Newspapers reported in recent months that the number of people arriving in New Zealand on long term and permanent basis is continuing to grow, setting net migration at a new record high.
As a reaction to this, the New Zealand Immigration Minister has introduced new regulations for work visa and residence (SMC) applications. The aim of the new regulations is to improve net migration (in other words reduce the numbers). We believe however that the new instructions are just unworkable. Why?
The proposed new regulations;
- Two salary bands are to be introduced in the Skilled Migrant category permanent and temporary visas.
- The bands are approximate $48,859 (average NZ income) and $73,299 per annum (average New Zealand times 1.5 )
- Applicants in the first band still need to meet ANZSCO, applicants in the second band are automatically deemed to be skilled.
There are proposed limits on the duration of work visas for people in lower income roles (below $48,859 p.a.) of three years followed by a stand down period.
Low-skilled employees would need to go back to their country of origin. An employee in this band may have become very valuable to his or her employer during these three years. He or she may have married, he or she may now have children, or may have purchased a home.
What is more important, he or she may be regarded settled in New Zealand, learned all the rules and regulations, made a circle of friends and has become a member of the New Zealand community. According to the proposed regulations, this person would have to leave the country?
Read more about new regulations here:
Immigration New Zealand is currently in consultation with industry partners regarding these proposed changes, which will come into effect from 15 of August 2017.
Have you say and write in a few lines what your believe to be right or wrong and send to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
