Immigration News

It’s been awhile since our last update and there’s been a lot happening on the Immigration scene since then. Here’s a recap of the events of the last couple of months.

POLICY UPDATES

• Final Selection of Skilled Migrant Expressions of Interest (current policy)
  The final selection of Expressions of Interests under current policy will happen on 16 August 2023. You’ll have until 11:59pm 15 August 2023 to submit your Expression of Interest based on the current 180 point criteria.  
  

   

• Changes to the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa
  A new simplified points system will be introduced for the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) Resident Visa on 9 October 2023.
  
  The new approach aims to provide a faster route to residence for people in high skilled roles and others will have a clear route to residence if they work for a period in Aotearoa New Zealand.
  
  Under the new system, all SMC applicants must have a job offer for, or current employment in, a role paid at least:
  

  • the median wage for occupations classified at ANZSCO skill level 1-3, or

  • 1.5 times the median wage for occupations classified at ANZSCO skill level 4-5.

     

  In addition, they need six points to apply. This can be made up from:

  • three to six points based on New Zealand occupational registration, or a recognised qualification or income; and

  • one point per year of work in a New Zealand skilled job, up to a maximum of three points.

  
  The age limit, English language, health, and character requirements for residence applications remain unchanged.

   

• Visa Transfers now available online
  Paper applications are no longer necessary to process visa transfers from your old passport to your new one.
  

   

• New Transport Sector Work to Residence categories available
  Persons with roles as bus drivers, truck drivers, ships masters and deck hands may now qualify for Transport Sector Work to Residence visas.

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• Changes to Partner of a Work Work Visa Settings
  From 31 May 2023, many partners of workers who hold an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) or an Essential Skills Work Visa (ESWV) will need to work for an Accredited Employer and be paid at least the median wage, or if working in a role covered by an uncapped Sector Agreement, they must be paid at least the relevant wage threshold.
  

  These conditions will need to be met at the time the employer provides the offer of employment, or for those who are already employed, from the start date of the work visa (whichever is the latest). Any subsequent changes to the employer’s accreditation, the median wage and sector agreements will not impact the visa holder for the duration of the visa if they remain in the same employment.
  

   

• Extension to Accreditation for Employers
  The initial accreditation periods for the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) will be automatically extended by 12 months if employers apply before 4 July 2023.
  
  

• Accreditation extension implemented to support AEWV employers
  Last year, the Government decided to extend the initial accreditation period for Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) to give employers more certainty while they get used to the accreditation system.
  

  Employers who are currently accredited do not need to do anything. Your accreditation will be extended and will be valid for 24 months from their approval date.
  

  You should receive notification when the expiry date for your current accreditation certificate is updated to the new expiry date in the enhanced Immigration Online system. All currently accredited employer’s details should be updated by 2 June 2023

   

IN THE NEWS

• Migration still running hot as annual net gain tops 72,000 – NZ Herald

• Chance to resettle in Timaru like ‘Aladdin’s lamp’ for refugees | Stuff.co.nz

• Bao Guo’s story: From instant noodles every day, to a job and hope | Stuff.co.nz