06/04/2022 - Vaccines and the work place

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The Government has made some significant changes to vaccine pass requirements and other vaccine mandates.

New guidance for employers and employees is now available.

31/03/2022 - Institutions expect 5000 foreign student places to be snapped up

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Schools, universities and other tertiary institutions are expecting little trouble filling the biggest intake of foreign students since the borders closed two years ago.

From today they can start nominating students for their share of the 5000 places available for entry to the country from the middle of the year.

International students used to be worth $5 billion a year to the economy, but enrolments have plummeted since the start of the pandemic in 2020.

Institutions have until 6 May to fill their share of the available places, otherwise they go to another institution.

Read more: 31/03/2022 - Institutions expect 5000 foreign student places to be snapped up

30/03/2022 - Requiring My Vaccine Passes for entry

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Businesses can choose whether to require customers to have My Vaccine Passes as a condition of entry. For some businesses, this decision will affect the rules they must operate under.

From 11.59pm, 4 April 2022, businesses will no longer need to sight customers’ My Vaccine Passes in order to operate (or operate with fewer restrictions).

The COVID-19 Protection Framework rules, such as capacity limits, will apply to all businesses, regardless of whether they require My Vaccine Passes.

If they wish, most businesses have the option of limiting access to their premises to people with a My Vaccine Pass (as a condition of entry).

Source NZ Business

01/03/2022 - Processing RV2021

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Please note;

• INZ has made some operational decisions that mean there is no advantage to submitting an application in the first week.  
• Applications made in the enhanced Immigration Online system received from 1 March will be held in the INZ system. INZ will not start processing these until the end of March.   
• Applications will then be released for processing in order of the principal applicant’s current visa expiry date at the time of their 2021 Resident Visa application.  
• A medical certificate will not be needed to apply in the enhanced Immigration Online system. If a medical certificate or any further information is required, INZ will ask. 
• Applicants will need to provide information from a valid passport. They will not need to send the document itself. Anyone who needs a new passport has plenty of time as applications for the 2021 Resident Visa are open until 31 July 2022. 

28/03/2022 - OPINION - The Monitor economy Q&A: Immigration expert Andrew Sayers

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Read more: 28/03/2022 - OPINION - The Monitor economy Q&A: Immigration expert Andrew Sayers

25/03/2022 - Concern new skilled migrant visa will add costs for businesses

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There's concern that a new visa to get skilled migrants into New Zealand will be too complex and costly for businesses.

Overhaul of process allowing businesses to bring in skilled migrants underway

While officials say it's designed to be easier, many are doubtful. (Source: 1News)

From July, the Accredited Employer Work Visa will be how most of these skilled staff enter the country. It's a major overhaul of the system that combines six previous visas in an effort to simplify things.

It's a change that's been in the works for years and is part of an effort to prevent the exploitation of migrants.

Read more: 25/03/2022 - Concern new skilled migrant visa will add costs for businesses

25/03/2022 - Changes to Accreditation

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Following are some changes to the new Accreditation programme;

• The date that employers can apply for accreditation has been changed from 9 May to 23 May 2022
• Migrant workers’ visa applications can be lodged on 4 July.
• Applications for Job Checks open on 20 June.
• All accredited employers hiring migrants must now pay the median wage.
• The median wage increases from $27.00 to $27.76 an hour as from 4 July 2022, therefore all jobs offered to migrant workers under the AEWV must now have a payrate of at least $27.76 per hour.
• All jobs paying less than twice the median wage (which os $55.52 per hour), anywhere in the country must be advertised in New Zealand before they can be offered to a migrant.

What about the fees, noting that these may change?

• Standard employer accreditation application $740 for up to five workers.
• High-volume accreditation applications for six or more workers $1,220 per employer.
• The job check fees $610, payable by employer.
• Possible additional fees for reconsideration of declined applications, franchise companies and third party-controlled applications.
• Migrants pay $595 per application,

22/03/2022 - Changes to the Accredited Employer Work Visa

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Read more: 22/03/2022 - Changes to the Accredited Employer Work Visa

19/03/2022 - Qualified and critical workers leaving New Zealand due to visa problems.

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Newshub has discovered critical medical workers are leaving New Zealand in droves due to anomalies in their visas - just as the Government invites others in to fill the gaps.

The National Party says hundreds are quitting these shores because they're simply on the wrong visa or can't wait while their residency applications are frozen - and we're losing more than we're gaining.   

Family doctor Paul Jones and his anaesthetist wife Fleur Harding have been on the frontline of the battle against COVID since they arrived here 18 months ago.

But they're packing to return to Edinburgh with their three children. Sick of being stuck in visa limbo, they believe their residency application has been frozen.

Read more: 19/03/2022 - Qualified and critical workers leaving New Zealand due to visa problems.

14/03/2022 - Updates & How to enter New Zealand

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Many restrictions related to Covid are being removed, however what are the requirements and guidelines for entering New Zealand? Find out more HERE

• were granted a Working Holiday Visa on or after 20 March 2019, and  
• are offshore and have been unable to enter New Zealand, and  
• have not subsequently been granted a new visa under a different category.