The Government has announced a major change in current immigration policy that will open doors to thousands of prospective migrants.
What are the changes
The changes will take place from 15 December 2022 through to March 2023 and span across several aspects of immigration policy
Occupations added to the Green list
Changes to tier 1, Straight-to-residence
From 15 December 2022, Registered nurses, Midwives, and Specialist doctors not already on the Green List will be moved to tier 1, which means they can apply under the fast-track, straight-to residence pathway as opposed to requiring 2 years' experience in New Zealand.
From March 2023, Registered Auditors will be added to the tier 1 list of occupations.
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New occupations under tier 2, work-to-residence
From March 2023, the following roles will have a work-to-residence pathway after working for 2 years in New Zealand. These include
- Civil construction supervisors
- Gasfitters
- Drain layers
- Skilled crane operators
- Skilled civil machine operators
- Halal slaughterers
- Skilled motor mechanics
- Skilled telecommunications technicians
- All secondary school teachers (in addition to the specialisations already on the Green List)
- Primary school teachers
Residence pathways for bus and trucks drivers
The Government will also soon release a new sector agreement to create a pathway to residence for bus and truck drivers. This temporary pathway will be in place to alleviate the labour shortage in these occupations and will allow workers to seek residence after working in New Zealand for 2 years.
Additional measures
The Government will also automatically extend employer accreditation by 12 months if their first accreditation is applied for by 4 July 2023.
To help employers retain their existing migrant staff, the Government is also introducing a streamlined Specific Purpose work visa to help keep the 2,500 long-term critical workers already in the country to continue to work in their current role for up to three years.
Lastly, previous holders of Post Study Work Visas who missed out because of the border closure in 2020-21 during the COVID-19 pandemic will be granted a 12-month Open Work Visa.
