New Zealand tightens Work Visa restrictions

In a bid to control unsustainable migration, New Zealand has introduced additional restrictions on work visas, specifically targeting workers in lower-skilled occupations. The move aims to reduce the number of dependents accompanying workers on Accredited Employer Work Visas (AEWV).

According to the New Zealand Immigration website, the new rules affect individuals employed in occupations classified as levels 4 and 5 by the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO).

Workers in these categories who do not have a pathway to residency will no longer be able to support their partners and dependent children in applying for work, visitor, or student visas.

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These changes are part of broader amendments to the AEWV initiative, reverting settings to those similar to the previous Essential Skills Work Visa. This policy shift follows earlier modifications implemented in April, which included the introduction of a language requirement for foreigners in low-skilled jobs under ANZSCO levels 4 and 5.

The language requirement aims to ensure that foreign workers understand their rights and can effectively address potential issues with their employers.

Further restrictions include reducing the maximum duration that low-skilled workers can remain in New Zealand from five years to three years and setting minimum skill and work experience requirements for most roles.

New Zealand’s government is prioritizing the attraction and retention of highly skilled foreign workers, particularly in sectors facing significant labor shortages, such as secondary education. Immigration Minister Erica Stanford emphasized the necessity of a more strategic immigration system that regulates net migration and adapts to the changing economic landscape.

“Our goal with these reforms is to attract top talent, revitalize international education, and ensure self-sufficiency and sustainability,” said Stanford.

These new measures reflect the country’s ongoing efforts to balance the need for skilled labor with the importance of sustainable migration policies.