Category: Updates

The Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment (MBIE) is now conducting post-accreditation checks with Accredited Employer Work Visa employers to ensure their compliance with accreditation requirements. This process aims to identify any instances of migrant worker exploitation.

It is important to note that any accredited employer may be selected for this process. MBIE may request information from selected employers to check their compliance.

It is essential for employers to comply with all accreditation requirements and ensure they have accurate records of all correspondences and undertakings.

The information requested could include any or a combination of the following:

• Financial statements to demonstrate financial viability
• Evidence of PAYE payments to migrant employees
• Evidence of how payment was made to the offshore recruitment agents of their migrant employees
• Hiring dates of migrant employees
• Evidence showing that settlement information was provided to migrant employees
• Logs of hours worked by migrant workers
• Information about the main persons involved in the business and their role

MBIE staff members may also conduct site visits in some cases if this is the best way to gather the necessary information.

To know about the obligations of an accredited employer, click here

Get in touch with Immigration Advisors New Zealand Ltd, which provides up-to-date immigration information so you can consider opportunities and prepare yourself for the future. To know all the required procedures, contact us at contact@nzimmigration.info or call on +64 09 3790219.

The New Zealand Government has announced an extension to the initial accreditation period for the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) program, providing businesses with more certainty as they adjust to the new accreditation system.

Employers who are currently accredited under the AEWV program do not need to take any further action, as their accreditation will be automatically extended to 24 months from their initial approval date.

Accredited employers will receive notifications when the expiry dates on their current accreditation certificates are updated in the enhanced Immigration Online system. The Government aims to complete this process by 2 June 2023.

More information about the accreditation extension can be found here

Existing accreditation applications

Employers currently processing an accreditation application will not need to take any additional action. Upon approval, the 12-month accreditation will be updated to 24 months in Immigration Online. Employers will be notified when their accreditation is approved.

New accreditation applications

• Applications made before 4 July 2023 will receive 24-month accreditation upon approval.
• Applications for first-time accreditation made after 4 July 2023 will receive 12-month accreditation upon approval.

For information about the accreditation process, click here

Get in touch with Immigration Advisors New Zealand Ltd, which provides up-to-date immigration information so you can consider opportunities and prepare yourself for the future. To know all the required procedures, contact us at contact@nzimmigration.info or call on +64 09 3790219.

The New Zealand government has made some key changes to health roles in Green List of occupations. The key changes are as following:

• 32 new roles have been added, allowing more healthcare professionals the chance to enter the country
• All existing Green List health roles will now be moved to the Straight to Residence pathway

This decision has been made in recognition of the critical and nationally important nature of these roles, as well as the growing demand for skilled professionals across various health specialisations.

Roles in social service, education & the justice sector which support the delivery of health services are included in the list.

To know about the new health roles added to the Green List, click here

Eligibility to apply for Straight to Residence

Starting from the 29th of May, 2023, eligible individuals will be able to apply Straight to Residence.In order to apply for the Straight to Residence visa, applicants must meet the requirements for their respective occupation as detailed in the Green List, provided by Immigration New Zealand (INZ).

For the Green List roles, click here

2021 Resident Visa Applications

While this announcement certainly comes as welcome news for those looking to secure a future in the healthcare industry, it is important to note that individuals who have already applied for a 2021 Resident Visa should continue with their existing applications. The government has indicated that processing for 2021 Resident Visas is nearing completion, and applicants should not be deterred from pursuing their ongoing applications.

Sector Agreements for Other Essential Roles

In addition to the new health roles added to the Green List, the government has also provided updates on sector agreements for other essential roles, specifically within the transport sector. Last year, it was announced that a transport sector agreement was being developed, which would include a two-year work to residence pathway for truck drivers and bus drivers.

Now, the government has confirmed that essential maritime transport roles such as ship’s masters (or ‘skippers’) and deckhands, will be included in the transport sector agreement as well, providing these professionals with a two-year work to residence pathway.

The detailed settings for the transport sector agreement are expected to be announced in the near future.

Get in touch with Immigration Advisors New Zealand Ltd., which provides up-to-date immigration information so you can consider opportunities and prepare yourself for the future. To know all the required procedures, contact us at contact@nzimmigration.info or call on +64 09 3790219.

Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has announced changes to the New Zealand Working Holiday Scheme effective from 1 July 2023. The changes will allow UK citizens can travel and work in New Zealand for a longer duration. This is a positive development for New Zealand and British citizens wanting to work and explore New Zealand, as well as for businesses who hire them.

Main changes for UK citizens from 1 July 2023 –

• WHV will be available to individuals aged 18-35 years. Currently, its available only for the 18-30 age group
• WHV holders will be entitled to up to a three-year stay in New Zealand. It is currently 23 months for UK WHS visa holders.
• UK WHV holders can work for the full duration of their visa.
• There will be an annual cap of 15,000 for this visa. There is currently no cap for UK nationals.

More information about the WHV for UK travellers can be found here.

Medicals & Police Clearance Certificates

For stays over 12 months, UK WHV visa applicants must submit a medical and chest x-ray certificate. More information about WHV medical requirements can be found here.

If the planned stay is 36 months, police certificates will also be required. Information about who must provide a police clearance certificate can be found here.

Impact on current UKWHV holders

Current UK WHV can extend their stay and apply for the three-year maximum stay. This extension will enable them to work and remain in New Zealand for the rest of their stay.

Current UK WHS visa holders will have to provide a medical and x-ray certificate and police certificates to support their application in case they haven’t done so already.

More information about the changes will be announced closer to July.

Get in touch with Immigration Advisors New Zealand Ltd, which provides up-to-date immigration information so you can consider opportunities and prepare yourself for the future. To know all the required procedures, contact us at contact@nzimmigration.info or call on +64 09 3790219.

Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has announced changes to the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme to support the recovery effort after Cyclone Gabrielle and improve efficiency and care for workers across the seasonal employer sector.

These changes will help ensure that employers have access to skilled labour when they need it, while ensuring that RSE workers have a safe and secure workplace environment. INZ is also introducing stronger monitoring of RSE employers to provide better oversight and protect workers’ rights.

These changes are set to benefit both workers and employers equally across the seasonal employer sector, as well as provide greater financial security for those working in this important industry.

Changes to current settings from 1 March 2023 –

• Accommodation costs will be temporarily frozen
• RSE employers must complete Employment NZ e-modules at least once during each RSE status period.
• INZ may request proof that employer e-modules have been completed at any point during the RSE period.

Effects of Cyclone Gabrielle on RSE workers

The government is working with Pacific partners to help ensure RSE workers can continue their work in the country if they choose.

RSE workers affected by Cyclone Gabrielle will have the opportunity to work in unaffected regions of New Zealand, with a minimum of 30 hours per week and $22.10 per hour.

Options for onshore RSE workers

• Onshore RSE workers can choose to work for a new employer in the same region for up to one month without needing a new visa, provided the original employer agrees.
• Employers of cyclone-affected RSE workers can apply for an RSE limited visa, allowing their workers to move to other employers or locations without having to pay a fee or complete an application, and in certain scenarios may be approved without the new employer having an agreement to recruit.
• The new RSE visa will have the same expiry date as the original visa, and employers will be contacted directly by INZ with the application details.

RSE applications

INZ has announced that beginning 1 March 2023, they will consider the effects of Cyclone Gianelle when assessing applicants for the RSE scheme. This will include employers completing employer e-modules as part of the application process.

More information about RSE workers affected by Cyclone Gabrielle can be found here

Supplementary Seasonal Employer (SSE) Settings

Applications for SSE work visas made on or before 31 December 2022 will be assessed according to COVID-19 guidelines. Any applications received after this date must meet the standard requirements.

More information about the Supplementary Seasonal Employment Work Visa can be found here

Get in touch with Immigration Advisors New Zealand Ltd, which provides up-to-date immigration information so you can consider opportunities and prepare yourself for the future. To know all the required procedures, contact us at contact@nzimmigration.info or call on +64 09 3790219.

The New Zealand Government has made the following changes to the 2022 Special Ukraine Visa to support the Ukrainian community in New Zealand –

The timeframe for submitting Expressions of Interest (EOI) has been extended

The final date for submitting EOIs for the 2022 Special Ukraine Visa has been extended by a year to 15 March 2024 to allow Ukrainians in New Zealand more time to bring their families

The period allowed for travel to New Zealand has been extended

For applications submitted 16 March 2023 onwards, the time allowed for travelling to New Zealand on the 2022 Special Ukraine Visa has been extended from 9 months to 12 months

The sponsorship criteria have been extended

Changes have been made to the sponsorship criteria for the 2022 Special Ukraine Visa.

Applicants must have a nominating family member who meets the NZ and Ukrainian residency requirements, as well as an acceptable sponsor or entity to take on financial responsibility for them.  The sponsor and the nominating family member can be the same person.

Eligibility has been broadened to include New Zealand residents and citizens with a Ukrainian parent or grandparent, in addition to other adult family members, partners and dependent children who have lived with the family for a substantial period of time. Expressions of interest under these criteria may be submitted from 27 March 2023

To know more about the eligibility criteria for sponsorship, click here

To know about the changes to the eligibility criteria and EOI, please click here

Support Extended by the New Zealand Government

The government has decided to –

• Waive the immigration fees
• Not require applicants to submit police or medical certificates
• Not require English language tests
• Not require visa applicants to have access to funds

Besides the above, children under 16 years of age travelling with a single parent must include custody arrangement-related information along with the application.

Get in touch with Immigration Advisors New Zealand Ltd, which provides up-to-date immigration information so you can consider opportunities and prepare yourself for the future. To know all the required procedures, contact us at contact@nzimmigration.info  or call on +64 09 3790219.

The eligibility criteria of Victims of Family Violence Work Visa is being expanded by Immigration New Zealand (INZ) to include partners of temporary migrants affected by family violence.

This visa is available from 28 February 2023, has a 6-month duration and open work rights and there is no fee to apply.

Currently, partners of New Zealand citizens and residents can already access the visa.

This change is intended to reduce the difficulties experienced by migrant victims of family violence, who may also be able to apply for an extension or a Victims of Family Violence Resident Visa upon expiry.

More information about the Family Violence Work Visa  & its eligibility criteria can be found here.

Get in touch with Immigration Advisors New Zealand Ltd, which provides up-to-date immigration information so you can consider opportunities and prepare yourself for the future. To know all the required procedures, contact us at contact@nzimmigration.info  or call on +64 09 3790219.

Changes to the Work Rights of Partners under Immigration Rebalance

Immigration Rebalance encourages employers to use the New Zealand labour market instead of relying on migrant workers and partners of temporary migrants to fill lower-skilled, lower paid roles.

Starting 31 May 2023, new visa conditions will be applicable to partners of most Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) and Essential Skills Work Visa (ESWV) holders needing a partnership-based work visa. They must be –

• employed by an Accredited Employer
• their salary must meet the median wage or the wage threshold if the role is covered by an un-capped sector agreement.

The median wage is set at NZD $29.66 on 27 February 2023, although some exceptions exist. For information about AEWV roles exempt from paying the median wage, click here

Visa Options for Partners

Partners of AEWV and ESWV holders can apply for their own work visa or partnership visa based on their relationship with the AEWV or ESWV holder – Partner of a Worker Work Visa.

Partners of a Worker Work Visa applications lodged on or after 31 May 2023 will have to abide by the new visa conditions –

• Partners making new applications don’t need a job offer to apply.
• They can change employers without contacting INZ.
• Visa length will usually be the same as the supporting partner’s visa.

The new changes do not apply to the following –

1. Existing partnership-based work visas holders (until their visa expires)
2. Partners of migrants working in occupations on the Green List or paid twice the median wage
3. Partners of New Zealanders
4. Partners of other temporary visa holders

Sector agreements may have specific requirements.  Also, partners who don’t want to work in New Zealand can apply for Visitor Visas.

All applications must the Partner of a Worker form.

Sector agreements and roles paid below the median wage

• AEWV holders who are covered by a sector agreement or paid below the median wage will continue to be unable to support a partner.
• ESWV holders who are also paid below the median wage, or are lower skilled if the application was lodged before 27 July 2020, cannot currently support a partner and will continue to be unable to support a partner under new settings.
• Partners of Worker Work Visas may work in sector agreements without being subject to a stand-down period but not in capped roles.

Get in touch with Immigration Advisors New Zealand Ltd for assistance with a partnership-based visa. Contact us at contact@nzimmigration.info  or call on +64 09 3790219.

On February 2023, severe Tropical Cyclone Gabrielle hit New Zealand and had a devastating impact, causing an estimated NZ$13 billion (US$8.12 billion) in damages.

The Government, in response, has announced the launch of the Recovery Visa (a sub-type of the Specific Purpose or Event Work Visa) for migrant workers, effective 24 February 2023, to assist with recovery efforts in the wake of the devastation left behind.

This is a short-term visa which will allow New Zealand employers to sponsor migrants to come to New Zealand to work on the emergency response.

New Zealand requires specialists such as insurance assessors, infrastructure and utilities engineers and technicians, heavy machinery operators, and debris removal workers to work with their onshore experts.

Information about how the new visa can be found here.

What is the Recovery visa – Specific Purpose Work visa

The New Zealand government has put in place a Recovery Visa to assist in the relief efforts of North Island. This specific purpose work visa allows migrant workers to help out for up to six months. To apply for this visa, employers must confirm that the role supports relief efforts, and applicants must submit a Recovery Visa – Employer Supplementary form along with their other documents. There is also a NZ$700 fee associated with the application; however, applicants will be refunded this amount when successful.

Who is this visa for

The visa is for migrant workers coming to New Zealand for a short time (up to 6 months) to do a job that supports the North Island recovery from extreme weather events in January and February 2023.

This support can include:

• providing emergency response
• immediate clean-up
• assessing risk or loss
• infrastructure, building and housing stabilisation and/or repair (including planning functions)
• work that directly supports the recovery (e.g. producing relevant materials for road rebuild, transport drivers etc).

How to apply

When employers have identified migrant workers to contribute to recovery efforts, they and the worker must each complete specific forms required by INZ. First, the employer needs to complete the Recovery Visa – Employer Supplementary form and provide it to the migrant worker. The worker then needs to submit a Specific Purpose Work visa application, including the Recovery Visa application form as an attachment, specifying how long they intend to stay in New Zealand (6 months or less). INZ estimates that most applications will be processed within a week, with some decisions being given even faster.

Click here for detailed information about the Recovery Visa.

Long-term roles

Employers looking to recruit migrant workers for long-term roles must apply for an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV). Changes are being proposed to the AEWV instructions to expedite the processing of certain positions to aid recovery and rebuilding.  These positions will be exempt from labour market testing.

More information on this is yet to come.

Migrant Workers in New Zealand

Migrants already in New Zealand can change their role and location for up to two months without violating visa conditions; however, they must stay with the same employer throughout.

Migrants wishing to move to another employer must apply for a Job Change or Variation of Conditions.

Get in touch with Immigration Advisors New Zealand Ltd, which provides up-to-date immigration information so you can consider opportunities and prepare yourself for the future. To know all the required procedures, contact us at contact@nzimmigration.info  or call on +64 09 3790219.

Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has implemented changes to the immigration instructions and updated most wage thresholds in line with the new median wage which is NZD 29.66 an hour effective 27 February 2023.

In addition to this change, an exception has been established in the immigration instructions for the Accredited Employer Work Visa. This exception enables employers to use existing job checks which were approved based on the previous median wage rate of NZD 27.76 an hour.

However, employers will need to pay the new applicable wage rate if the application is lodged after the new rate comes into effect on 27 February 2023 ie.  employment offers must meet the wage rate applicable on the date a work visa application is lodged.

Get in touch with Immigration Advisors New Zealand Ltd, which provides up-to-date immigration information so you can consider opportunities and prepare yourself for the future. To know all the required procedures, contact us at contact@nzimmigration.info or call on +64 09 3790219.

Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has decided to postpone the selection for this month’s Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) Expression of Interest (EOI), due to extreme weather events caused by Cyclone Gabrielle.

The new selection date is Wednesday 22 February 2023. This change is a one-off and is intended to help those applicants who have been impacted by the storm, such as power outages or displacement from their homes due to flooding.

Applicants are urged to ensure that they submit their EOIs in time for next week’s draw; while March 2023’s selection will resume normally next month.

Get in touch with Immigration Advisors New Zealand Ltd, which provides up-to-date immigration information so you can consider opportunities and prepare yourself for the future. To know all the required procedures, contact us at contact@nzimmigration.info or call on +64 09 3790219.

 

On 14 February 2023, Immigration New Zealand (INZ) will select 1100 Expressions of Interest (EOIs) for the Parent Resident Visa Category, an increase from the 370 selected previously.

For more information regarding changes to the Parent Category, please click here.

In the previous EOI selection, many did not meet the application requirements.

• The number of EOIs selected each quarter may be adjusted depending on data regarding approved visas.
• February and May 2023 selections are only from those submitted before 12 October 2022 and will be chosen in date order; August 2023 selections include those after this date, which will be chosen by random ballot.

For information regarding when EOIs will be selected, please click here. It is important to ensure that all information in an EOI meets the requirements before selection takes place and update or withdraw if necessary using the relevant forms found on INZ’s website.

To update or withdraw their EOI, applicants must fill out a form linked on INZ’s website before selection takes place to reduce delays if they meet criteria; refunds may also be requested if withdrawn beforehand.

Please click here for the EOI Update Form.

Get in touch with Immigration Advisors New Zealand Ltd, which provides up-to-date immigration information so you can consider opportunities and prepare yourself for the future. To know all the required procedures, contact us at contact@nzimmigration.info or call +64 09 3790219.

Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has issued Immigration Amendment Circular (IAC) 2023-01. This amendment includes changes to the General Instructions for the order of processing visa applications by INZ, which prioritises 2021 Resident Visa families and Green List medical professionals.

The New Zealand immigration institutions have recently been amended to obtain a better structure of residence-class visa application types. As a result, priority processing will be accorded within each group based on specific visa categories.

A general statement has also been added to read alongside any immigration instructions specifically addressing the order or manner of processing visa applications. Furthermore, several Residence class visa categories that INZ added while COVID-19 border restrictions were in effect have been removed.

For 2021 Resident Visa applications, priority will be given if the principal applicant is a medical professional, has a job offer, is employed in an occupation on the Green List (Appendix 13), or has dependent family members outside New Zealand. Additionally, the 2021 Resident Visa queuing provisions are no longer needed, and all references to median wage amounts have been revised to reflect the current median wage ($27.76).

This change was effective on and after 22 December 2022.

For further information on 2021 Resident Visa applications and Green List medical professionals, please see the 2021 Resident Visa Amendment Circular 2021-02.

If you have any questions, please get in touch with us at contact@nzimmigration.info or submit an enquiry through our website. We look forward to working with you.For details kindly click this link.

The Expressions of Interest (EOI) selection process for the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) is conducted by Immigration New Zealand (INZ) periodically to allocate invitations to apply for residency. On 18 January 2023, 423 EOIs with a total of 180 or more points were selected, representing 1,004 people. This pool will now proceed with preliminary verification before the invitation to apply for residency is issued. After the selection, there are 653 EOIs remaining in the pool.

The EOI selection process for the SMC provides an opportunity for people to apply for residence in New Zealand. It is important to note that not all EOI will be accepted and further verification may be required before Invitations to Apply(ITA) for residency can be issued. INZ encourages those interested in applying under this category to regularly check their website for updates on EOI selections and invitation rounds. Henceforth, EOI selections will be conducted on the third Wednesday of every month and all EOI with at least 180 points will be selected.

We at Immigration Advisers New Zealand wish you the best of luck in your application process. Thank you for considering New Zealand as your new home. The Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment is currently consulting on the long-term direction of the Skilled Migrant Category.

The Nationality composition of Expressions of Interest can be seen by clicking on this link

2022 has been a year of multiple immigration updates and announcements.

The opening of New Zealand’s borders in a phased manner brought back the tourists, students, migrant workers, their partners, and dependent children who had been waiting patiently to enter the country.

The major highlights include the New 2021 Resident Visa, Accredited Employer Work Visa, Green List of Occupations, Post Study Work Visa changes,Parent Resident Visa, and re-opening of the Skilled Migrant Category. There has also been an increased focus on bringing and retaining skilled immigrants who can contribute to the society and economy of the country. With these updates, Immigration New Zealand continues its commitment to open borders and promote cultural exchange while encouraging economic growth.

Here are the main highlights:

2021 Resident Visa

The second phase of this one-off resident visa opened in March 2022. The 2021 Resident Visa closed at the end of July 2022. This visa category was divided into three criteria – settled, skilled & scarce. It enabled many migrants in New Zealand to get quick residence.

Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV)

The AEWV came into force in July 2022 replacing six temporary work visa categories. One of the most popular work visa categories – the Essential Skills Work Visa was also phased out. The AEWV made it mandatory for New Zealand employers to get accredited if they want to hire migrant workers.

Green List

In September 2022, Immigration New Zealand announced the Green List which is a list of highly skilled occupations that are in short supply in New Zealand and that lead to quick residence pathways. The three new residence categories are Straight to Residence, Work to Residence and Highly Paid.

In December 2022, registered nurses, midwives and specialist doctors were added to the list.

Post Study Work Visa Updates

Changes to the Post Study Work Visa rights were announced in September 2022. Unlike before when the applicants could work for any employer and in any role, the Post Study Work Visa now depends on the qualification studied and the time spent studying in New Zealand.

Furthermore, the NZ government has also announced granting of a 12-month open work visa to those applicants who held a Post Study Work Visa but were unable to enter New Zealand due to closed borders.

Parent Resident Visa

IN October 2022, the Parent Resident Visa category was reopened with a lower income threshold for sponsors.

Skilled Migrant Category

The Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa was reopened after a long hiatus in November 2022. The threshold was set at 160 points. The next draw will be in January 2023, and the points threshold has been increased to 180.

Critical Purpose Visitor Visa Update

From 15 December 2022, Critical Purpose Visitor Visa holders who want to remain in their current roles are being allowed to apply for 12-month validity Specific Purpose Work Visa.

2022 has truly been an eventful year for Immigration New Zealand (INZ) and applicants.

Get in touch with Immigration Advisors New Zealand Ltd, which provides up-to-date immigration information so you can consider opportunities and prepare yourself for the future. To know all the required procedures, contact us at contact@nzimmigration.info or call on +64 09 3790219.