Online Renewal Form for Employer Accreditation Now Accessible
The renewal form for maintaining status as an Accredited Employer within the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) programme is now accessible via the INZ website. Once approved, the renewal of accreditation will be effective for 24 months, or 12 months for businesses involved in triangular operations or franchises. To avoid a reduction in the accreditation period, employers should not apply prematurely. There is no action required for employers not seeking renewal. Optimal Application Period Employers with accreditation not near its expiry should hold off on reapplying until closer to the date. Check the INZ website for up-to-date processing times when ready to renew. Selecting the Appropriate Accreditation Category Choose the right accreditation category, as there are no refunds for incorrect applications. A secondary application will necessitate an additional fee. Further guidance on renewal procedures is outlined in the enhanced immigration online manual which can be found here. Requirements for Submitting Evidence The criteria for renewing accreditation remain uniform across all business types, necessitating both evidence and declarations. The standards for evidence include financial statements to establish financial viability and GST or PAYE records to verify the IRD number of the business. Additional details regarding accreditation will be communicated in due course.
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New Zealand has recently updated its immigration policies to facilitate residency for halal butchers, acknowledging their critical role in supporting the country's flourishing halal export sector. As a halal butcher working in New Zealand, you now stand a better chance at securing a long-term future in the country.
This development came into effect in March 2023, when halal butchers were officially listed under the Green List (Tier 2). This listing is part of a strategic move to accelerate the residency process for jobs that are pivotal to New Zealand's economic growth. Given that New Zealand is a leading exporter of halal meat, reaching out to a global market across 130 countries, the expertise of halal butchers is in high demand, though it's a niche skill set that is not widely available locally. The criteria for residency application under the Green List (Tier 2) include a minimum tenure of two years in a halal butchery role within New Zealand as well as earnings on par with or exceeding the median national wage. The applicant’s employment must also be under a business that has received accreditation from Immigration NZ, full-time, ongoing or with a minimum 12-month contract. Thers is also an age limit of below 56 years and Proof of proficiency in English, must be met and submitted as well as health and character checks. For those who align with these requirements, New Zealand is opening its doors wider, presenting a valuable opportunity for halal butchers to become permanent residents and enjoy the benefits of living in a country that values their skill and contribution to the economy. If your need assistance or more information, please visit here. The Public Service Commission announced the release of an independent external evaluation of the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) program on 27th February 2024. Initiated in August of the previous year by the then Minister of Immigration, the evaluation thoroughly assessed the suitability of all elements involved in the employer accreditation and job verification procedures conducted by Immigration New Zealand (INZ) within the AEWV framework. Key Findings of the Evaluation:
Recommendations and Improvements: The evaluation put forward 10 targeted recommendations to reduce the risk of migrant exploitation, establish an integrated compliance and monitoring framework, enhance intelligence collection, and improve the relationship between INZ’s senior leadership and frontline staff. Despite the challenges faced during the AEWV scheme's implementation, INZ and MBIE have made considerable progress in managing the scheme. This includes tightening settings since 30 June of the previous year to introduce additional checks and implementing robust risk reporting procedures. The scheme has played a crucial role in enabling employers to hire essential migrant workers, with over 23,000 approved accreditation applications for employers and more than 108,000 approved AEWV applications. To view the report, click on the below.
Would you like to determine if you are eligible to move and start working in New Zealand?
From 28 February 2024, New Zealand's immigration system will implement a median wage rate of NZD$31.61 per hour.
The updated rate will affect salary thresholds for the Skilled Migrant Category, Green List Straight to Residence and Work to Residence visas and the Parent Category Residence class visa. The wage threshold for the Transport Sector Work to Residence Visa will also increase in line with the new median wage (excluding bus drivers). Accredited Employer Work Visa exceptions However, the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) remains at NZD$29.66 per hour, alongside AEWV-related visas including:
This wage pause allows time to explore alternatives that meet New Zealand's workforce needs. AEWV holders can still accumulate skilled work experience at the current wage but will need to meet the updated median wage when applying for residence. For new applicants targeting the Skilled Residence pathways without an AEWV, the higher wage threshold applies. Immigration New Zealand uses Stats NZ's data for median wage calculations NZD$29.66 from June 2022 NZD$31.61 from June 2023 Sector agreement and wage exemption expirations in tourism, hospitality, and transport are postponed pending further review. Source: INZ website If you're planning to study in New Zealand, it's crucial to stay updated on the latest developments in student visa processing. Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has acknowledged the receipt of a high volume of student visa applications, some submitted shortly before the intended travel date. This has resulted in a backlog, with many applications unlikely to be processed in time for the start of the academic term.
Improving Visa Processing Times To tackle these delays, INZ is implementing several measures to speed up the processing of student visa applications: Increased Staffing: INZ has recruited more personnel to handle the application process more efficiently. Enhanced Assessment Tools: The staff at INZ now have improved tools at their disposal to assess applications more swiftly. Consistent Communication: INZ is committed to providing clear and consistent information, ensuring students are well-informed about the status of their applications. These initiatives are a response to feedback from the education sector and are designed to provide a smoother experience for students awaiting their visas. What This Means for Students It's important for students to plan and apply for their visas as early as possible. With the increased demand and the steps INZ is taking to improve the situation, there's an optimistic outlook for future processing times. Keep an eye on official communications from INZ for the most current information and ensure you have all necessary documentation ready when applying. A common hiccup is financial evidence – it's crucial to provide thorough proof of sufficient funds for your stay. With these steps, INZ is striving to ensure that students can begin their studies in New Zealand without undue delays. Source: INZ website Get ready for a big update! Starting January 29, 2024, the Permanent Resident Visa General (PRV), Second or Subsequent Resident Visa, and Variation of Travel Conditions of a Resident Visa applications will now be processed through the INZ enhanced Immigration Online system.
No more paper applications! From January 29 onwards, INZ will no longer accept paper applications for these visas. If you're eligible and planning to apply for one of these visas before January 29, we encourage you to wait and apply online. Why the change? This upgrade will help INZ handle the increasing number of applications for PRV due to the 2021 Resident Visa applicants becoming eligible. What's in it for you? With the enhanced Immigration Online system, there's no need to send physical documents anymore. Passport and form submission will be a thing of the past. Plus, INZ will be able to process your application faster, and you can easily track its progress online. If you're a 2021 Resident Visa holder, expect an email from INZ to inform you about this change. Please note, specific permanent resident visa products like the Global Impact Permanent Resident Visa and the Afghan Emergency Resettlement Permanent Resident Visa will not be moved to the enhanced Immigration Online system. You can continue to apply for these visas using the relevant paper forms. Source: INZ website The next Parent Resident Visa Category expressions of interest (EOIs) selection is scheduled for 13 February 2024. If you're thinking about applying, here's what you need to know.
If you're not eligible for the Parent Resident Visa Category, there are other visa options that may be available to you. For example, you may be eligible for a temporary visa or a visitor visa, which will allow you to spend time with your family in New Zealand. Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has become aware that some Immigration Online applicants are not receiving email notifications when there has been an update on their application.
This issue has been affecting some online Visitor Visa and Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) applications since 5 December 2023 and means applicants may not be aware they have received correspondence unless they have proactively logged into their online portal. INZ are urgently working with Microsoft to fix the issue. Several Resident Visa 2021 recipients were informed today about their eligibility for a Permanent Resident Visa, but some of them may have received incorrect information regarding the applicable date.
To be eligible for a Permanent Resident Visa, people need to have held a resident visa for at least two years when they submit their application, and meet all other criteria. If their visa was issued when they were:
However, during the dissemination of the update, an error was made, resulting in some recipients receiving an inaccurate date. To remedy the situation, emails will be sent to the affected visa holders advising them to disregard the earlier incorrect information and to utilize the calculation formula provided above to determine their eligibility for a Permanent Resident Visa. Longer AEWVs and new maximum continuous stayStarting in November 2023, Immigration New Zealand will be implementing some important changes that you need to know.
Here's what you can expect:
To apply for the extended visa, AEWV holders need to meet specific criteria. Employers can support their workers by reusing job tokens without a Job Check, as long as they meet certain requirements. INZ expects a large number of AEWV renewals, so they will prioritize processing applications that are within the next nine months of expiry. Applications for partners and dependents will be queued until the AEWV application is decided. In the rare situation that an applicant's AEWV expires before their balance application is complete, they may be eligible for an interim visa to stay and continue working for up to six months. For more information on these changes and the steps to apply, visit the INZ website. |