The New Zealand Government has introduced a temporary Specific Purpose Work Visa (SPWV) subcategory, designed to simplify the hiring process for employers needing seasonal workers during upcoming peak periods. This initiative aims to provide a more efficient pathway for employers while still ensuring necessary labour market testing.
Key Features of the SPWV Subcategory:
Employer Requirements:
This temporary measure is part of an ongoing review of the Accredited Employer Work Visa scheme and will help inform potential longer-term visa options for seasonal work. In addition, the Government has also announced changes to the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme, including an increase in the RSE cap and initial improvements, effective from 2 September 2024. More information on these changes can be found on the INZ website.
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Beginning 1 October 2024, New Zealand will implement increased charges for most visa categories. The changes, encompassing both fees and levies, aim to ensure that users of the immigration system contribute more to its operational costs, such as visa processing, risk management, and compliance activities. This adjustment is expected to reduce taxpayer contributions to the immigration system by $563 million over the next four years.
Despite the increase in charges, visa processing times will remain unaffected. Separate initiatives are underway to enhance online services and improve efficiency in assessing and processing visas, with the aim of reducing costs over time. Here is a summary of the new visa charges:
Applicants are reminded to submit complete applications, as incomplete ones may be declined and fees are non-refundable. If an application is declined, customers will need to reapply and pay the charges again. For the list of the fees and levy rates, please refer to the below: New Zealand has revamped its skilled residence visa system to remove caps and queues, resulting in more efficient processing of applications. This change aims to streamline the immigration process, ensuring faster and more positive outcomes for applicants.
Submitting a complete application with all necessary documentation is essential for a quicker processing time. Complete applications are more likely to receive favorable outcomes, reducing the likelihood of delays or rejections. Under the new system, Immigration New Zealand (INZ) follows a standard 10-working-day timeframe for responses to Potentially Prejudicial Information (PPI) letters. If the required information is not provided within this timeframe, particularly for mandatory lodgement requirements, the application may be declined without a refund of the application fee. To avoid such issues, applicants should ensure that all necessary documents are included when submitting their applications. This includes police certificates, medical certificates, evidence of English language proficiency, proof of employment or a valid job offer, and qualification certificates. For more information or assistance with the application process, applicants are encouraged to consult with immigration advisors or legal professionals to ensure compliance with all requirements and maximize their chances of success. Source: INZ website |
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