New Zealand has introduced significant updates to its Temporary Work Visa application process, aimed at addressing labor shortages and attracting skilled professionals. These changes are designed to simplify the process, improve fairness, and help businesses meet their workforce needs more efficiently. Here’s an overview of what applicants and employers need to know about the new regulations.
1. Streamlined Visa Categories
One of the most notable changes is the consolidation of various temporary work visa categories into a single system. Instead of navigating through multiple visa types, applicants can now apply under a more unified framework, simplifying the process for both workers and employers.
- New Visa Categories: The Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) has replaced previous visas such as the Essential Skills Work Visa.
- Employer Accreditation: Employers need to be accredited by Immigration New Zealand to hire temporary workers under the AEWV scheme.
2. Strengthened Employer Requirements
New Zealand is placing greater emphasis on ensuring that local talent is considered first. Before hiring foreign workers, businesses must prove that they are unable to find suitable candidates within the local job market.
- Labor Market Testing: Employers must demonstrate that no suitable New Zealanders are available for the position before offering it to a temporary work visa applicant.
- Accreditation Process: To employ temporary workers, businesses must meet new accreditation requirements, which include demonstrating good workplace practices and the ability to support migrant workers.
3. Changes in Salary Thresholds
To align with the country’s goal of attracting skilled professionals, New Zealand has adjusted the salary thresholds for temporary work visas. This is to ensure that visa holders are being paid competitively and fairly compared to local workers.
- Competitive Wages: Employers must meet new wage criteria to prove they are offering competitive salaries that align with industry standards in New Zealand.
- Living Wage Requirement: In some cases, the introduction of a living wage threshold aims to protect temporary workers from exploitation.
4. Pathway to Residence
A significant update to the Temporary Work Visa process is the inclusion of a clearer pathway to permanent residency for skilled workers. This change is part of New Zealand’s broader strategy to attract and retain global talent.
- Permanent Residency: Workers on the AEWV may have the opportunity to transition to residency if they meet specific criteria, such as long-term employment in a high-demand occupation.
5. Emphasis on Skills Shortages
New Zealand’s immigration policies continue to focus on addressing specific labor shortages in industries such as healthcare, construction, IT, and agriculture. The new changes support the government’s efforts to attract skilled migrants to sectors that are experiencing the greatest demand.
Skills Shortage List: Priority is given to applicants who have skills in shortage areas, with faster processing times for these visa applications.
6. Improved Processing Times
To make the application process more efficient, New Zealand has introduced improvements in visa processing times. The goal is to reduce delays and help businesses quickly fill critical roles.
Faster Turnaround: With streamlined categories and a more structured process, visa applications, especially for high-demand industries, are expected to be processed more quickly.
