New Zealand Implements Stricter Visa Regulations Amid Immigration Concerns
New Zealand is set to implement tighter visa regulations in response to what Immigration Minister Erica Standford describes as "unsustainable" levels of migration, aiming to mitigate the exploitation of migrants while addressing concerns about the overall immigration numbers.
Standford's announcement on Sunday highlighted adjustments to the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) program, emphasizing the necessity to maintain a balance between attracting skilled workers and safeguarding migrants from exploitation. Initially introduced in 2022 to address workforce shortages post-COVID-19, the AEWV program now faces modifications amidst rising migration figures.
In 2023, New Zealand witnessed a near-record influx of 173,000 non-New Zealand citizens, juxtaposed against a significant emigration of its citizens, with 47,000 leaving the country. Standford underscored the government's imperative to prioritize the domestic workforce for jobs in areas where skill shortages aren't prevalent.
The revised visa program incorporates English language prerequisites for low-skilled roles and imposes minimum skill and work experience thresholds for most employer work visas. Additionally, the maximum duration for low-skilled roles has been reduced from five years to three years. Plans to expedite residency for certain occupations, such as welders and fitters, have been abandoned.
Employers must now ensure that migrant employees meet these criteria, giving precedence to New Zealanders for job vacancies. Standford stressed that many adjustments were not novel but rather a reversion to pre-pandemic regulations, aligning business needs with broader national interests.
Certain sectors, such as transportation and care, will be exempt from these stringent requirements to alleviate potential workforce shortages in critical areas.
