New Zealand announces new policies for Accredited Employer Worker visas to attract skilled immigrants

Highlights: New immigration policies announced for Accredited Employer Worker Visa in New Zealand

• Immigration Minister of New Zealand has updated the Accredited Employer Worker Visa policies.
• The revised changes are to attract skilled immigrants while prioritizing local workers
• Changes will be implemented in minimum skills criteria, English language requisites, and the franchisee accreditation category.
• The changes proposed are aimed to meet the economic needs of the country and manage net immigration system.

 

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New Policies for Accredited Employer Worker Visa 

Erica Stanford, immigration minister of New Zealand, has announced several revisions to the Accredited Employer Worker visa. The changes aim to meet economic needs and ease migrant exploitation in New Zealand.

The Government of New Zealand is trying to rebuild the economy; thus, immigration settings are crucial to the country. Stanford reported that the country focuses on bringing and retaining skilled migrants, such as secondary teachers while prioritizing New Zealanders for jobs lacking skill shortages.

 

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Aim of the new policies 

Migration statistics reported a record-high influx of around 173,000 non-New Zealand citizens entering the country in 2023. Eric Stanford's new policies aim to enhance the AEWV scheme by analyzing the local labor market and reducing the displacement rate of New Zealand workers.

Stanford added that many adjustments can be traced back to pre-pandemic times and aim to strike a balance between business needs and national interests. She also explained that the English language requirement is intended to provide a better understanding of migrants' rights or raise concerns about an employer in advance.

 

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Changes to be implemented for the AEWV Scheme

Following are the fundamental changes that are implemented as suggested by New Zealand's immigration minister:

• English language requisites are to be introduced for low-skilled immigrants at levels 4 and 5
• Minimum work experience and skills criteria
• Work and Income approval for applicants seeking to fill levels 4 and 5
• The maximum continuous stay is to be reduced from 5 years to 3 years for such roles
• The category of franchisee accreditation has been revised and businesses must follow standard, high volume processes for recruiting overseas workers.

These changes aim to support the integrity of the AEWV scheme and reduce migrant exploitation, as recommended by the recent Breswick review, which identified issues within the AEWV processes.

 

Also Read…

New Zealand raises the minimum wage to NZD$31.61.

 

Additional Changes to be implemented

The Government is planning to shelve 11 roles to the Green List, including fitters, welders, and turners. Recent reports show that shortages in bus and truck driver roles have been resolved, and thus, the Work to Residence pathway will be ceased for new applicants in these fields.

The recent changes are to be initial steps leading to a broader agenda of filtering the immigration system in New Zealand. Stanford reported that the country is trying to manage the net immigration system talent, support sustainable finding and improve risk management.

 

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