Keep up to date with New Zealand Immigration updates & job opportunities

New occupations added to the Green List Residence pathway

14/06/202328/04/2023

Immigration confirms new roles for the Green list To address labour shortages and support New Zealand businesses, the Government is adding further occupations to the Green List. Green List occupations provide a straight-to-residence or 2-year work-to-residence pathway for workers hired under certain roles, who meet the requirements of the roel. What are the new occupations and when do these start to qualify? Straight to residence pathway From 29 May 2023, External Auditors (221213) and Internal Auditors (221214) will be added …

Residence pathway for Truck and bus drivers

14/06/202326/04/2023

Last year, the Government announced ongoing work on a transport sector agreement that would give a 2-year work to residence pathway for workers in critical transport occupations. The settings and eligibility requirements have just been made available. Median wage exemption for work visas Employers wanting to hire a bus driver on an Accredited Employer Work visa will have a median wage exemption set at $28 per hour (instead of $29.66). This is available effective immediately. From 26 April, eligible employers …

Future Changes to Skilled Migrant Residence Category

20/06/202320/04/2023

Proposed Changes to New Zealand SMC Immigration New Zealand is expected to announce changes regarding the Skilled Migrant Category within the next month after a period of consultation with businesses and industry. A date for the implementation of changes will also be announced in due course. The Minister of Immigration has released a statement suggesting the changes will not take immediate affect from the date of announcement; indicating any SMC policy change will allow further time for current policy to …

Residence pathway for health support workers

14/06/202312/04/2023

Work to Residence Pathway Immigration New Zealand continues to acknowledge the critical shortage of Healthcare Workers and the ongoing need to attract and retain skilled care workers in New Zealand. People who fall under the below occupations are able to apply for residence under the Work to Residence pathway if they meet the following criteria: have employment with an Accredited Employer and holds an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) work in an occupation that is on the Care Workforce sector …

New occupations on the Green List for health workers

14/06/202311/04/2023

What is the Green List? The Green list is a list of occupations that are in shortage in New Zealand. To attract skilled migrants, the Government is therefore offering a preferred pathway to securing residence in New Zealand for people with these skillsets. Occupations under “tier 1” of the Green list offer a straight to residence pathway. Occupations under “tier 2” offer a pathway after working for 2 years in residence. The Green List now has a total of 48 …

Employer accreditation: Reusing a job check token

14/06/202304/04/2023

Can I reuse a job check token? Usually, a job token can only be used to apply for one Accredited Employer Work visa (AEWV). However, there are some situations where it can be reused if it is still within the 6 months of validity of the job check. Situations when a job check token may be reused A job token can be reused if: The employer notifies Immigration New Zealand that the offer of employment has been withdrawn before the …

New Zealand Working Holiday visa changes for UK travellers

14/06/202317/03/2023

UK Working holiday changes New Zealand and the United Kingdom have a reciprocal agreement to allow young workers to come and experience a new country under a Working Holiday Visa (WHV). This agreement is changing on 1st July 2023. What are the key changes for UK travelers? From 1st July 2023: The age eligibility is extended by 5 years. The WHV will now be open to UK travellers aged 18-35 years. You must apply before you turn 36. The duration …

Changes for partners of temporary work visa holders

14/06/202303/03/2023

Immigration New Zealand reviewing their previous announcement After initially planning on stripping work rights from partners of temporary work visa holders from December 2022, then deciding to postpone the decision by a few months, Immigration New Zealand has eventually made a call on what the partners work visa changes would be. What are the changes? Currently, partners of temporary work visa holders may apply for an open work visa allowing them to work for any employer, in any occupation, in …

New recovery visa for New Zealand

24/09/202325/02/2023

This category closed on 23 September 2023 and is no longer available. A new specific purpose ‘recovery visa’ The Recovery Visa is a new Specific Purpose Work Visa which allows employers to sponsor experts to come to New Zealand and assist with the rebuild. Early 2023, New Zealand’s North Island has been severely affected by cyclone Gabrielle and other extreme weather events. To assist with the recovery, the Government is supporting business by allowing them to quickly bring overseas experts. …

Capped Working Holiday Schemes reopening

14/06/202322/02/2023

Working Holiday visa categories reopen Immigration New Zealand has now confirmed the 2023 reopening dates for certain capped Working Holiday visa categories. What is a capped scheme? Due to bilateral agreements with New Zealand, certain countries have unlimited visa availability under the Working Holiday scheme, while others have a quota per year. Each scheme (by country) opens at a certain date and remains open until the quota is filled. What are the changes? INZ is currently updating the Spain and …