In response to escalating concerns over unsustainable levels of net migration, New Zealand has announced a series of tightened visa regulations aimed at better aligning immigration with the needs of the local labor market. Effective immediately, these changes introduce additional criteria, such as skills and language requirements, and shorten the lengths of work permits issued to international citizens.
The decision to revise the Accredited Employer Worker Visa (AEWV) scheme, as declared by the country’s Immigration Minister Erica Stanford on Sunday, seeks to prioritize the testing of the local labor market and mitigate the risk of displacing New Zealanders from employment opportunities. Stanford emphasized the government’s commitment to attracting and retaining highly skilled migrants while ensuring that New Zealand citizens are given priority in job placements where there is no shortage of skills.
The rationale behind these stringent measures stems from a significant influx of non-New Zealanders into the country, with 173,000 migrants arriving in 2023 alone, as reported by the BBC. With a population of 5.3 million, New Zealand has been grappling with a surge in migration since 2022, raising concerns about the potential displacement of local workers.
The latest reforms aim to address these concerns by instituting several key changes to visa regulations. Notably, an English language requirement has been introduced for migrants applying for low-skilled roles, while most work visa applicants will now be required to demonstrate relevant work experience and possess specific skills.
Additionally, the duration of several work visas has been reduced to two years, with a maximum continuous stay period of three years. Plans to expand the Green List, which comprises highly skilled roles in demand but difficult to fill locally, have also been altered. Eleven new roles, including welders, turners, and fitters, were initially slated for inclusion but have since been reconsidered.
Employers seeking to sponsor migrants under the AEWV scheme will now be required to ensure a minimum of 30 hours of work per week for each migrant employed. These changes represent the initial phase of a broader effort by the New Zealand government to overhaul its immigration system, aiming to manage net migration more effectively and adapt to changing economic dynamics while attracting top talent and revitalizing international education.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon acknowledged the challenges posed by the current immigration framework, describing it as “unsustainable” and highlighting the need for reform. Luxon criticized the previous administration’s handling of immigration, characterizing it as chaotic and poorly timed, particularly amid economic slowdowns exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
New Zealand’s move towards stricter visa regulations aligns with similar measures taken by neighboring Australia, which announced plans to halve its migrant intake in response to mounting migration pressures. As countries worldwide grapple with the complexities of immigration management, New Zealand’s proactive approach reflects a concerted effort to strike a balance between addressing labor shortages and safeguarding the interests of its citizens.
