The key changes include:
Changes being implemented on 7 October 2019
The changes to be implemented in October will only affect the Talent (Accredited Employer) Work Visa:
Any Talent (Accredited Employer) Work Visa application that is received by Immigration New Zealand on or after 7 October will need to meet the new salary threshold. People currently holding Talent (Accredited Employer) Work Visas and people who apply before 7 October will still be able to apply for residence based on the salary threshold of $55,000.
Changes to expect in mid-2020
From mid-2020 low-paid migrant workers will be able to support family visa applications. Their partners and children younger than school age can apply for Visitor Visas for the duration of the work visa. School-age children can apply for student visas for the duration of the Work Visa.
Immigration New Zealand will introduce sector agreements for industries that rely on temporary migrant workers that are paid below the median wage, which is currently $25 an hour.
Immigration New Zealand has identified six sectors that it will negotiate with initially and will start negotiating with the residential care and meat processing sectors from October 2019. It is expected that these sector agreements will be negotiated by mid-2020.
Further changes to be implemented by 2021
The details of the new framework for Temporary Work Visas are yet to be worked out. At this stage we expect that the new framework will include the following employer, job, and worker checks:
If you would like to know more about upcoming changes to work visas, please contact one of our experts.
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