Minister acts on immigration

The government has announced the next steps in its bid to fill New Zealand’s workforce shortages 

It is resuming selections for two residence-visa categories, which it believes will help Kiwi businesses attract talent during the global worker shortage.

Immigration Minister Michael Wood announced the changes at a speech on October 12 to business and migrant community leaders in Auckland.

“As the world recovers from Covid-19, labour shortages continue to be a global symptom,” says Wood, pictured. “We are listening to the concerns of businesses, many of whom have approval to hire migrants but are finding it difficult to recruit internationally in a constrained labour market. 

“These changes work in tandem with the immigration changes already made, and will help further relieve labour shortages and ensure a competitive edge to attract talent.

“We are resuming the skilled migrant category under current settings to help attract more workers. The first selection will be at 160 points, and subsequent selections at an increased threshold of 180 points to better align with the future direction of the category and our rebalance goals.”

Wood says more than 12,000 international migrants have applied for 511 different occupations across New Zealand since the accredited employer work visa opened.

“The skilled migrant category provides a pathway for retaining the majority of these much-needed skills permanently, strengthening our nation’s resilience to global shocks and economic security into the future.

“Getting the long-term settings of the category right is important for future economic security, and ensuring we can attract and retain high-skilled talent.

“At the same time as resuming selections, we are commencing consultation on a new system that will future-proof the category, and further complement the new green list and highly paid residence pathways.”

Wood notes the previous system restricted the number applications progressed through a planning range, which resulted in only 40 per cent of skilled migrant category applications being processed in 2019.

“Our proposed changes include removing the planning range so all applications that meet the criteria will be processed. It will also include a more simplified points system, will set a clear, fair and transparent eligibility threshold, and offer several ways for people to demonstrate their skill level.

“The proposed changes will also see a faster route to residence for very highly skilled migrants, such as university lecturers or scientists who hold a PhD, while other professionals – such as teachers and registered tradespeople – will have a clear route if they work for a period in New Zealand. 

“The new system will improve processing times and there will be no cap on the number of people who can gain residence each year if they meet the skills threshold.”

Meeting election promise

In addition, the government is also delivering on a 2020 election promise to reduce barriers to access the parent category visa, including increasing the number of these visas granted each year and reducing the income thresholds.

“We recognise the importance for migrants resettling here to have a pathway for their parents to join them,” says Wood. 

“Restarting the parent category is the right thing to do. It will see New Zealand become an even more attractive destination for high-skilled migrants looking to resettle long-term. Alongside reopening and modernising the category, it means more family reunifications.”

The category will see a lower income threshold for sponsors, a new ballot and the resumption of selecting expressions of interest from the existing queue starting on November 14, among other changes.

The number of parent resident visas granted will rise to 2,500 a year. “Resuming selections from existing expressions of interest queue is a priority.  

“Up to 2,000 visas a year will be granted to people with existing expressions of interest. As part of modernising the parent category, [from October 12] any new expressions of interest submitted will go into a ballot rather than the existing queue.

“Moving to a ballot means people will avoid a lengthy queue and will be eligible for selection for two years after submitting their expression of interest. An additional 500 visas a year will be granted from the ballot, starting with the first selection in August 2023.”

As for the immigration system overall, Wood says it is “responsive to international factors, while giving New Zealanders confidence there is a plan and robust principles underlying how we manage immigration”.

He adds: “We know it’s tough for many businesses, but there are positive signs. We are seeing a strong demand for the working holiday scheme, with more than 30,437 applications approved since March and arrivals expected to pick up in coming months.

“We recognise the important role the immigration system plays in our economic future. We are committed to working with businesses to ensure we’re striking the right balance.”