professional fees vary depending on the complexity of the application and the residence pathway involved.
Any fees paid for a Residence Pre-Assessment and Skill Level Assessment will be credited towards our professional fees if you engage VisaLegal to prepare your residence application.
How our process works
Step 1: Free 15-Minute Consultation
The purpose of the free 15-minute consultation is to briefly discuss your circumstances and identify whether you may have a potential pathway to residence in New Zealand.
During the consultation we will:
✅ Understand your circumstances and goals
✅ Discuss potential residence pathways
✅ Identify any obvious risks or concerns
✅ Explain the next steps
As the consultation is limited to 15 minutes, it is not intended to provide detailed immigration advice or assess eligibility for residence pathways.
If we believe you may have a potential pathway to residence, we will usually recommend a Residence Pre-Assessment.
If we do not believe you have a pathway based on your current circumstances, we may offer to work with you to help you plan a potential pathway.
Step 2: Residence Pre-Assessment (NZD$400)
The Residence Pre-Assessment is designed to assess your potential eligibility for New Zealand’s skilled residence pathways and provide a clear strategy towards residence.
As part of the assessment, we will review:
✅ Potential residence pathways that may be available to you
✅ Qualification requirements
✅ Professional registration requirements (where applicable)
✅ Current remuneration and relevant wage thresholds
✅ Whether previous work experience meets residence requirements
✅ Estimated timeframes for residence eligibility
✅ Potential risks, concerns, or gaps in your circumstances
Following the assessment, you will receive written feedback outlining:
➡️ The residence pathways that may be available to you
➡️ Any risks or concerns identified
➡️ Recommended next steps
If you later engage VisaLegal to prepare your residence application, the assessment fee will be credited towards our professional fees.
Step 3: Skill Level Assessment (If Required) Additional Fee: NZD$400
For some occupations, particularly management roles and others where classification is complex, we may recommend a Skill Level Assessment alongside the Residence Pre-Assessment.
This assessment evaluates how Immigration New Zealand is likely to classify a role under ANZSCO or the National Occupation List (NOL), and determine its skill level. It is especially valuable where residence eligibility depends on occupation classification or skill level.
As part of the assessment, we will review:
✅ Duties and responsibilities performed in the role as described in the Position Description
✅ The structure of the organisation and reporting lines
✅ The scope and scale of the business operation
✅ Relevant ANZSCO and NOL occupations
✅ Any additional information obtained from discussions with you or your employer
You will receive a written report outlining:
➡️ The occupation(s) we considered
➡️ Our assessment of the most appropriate occupation classification
➡️ The reasons supporting that assessment, including reference to decisions of the Immigration and Protection Tribunal where relevant
➡️ Any risks or areas of uncertainty identified
➡️ Recommendations that may strengthen your position
A Skill Level Assessment is not required for all occupations. If we believe it would benefit your situation, we will discuss this with you during your Free 15-Minute Consultation or Residence Pre-Assessment.
If you later engage VisaLegal to prepare your residence application, the assessment fee will be credited towards our professional fees.
Step 4: Residence Application Preparation
If you decide to proceed with a residence application, VisaLegal can assist with preparing and lodging your application with Immigration New Zealand.
Our services typically include:
✅ Review of supporting documentation
✅ Advice regarding evidence requirements
✅ Preparation of submissions where required
✅ Communication with Immigration New Zealand
✅ Ongoing support throughout the application process
Professional fees vary depending on the complexity of the application and the residence pathway involved.
Any fees paid for a Residence Pre-Assessment and Skill Level Assessment will be credited towards our professional fees if you engage VisaLegal to prepare your residence application.
Ready to take the next step?
Get in touch with one of our Licensed Immigration Advisers today!