Work Visa applications have opened today for new offshore migrants to come and work in New Zealand for an accredited employer. Partners and dependents of work visa applicants can also apply for visas from today.
Working visa applications are expected to be processed within 20 working days when the application is accurately filed.
This was the third and final stage of Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) in government’s Reconnecting plan.
As part of the new AEWV policy, employers need to be accredited and have completed a job check before they are able to hire a migrant from offshore.
Accreditation applications opened on 23 May and to date 5,666 applications have been received. Of those 4,322 have been approved.
“We know a major constraint on business currently is access to skilled labour. This is happening the world over, but the Accredited Employer Work Visa will play a role in increasing the available pool of labour to fill skilled work shortages,” Immigration Minister Michael Wood said.
“The opening of this visa follows on our previous work which has seen approvals granted for over 33,000 critical workers, 13,000 working holidaymakers, and 60,000 migrants approved for residency through the one off 2021 Resident Visa.
“We look forward to working with key sectors to lift pay and conditions so that it is easier to attract New Zealand workers, and for smoother pathways to attract migrant workers on the basis of skill and need, not low-cost labour.”
Job check applications opened on 20 June and to date 732 have been received. An employer must have their job check approved before a migrant is able to apply for the role.
“The job check is a very important part of the new AEWV process to hire a migrant from overseas and it is critical that employers provide all the necessary information to demonstrate they have met the requirements of the job check.
“This includes evidence of an acceptable job offer, job description and employment agreement, and proof that the role has been advertised for at least two weeks if it pays less than twice the median wage or is not on the Green List.”
“Opening visa applications for partners and dependents of workers who are applying for work visas will make it easier for migrant workers to bring their families with them to New Zealand, making us an attractive place to live and work.”
Immigration New Zealand has also gearing up by recruiting and training more staff to meet the expected demand, bringing on-board 230 Immigration Officers in the year to May 22.
New Zealand’s borders will be fully open to the world at the end of the month, with student and visitor visa applications opening from 31 July.
– from NewsViews
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