New Zealand is making changes to its immigration system to attract highly skilled migrants and reduce the risk of migrant exploitation.
Effective from 7 April 2024, below are the top 5 changes:
> English language skills for low-skilled jobs, setting minimum experience requirements, and increasing employer checks.
> The maximum stay for some visa holders will be reduced from 5 to 3 years.
> Plans to add 17 new occupations to a Green List has been revised with only 6 being added.
> Work to Residence for bus/truck drivers policy revised.
> Changes to Construction and Infrastructure Sector Agreement.
Changes to the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV)
Current AEWV holders:
> AEWV applications made before June 21, 2023, and the roles falls under ANZSCO levels 4 and 5, with a salary meeting or exceeding the required AEWV wage rate, and applicants currently hold a three-year AEWV, you will no longer be eligible for the maximum five-year extension.
> Visa holders on ANZSCO level 4 and 5 roles on a pathway to residence, will not be affected by these changes.
> Those who apply for a further AEWV on or after 7 April 2024, will have to meet the new criteria.
New AEWV application:
> New applicants must have work experience or recognised qualifications additional to what an employer requires.
> Applicants applying for roles on Green List and meet the Green List role requirements, or are paid least twice the median wage.
> Employers must verify the skills and experience required for the role are genuinely held by the applicant.
> New applicants applying for roles that are level 4 or 5 need to prove have the required English proficiency and may need to provide an English language test.
> Applicants on roles level 4 and 5 will be eligible for a max visa of 3 years and the others on skill level roles 1-3 will continue to be eligible for a 5 year visa.
> Employers need to confirm there were no suitable and available New Zealanders for the role as per the definition. This is not required for roles on the Green List, or paid twice the median wage.
> However Employers are required to engage with Work and Income for skill level roles 4 and 5 unless the role is exempt.
Changes to Work to Residence and occupations on the Green List
Work to Residence changes for bus and truck drivers
> Bus and truck drivers who apply for an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) on or after 7 April 2024 will not be eligible to apply for a Transport Work to Residence visa.
> Those who already hold an AEWV and those who have applied for an AEWV (and are later approved) will still be eligible for a Transport Work to Residence visa.
Green List changes
On 8 April 2024, 6 roles will be added to the Green List:
Straight to Residence
– Aviation Engineer (Avionics, Aeronautical, Aerospace Engineer)
– Naval Architect (aka Marine Designer)
– ICT Database and Systems Administrator
– Mechanical Engineering Technician
– Aircraft Maintenance Engineer
Work to Residence
– Corrections Officer
The previously announced roles will not be added to the Green List:
Paving Plant Operator, Metal Fabricator, Pressure Welder, Welder, Fitter (General), Fitter and Turner, Fitter-Welder, Metal Machinist (First Class), Panel Beater, Vehicle Painter, Road Roller Operator
Construction and Infrastructure Sector Agreement
Previous plans to add these 7 roles to the Construction and Infrastructure Sector Agreement will not progress:
Driller’s Assistant, Earthmoving Labourer, Earthmoving Plant Operator general, Linemarker, Machine Operators not elsewhere classified, Mechanic’s Assistant, Road Traffic Controller
Phone: 0800 69 69 77 (from within NZ only)
Email: info@ajvglobal.com
Author: Mary Joseph, General Manager New Zealand and Licensed Immigration Adviser
