New Zealand has announced a series of changes to its work visa program, specifically the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) scheme, in response to rising immigration numbers and to protect migrant workers from exploitation. The changes are effective immediately and come after a near-record number of migrants arrived in 2023, a trend that the government deems unsustainable.
Neighboring Australia has also made a similar move to address its high levels of migration and is targeting a 50% reduction in migrant intake within the next two years.
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The new measures include a stricter application process. Migrants seeking employment in lower-skilled roles (levels 4 and 5) will now be required to demonstrate proficiency in the English language.
Most positions in the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) category will also have minimum skills and work experience requirements, ensuring a basic qualification for incoming workers.
Additionally, employers seeking to recruit migrant workers for lower-skilled roles must engage with Work and Income, a government agency, to ensure proper screening and compliance with labor regulations. The revised program also shortens the maximum duration of continuous stay for many level 4 and 5 roles from five to three years.
Finally, the franchisee accreditation category has been removed, with these businesses now needing to apply under standard or other existing accreditation options. This streamlines the process and potentially reduces any loopholes that may have existed in the previous system.
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The Immigration Minister, Erica, stated that the reforms are aimed at attracting and retaining skilled workers while also protecting the rights of migrants. The primary goal is to attract highly skilled individuals to fill critical vacancies in sectors like education, while giving priority to New Zealanders for jobs that do not have skill shortages.
These changes are in line with recommendations from the Bestwick review, which highlighted weaknesses in the work visa program. The English language requirement is intended to empower migrants and make it easier to identify potential exploitation by employers.
New Zealand, with a population of approximately 5.1 million, saw nearly 173,000 migrants arrive last year, close to a record high. The rapid growth since the end of the pandemic has raised concerns about inflation, prompting the government to take action.
