A variety of immigration, business and general news articles taken from New Zealand newspapers, websites and other sources (sources are mentioned at the bottom of each article) and selected by Terra Nova Consultancy Ltd. It may assist the reader being more or less up-to-date what is happening in Aotearoa, "the Land of the Long White Cloud". Happy reading, enjoy ... and if you have any questions on these updates - please contact us...
Newest article always on top.
The 49 prioritised actions announced this afternoon include:
In June 2023, the Government announced changes to the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV).
These changes take effect on 27 November, and include:
To apply for the balance of the longer visa, AEWV holders will need to meet criteria. Employers of current AEWV holders may be able to reuse existing job tokens, without completing a Job Check, to support their worker to apply for the balance of the longer AEWV. There is criteria employers need to meet, including holding valid accreditation.
Processing order for AEWV balance applications
Immigration New Zealand (INZ) expects a significant number of people to be eligible for AEWV renewals for the balance of five years.
We will generally only start processing balance applications when their current AEWV expiry date is within the next nine months. The applications for associated partners and dependents will also be queued until the AEWV application is decided.
This processing order of AEWV renewal applications manages demands on INZ processing resources, while ensuring fair treatment of visa applications made to INZ.
In the unlikely situation that an applicant’s current AEWV expires before we complete their balance application, the holder will be eligible for an interim visa to let them stay and continue their job for up to six months.
Our website has information on these changes, including guidance on the steps current AEWV holders and their employers need to take to apply for the balance of the longer AEWV.
EXAMPLE
From 27 November 2023, if you get an AEWV and you are paid at least the median wage:
Immigration New Zealand is aware of recent targeted phone scams coming from various New Zealand mobile numbers.
One example of these scams states the call is coming from 'The Immigration Bureau' saying there is a 'serious problem with your visa'. The call then prompts recipients to press different numbers for English or Chinese services.
Please be aware that these are not genuine calls from Immigration New Zealand. If you or someone you know receives this call or a similar one, report it to CERT NZ and do not engage further.
The Immigration New Zealand website has more information on recent scams, how to report them and how to protect yourself.
Great to see a few additional roles added to the Green list amongst a raft of other changes. Specifically, the following roles will now have a pathway for residence and enable employers to hire migrants more easily.
Some other welcome changes;
Changes to the Partner of a Worker work visa settings.
From 31 May 2023, many partners of workers who hold an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) or an Essential Skills Work Visa (ESWV) will need to work for an Accredited Employer and be paid at least the median wage, or if working in a role covered by an uncapped Sector Agreement, they must be paid at least the relevant wage threshold.
These conditions will need to be met at the time the employer provides the offer of employment, or for those who are already employed, from the start date of the work visa (whichever is the latest). Any subsequent changes to the employer’s accreditation, the median wage and sector agreements will not impact the visa holder for the duration of the visa if they remain in the same employment.
From 31 May 2023, people will be able to check on the INZ website if an employer is accredited.
The changes do not affect current work visa conditions or people who apply before 31 May 2023. There are no changes to visa conditions for partners of New Zealanders or partners of those holding other work visas (such as a Post Study Work Visa).
Supporting changes have been made to E3.26 (Varying the conditions of temporary entry class visas) to enable visa holders subject to the above conditions to apply to remove these conditions if their partner’s employment situation subsequently changes (for example, if their partner receives a pay rise taking their remuneration over twice the median wage, or if their occupation is added to the Green List).
These changes will take effect on 31 May 2023.
Source; INZ
Skilled Migrant Category,
Due to unprecedented demand, INZ has extended the deadline for the submission of Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa (SMC) expressions interest (EOIs) claiming 160 points to 1300 (NZDT) this Friday 11 November 2022.
This allows those who may have experienced issues with the online process more time to submit their EOI.
Changes to English language test requirements
INZ has changed the requirements to allow English language test results that are more than 2 years old to be submitted as evidence of an acceptable standard of English for residence applications. This applies to EOIs in the pool on or before 1300 (NZDT) 11 November 2022.
Changes have also been made to enable people to continue to submit an EOI if they have booked an English language test or requested an NZQA assessment.
Preparing Application
~ The system is determining if all the documents or evidence required for your application are there.
Waiting on you
~ The application is waiting for you to provide additional information or documentation. Please note that the system does not always update immediately after you have provided what is requested.
Gathering Information
~ The system is gathering information from other sources, for example health and character checks, where applicable.
Under Assessment
~ The application is currently awaiting to be assessed by Immigration New Zealand staff.
Immigration changes create environment ‘worse than Middle East’ for some migrant workers, says immigration adviser representative
Immigration Minister Michael Wood made an announcement about changes to residency visa criteria.
Licensed Immigration Adviser Association chairperson Jens Mueller says some of the Government’s planned changes to immigration settings will turn more migrants into temporary guest workers than the old system did.
Mueller said there were some positives within the Government’s recent immigration announcement about skilled migration, but there were also some worrying details “hidden" in the consultation document that accompanied it.
Parent Resident Visa restarts
Selections for the Parent Resident Visa Category expressions of interest (EOIs) are restarting and the number of visas that can be granted each year has increased from 1,000 to 2,500. The income threshold required for sponsors has also been lowered. This means more people will be able to bring their parents to join them in New Zealand.
INZ will restart selections of EOIs from the current queue from 14 November, and selections are planned for every three months after that. New EOIs will be selected by ballot with the first selection in August 2023.
EOI selection has been paused since 2016 to allow for a review of the Parent Category settings. It was set to restart in 2020, however, it was further paused due to the pandemic. INZ appreciate things may have changed for many families since they submitted their EOIs, and they want to make sure they are aware of the options available to them.
Key details of the changes are noted below, and more information is on the Immigration New Zealand (INZ) website.
Visa category
As the impact of the coronavirus continues to evolve, we face this unprecedented situation together. The pandemic is affecting all of us. At Terra Nova Consultancy Ltd we wish to reach out and update you on how we are addressing it. Our top priority is to protect the health and safety of our employees, clients, and our communities. Our focus on customer service remains at the center of everything we do, and we are fully committed to continue to serve you with our services, and striving to provide our services without interruption.Please listen and act upon the advise given by the Government, only in that way will we together be able to combat this challenge. And as always, stay healthy and keep safe.
The Terra Nova e-book page contains publications in e-book and e-news format containing comments and reviews from Terra Nova Consultancy Ltd, and other contributors, that relate to a number of issues from immigration to operating a business.
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