Is your business prepared?

Changes to New Zealand temporary work visas discussed in late 2018 are expected to be in place by mid-2019. The changes, set to “ensure that work visas issued reflect genuine regional skill shortages”, will affect:

• Essential Skills including the Essential Skills in Demand Lists (ESID)
• Approval-in-Principle
• Talent (Accredited Employer)
• Work to Residence – Long-term Skill Shortage List occupation
• Silver Fern (Practical Experience)
• Silver Fern (Job Search)

What does this mean?

• Employers will need to become accredited, receiving approval by Immigration NZ to be an employer of migrants.
• Accreditation must occur before being able to offer work to migrants.
• The minimum salary for a Work to Residence Visa will see a 41% increase from $55k to $78k per annum.

If your organisation relies on migrant workers, now is the time to get immigration compliant. Heavy penalties will be in place for non-compliant business.

For more information on hiring migrants, visit Immigration NZ’s dedicated employer resources here. We also recommend reaching out to Immigration experts, Malcolm Pacific.

Consider an international talent search when you're ready to expand your talent reach, require an area of specialist expertise, or you have exhausted your local talent pool.  Talk to your local RWR Health team if you would like to know more about this service.