19/04/2017
New Policy Changes as reported in NZ Herald
Immigration Minister Michael Woodhouse has announced new policy today.
Migrants will need to earn more than $49,000 to qualify for a highly-skilled worker visa under changes slammed as tinkering by New Zealand First and Labour.
Immigration Minister Michael Woodhouse announced the changes today, saying they are aimed at increasing the quality of people coming to New Zealand.
Two salary thresholds will be introduced after consultation:
• One will be set at the New Zealand median income, about $49,000 per year. Anyone earning less will no longer be classified as highly-skilled, and permanent residence applicants will no longer be able to claim points for jobs that are paid below the median income.
• The other threshold will be set at 1.5 times the New Zealand median income of $73,299 a year for jobs that are not considered skilled but are well paid. Anyone earning more will automatically be classified as highly skilled.
Permanent residence applicants will be allowed to claim points for jobs that are not considered skilled, but are paid above the higher threshold.
"Introducing these thresholds is about creating a balance. A balance between ensuring employers can meet genuine labour shortages by using people from overseas, while at the same time ensuring those lower skilled migrants are coming here with a clear understanding of their visa conditions," Woodhouse said.
"In fact, there will be some workers who are now likely to be eligible for residence for the first time such as outdoor adventure instructors, heavy machinery operators and experienced workers in the construction and oil and gas industry."
Woodhouse said the SMC points table, under which individuals claim points towards their residence application, will also be realigned to "put more emphasis on characteristics associated with better outcomes for migrants".
Other changes to temporary migration settings include:
• A new maximum duration of three years for lower-skilled and lower-paid Essential Skills visa holders, after which a minimum stand-down period will apply before getting another lower-skilled temporary work visa.
• Toughening up requirements for the partners and children of these visa holders. They can obtain work visas and student visas allowing them to attend school in New Zealand as domestic students. Under the changes, partners and children will be classified as visitors and only gain a work visa if they meet visa requirements in their own right.
• Ensuring the length of the visa in seasonal occupations aligns with peak labour demand, rather than for 12 months as is presently the case.
Woodhouse said about 4000 migrant workers and their families who have lived in the South Island for more than five years will be given a one-off pathway to residence.
Public consultation on the changes closes on 21 May, with implementation planned for later this year.
Record migration, which is underpinning New Zealand's economic growth and putting pressure on infrastructure, has shown no sign of letting up.
In the year to February, net migration rose to a record 71,333, of which 57,156 were bound for Auckland.
Immigration has become a key election issue with opposition parties promising to reduce new arrivals because of the effect on house prices and pressure on infrastructure including roading, schools and hospitals.
The government has argued strong immigration flows are a measure of the country's success and contribute positively to the wider economy.
However, in October Woodhouse announced changes that meant those coming to New Zealand under the skilled migrant category would need 160 points before getting residency, rather than 140.
The number of people allowed entry under the family category was also more than halved, and a temporary ban on applications under the parent category was also announced.
- NZ Herald
