New Zealand Tightens Visa Rules to Address “Unsustainable” Migration Levels
In a bid to address what it deems as “unsustainable” levels of migration, the coalition government of New Zealand has announced plans to tighten its visa rules for certain migrants. Last year, the country saw a near record high of over 173,000 non-New Zealand citizens arriving, prompting concerns about the impact on the economy and society.
Immigration minister Erica Stanford revealed changes to the accredited employer worker visa (AEWV), the main temporary work visa introduced in mid-2022 to address workforce shortages post-pandemic. The new rules will include English-language requirements for low-skilled jobs, a minimum skills and work experience threshold for most employer work visas, and a reduction in the maximum continuous stay for low-skilled roles from five years to three years.
Stanford emphasized the government’s focus on attracting and retaining highly skilled migrants to fill critical shortages, such as secondary teachers. The changes aim to prioritize job opportunities for New Zealanders where there are no skill shortages while also reducing the vulnerability of migrants to exploitation.
The move comes after a review of the AEWV scheme revealed instances of exploitation by a small number of employers. By implementing English-language requirements, migrants will be better equipped to understand their rights and raise concerns about potential exploitation.
The government’s decision to remove 11 new roles from the Green List, which includes highly skilled positions in demand, signals a shift towards a more selective approach to migration. Neighboring Australia has also announced plans to halve its migrant intake over the next two years in response to similar concerns about the impact of high migration levels.
Overall, the changes reflect New Zealand’s efforts to strike a balance between addressing workforce needs and safeguarding the rights of migrants in the country.