Government makes it easier for businesses to hire migrants

The government is making changes to the Accredited Employer visa to make it easier for businesses to hire migrants.

Cabinet has also agreed in principle to bring in two new seasonal visas from late 2025.

The AEWV changes taking effect from March include:

• Removing the median wage threshold, so jobs will not need to pay the median wage or higher to be eligible for the visa
• Reducing the minimum experience requirement for lower-skilled migrants to two years
• Visas for new applicants in lower-skilled ANZCO level 4-5 roles will last three years, instead of two - aligning with the maximum continuous stay
• AEWV applicants will have work rights if applying for other work visas or students visas, to support them with employment while their visa is processed
• Employers will need to advertise with MSD and be able to demonstrate they considered New Zealanders in good faith, but this will be changed to a declaration-based model
• Income thresholds for AEWV holders to support a dependent child increase from $43,322 to $55,844
• A re-design of the Job Check step of the AEWV process

Immigration Minister Erica Stanford revealed the changes in a statement on Tuesday morning, and said the changes - along with other tweaks already made to the scheme - would ensure the right balance of New Zealanders prioritised for job opportunities and providing a more fit-for-purpose visa scheme.

"Our focus remains on attracting more higher-skilled workers while managing migration levels responsibly, so New Zealand has access to the skills we need to grow our economy. These changes will support a smarter, efficient and predictable immigration system."

She said the previous government had used the median wage as an "artificial proxy for skill which did not work".

"Instead, it distorted wages and in some cases resulted in businesses paying migrant workers more than New Zealanders doing the same job. Other businesses had to increase prices to ensure pay equity across Kiwi and migrant workers."

The two new seasonal visas would provide a more "nuanced and flexible response" to the needs of businesses in some sectors and regions, and the current seasonal subcategory would be extended, she said.

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