Major reforms to NZ immigration settings announced

The Government has announced major reforms to New Zealand immigration settings to "increase the available pool of labour, while also speeding up our tourism recovery", Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced on Wednesday.

She says a streamlined Accredited Employer Work Visa system will be running from July 4, so employers will not need to provide as much information, with changes to speed up the process.

On top of those changes, a medium wage threshold will be brought in for most Accredited Employer Work Visas and for Foreign Fishing Crew Visas at $27.76.

There will be exemptions for sectors including tourism and hospitality, with a threshold of $25 per hour until April next year. Construction and infrastructure; meat processing; seafood; and seasonal snow and adventure tourism sectors will also have lower wage thresholds, before new agreements are made.

A 'Green List' is also being introduced for specific jobs with pathways to residency. Those people who are eligible can come to New Zealand on a work visa from July 4 and apply for residence from September.

The Prime Minister also confirmed the border will fully open from July 31 at 11.59pm, with people from non-visa waiver countries able to enter. It brings the reopening date forward two months.

Jacinda Ardern said access to skilled labour was a major constraint on businesses. "This plan will increase the available pool of labour, while also speeding up our tourism recovery."

Immigration Minister Kris Faafoi announced the new 'Green List', which intends to simplify applications and residence pathways.

It means that migrants in certain high-skilled and 'hard-to-fill' occupations, many which are classed under engineering, health and ICT, can have guaranteed residence pathways. They must be younger than 56 and their partners will have open work rights.

“Through the Accredited Employer Work Visa, employers won’t need to provide as much information, can use their own recruitment processes to prove no New Zealanders are available for work, and Immigration New Zealand will endeavour to have these visas processed within 30 days once an employer is accredited."

For further information, please contact On Arrival New Zealand, www.onarrival.co.nz