The government of New Zealand has announced a revamped skilled migrant visa as part of its efforts to attract more skilled workers and offer more certainty to applicants.
Announcing the news, the government said that the changes mean that there will no longer be a cap on highly skilled workers.
Moreover, it has been revealed that a six-point system is introduced to provide applicants with clarity regarding eligibility and establish transparent criteria. The system also offers a faster pathway to residence for individuals with exceptional skills, VisaGuide.World reports.
As Radio New Zealand explains, the government has also decided to extend the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) from three to five years. Moreover, a maximum period of five years of continuous stay in the country for those who hold an AEWV is also being introduced.
“The changes announced today to ensure there is no cap on skilled migrants remove an artificial constraint in the old system that set an indicative number of residence places available each year and prevented skilled migrants from settling in New Zealand even when there was a demonstrable need,” the Minister of Immigration of New Zealand, Michael Wood.
Moreover, Minister Wood also said that the new skilled migrant setting would help the country to attract as well as retain foreign talent, especially those needed in sectors that have been dealing with significant labor shortages.
According to Radio New Zealand, starting from the beginning of October of this year, the simplified points system will set a clear skills threshold. The threshold will be set based on New Zealand’ recognized qualifications, occupational registration, or income.
Moreover, it has been explained that all migrants who apply for the Skilled Migrants Category will be required to have a job or at least a job offer in New Zealand with an accredited employer as well as be paid at least the median wage.
In addition, those applying for the Skilled Migrant Category will also be required to have at least six points to be eligible. Three to six points will need to be based on New Zealand occupational registration, recognised qualifications or income, and one point per year of work in the country is a skilled job. The points can be claimed from the skill category.
As for the age, language, and health requirements, the authorities have said that they will remain the same as before.
Once the changes become effective, all skilled workers will have a clearer and faster route to residence.
“The government has heard from businesses that giving certainty that skilled migrants and their families will be able to gain residence in New Zealand will be a big drawcard for attracting skilled workers,” Wood said.
The same stressed that along with simpler settings, the country will also be able to process more applications faster.
