New Zealand Tightens Visa Rules As Migration Hits ‘Unsustainable’ Levels, Shortens Work Permit For Workers
For roles that fall into the level 4 and 5, employers will need to engage with Work and Income before approval to bring in migrants will be granted.
New Zealand has implemented stricter visa regulations in response to high “unsustainable net migration” levels. The new criteria focus on skills and language proficiency, along with shorter work permit durations for international citizens. Changes include English language requirements for low-skilled positions and a minimum skills and work experience threshold for most employer work visas. Additionally, the maximum continuous stay for low-skilled jobs has been reduced from five to three years. These measures aim to manage migration flow effectively while ensuring that visa holders meet specific criteria to contribute positively to the country’s workforce.
“The Government is focused on attracting and retaining the highly skilled migrants such as secondary teachers, where there is a skill shortage,” Immigration Minister Erica Stanford said in a statement.
New Zealand new visa rule
- English-language requirements will be enforced for low-skill jobs.
- Most work visas will require a minimum threshold of skills, in the form of work experience or suitable qualifications.
- The maximum continuous stay allowed on work permits will be reduced to three years from five.
- Employers are also encouraged to hire immigrants only after making sure that there are no “suitable and available New Zealander” candidates who have applied for the job.
- Employers seeking to fill level 4 and 5 positions must engage with Work and Income before migrant approvals
Issuing new Accredited Employer Worker Visa (AEWV) for employers would mean that the organisations will have to ensure that migrants are employed for at least 30 hours every week.
Why is New Zealand tightening its visa regulations?
In 2023, 173,000 non-New Zealanders relocated to the country, as reported by BBC. With a population of 5.3 million, New Zealand has witnessed a migration surge since 2022. The government aims to prioritize job opportunities for its citizens to prevent unemployment concerns. By implementing a ‘smarter immigration system,’ New Zealand plans to manage net migration effectively. This strategy ensures that New Zealanders are given preference for jobs without skills shortages. The government’s focus on developing a more efficient immigration process reflects its commitment to balancing migration while safeguarding local job opportunities.
The statement read, “These changes are the start of a more comprehensive work programme to create a smarter immigration system that manages net migration, responds to our changing economic context, attracts top talent, revitalises international education, is self-funding and sustainable, and better manages risk.”
