The government is poised to revamp visa regulations affecting relatives of non-native permanent residents and citizens, as indicated by Immigration Minister Erica Stanford. The anticipated revisions could facilitate longer visits for parents and grandparents from abroad.
Stanford has also highlighted the need to reassess partnership visa rules, particularly criticizing the efficacy of visas designed for culturally arranged marriages. However, these adjustments to partnership visas might be postponed, as the government prioritizes other initiatives, such as refining the accredited employer work visa program. Prior electoral pledges by the National and ACT parties included the introduction of extended, interim visas for non-native parents of residents and citizens. In line with the coalition's pledge, the government plans to institute a renewable five-year visa for parents, with a stipulation for families to bear healthcare costs independently. At present, excluding the residence visa—which was reinstated after a six-year suspension—parents are able to visit for up to 18 months within a three-year timeframe under a multi-entry visitor visa. While the implementation timeline for these visa changes is influenced by broader policy decisions, they are assured to be enacted within the current legislative period as part of the coalition's commitment. Minister Stanford acknowledges the urgency of other matters such as the accredited employer work visa and combating migrant exploitation, and future reforms are being lined up in a structured sequence for when and how they should occur. The Association for Migration and Investment anticipates that these changes will be well-received by migrants' parents, potentially reducing the burden on parent residence visa applications. Following the establishment of a yearly 2,500-visa limit for parents and grandparents by the prior administration in 2022, demand has substantially outpaced supply. Currently, over 13,000 expressions of interest have been lodged for the parent resident visa draw, with 308 individuals having been selected so far. With prior applications now addressed, the selection process is expected to quicken to meet the full annual quota. Coalition agreements suggest a healthcare surcharge may be introduced for the proposed five-year renewable visa. The treatment of culturally arranged marriage visas has been a point of contention, particularly following 2019 policy tightening by Immigration New Zealand, which impacted couples in arranged marriages who had not cohabitated before arrival. This policy faced pushback from various community sectors, pointing out its failure to accommodate non-cohabitating partnerships due to religious or other valid reasons. Recent statistics reveal a close tally between the number of approved and rejected culturally arranged marriage visas. Acknowledging the existing policy shortcomings, Stanford expresses a need to revisit these visas, although a comprehensive review might be delayed due to an extensive policy agenda. The minister assures that the concerns surrounding the current state of culturally arranged marriage visas are in view for future deliberation.
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The New Zealand Government has implemented adjustments to the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) scheme, which primarily affect future applicants and certain current visa holders in specific occupations.
The modifications introduced do not alter existing visa conditions or duration for current AEWV holders. However, they may influence the length of time individuals can remain in New Zealand. The changes are not retroactive and do not impact applications already submitted. Instead, they are effective for new Job Check and AEWV submissions as of the announcement date. Employers with an approved Job Check must ensure that AEWV applicants adhere to the updated, more stringent criteria. A pivotal change is the introduction of shorter visa lengths and a reduced maximum stay for new AEWV applicants in ANZSCO level 4 or 5 roles. Furthermore, some existing AEWV holders in these occupations will also be subject to a decreased maximum continuous stay in the country. While their current visa's duration remains unaltered, they will no longer be eligible for the five-year AEWV period introduced the previous year, contingent upon their job's skill level, eligibility for residence, and the submission date of their AEWV application. For new AEWV applicants, there is now a minimum skill threshold to meet, along with the requirement to furnish evidence of relevant qualifications and work experience pertinent to the job in question. Migrants in ANZSCO level 4 or 5 occupations will be expected to demonstrate a basic standard of English proficiency. Employers are also subject to heightened criteria when advertising roles and recruiting migrants under the AEWV. This encompasses assessing the suitability of New Zealand candidates more rigorously and taking reasonable measures to confirm that a migrant is suitably qualified for the position. If the role is within ANZSCO level 4 or 5, the employer is mandated to extend the advertising period and liaise with Work and Income. Additionally, there are new accreditation stipulations for employers. They must now report to Immigration New Zealand (INZ) if a migrant exits their employment before their visa expires. Employers who fail to provide a minimum of 30 working hours each week may face revocation of their accreditation. These changes are part of a suite of modifications affecting all three stages of the AEWV system. Comprehensive details regarding these amendments are available on the INZ website for those seeking more information. Source: INZ website In a move that significantly impacts secondary school teachers, the New Zealand government has announced a shift from the Green List Work to Residence pathway to the Straight to Residence (STR) pathway. This change is poised to offer a more direct route to residency for eligible teachers.
For teachers already working in New Zealand, this update brings a welcome opportunity. If eligible, they can now apply for the STR visa, potentially streamlining their journey to securing permanent residency. This is a significant development for those who have been contributing to the education sector and are looking to make New Zealand their long-term home. Additionally, the change extends to overseas secondary school teachers who are considering a move to New Zealand. Starting in May, those who are eligible and have an offer of employment from an accredited employer will be able to apply for residence directly from offshore. This opens up a more straightforward path for skilled educators to join the New Zealand workforce and community. It's important to note that this change is specific to secondary school teachers. Other teaching roles will continue to be processed under the Green List Work to Residence pathway, ensuring that the unique needs of each educational sector are met. For those interested in taking advantage of this new pathway, it's crucial to stay informed about the application process and eligibility criteria, which will be detailed in May. This adjustment in the residency pathway is a significant step forward for secondary school teachers looking to build their futures in New Zealand. Source: INZ website Starting on 11 April 2024, Immigration New Zealand is implementing tougher regulations to ensure employers stick to the rules when hiring workers. Employers found not to be complying with visa conditions or employing workers illegally will be hit with stricter penalties.
These new regulations mean businesses could face a minimum fine of $1,000. For those who repeatedly ignore the rules, there are harsher consequences. They could lose their status as accredited employers, which is needed to hire workers from overseas. Persistent offenders will also face a temporary ban from hiring migrant workers and have their details added to a public list of non-compliant employers. The aim is to level the playing field for all businesses and protect the rights of workers in New Zealand. These new measures are designed to quickly and effectively deal with minor infractions, ensuring that the majority of employers who abide by the law can operate in a fair and just market. Let's support this initiative by keeping informed and committed to maintaining high standards of employment for everyone in New Zealand. 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. 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.
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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 |