Newsflash – Essential Skills Work Visa changes

On 16 July 2021 the Minister for Immigration Kris Faafoi announced changes to the Essential Skills work visa from Monday 19 July 2021. Changes to the terms of visas and the application process change. 

 

 

The key point is that those who are earning less than median wage ($27 per hour) from Monday will be able to obtain a two year work visa.  Rather than a 12 month work visa as it was previously. 

 

This creates more certainty for visa holders who do not median wage. 

 

Further changes announced include a change to the application process for an Essential Skilled Work Visa.

 

For work visa holders they will not need to provide Medical and Police Clearance Certificates if they have already supplied this to Immigration New Zealand. 

 

For employers – if an employee is continuing in a job they still hold a Labour Market test (advertising or Skills Match Report) will not be required. 

 

However for a new job vacancy – a labour market test will still have to be done. 

 

As acknowledged in the press release – more stable employment arrangements are needed in the Hospitality and Agriculture Sector. Particularly with borders closed and now inflow of workers – it is important that key workers remain in New Zealand and not have to prove there is still vacancies. 

 

As acknowledged in the press release:

 

“COVID support previously rolled out to businesses has been designed to keep workers connected to employers and keep tourism businesses operating while international borders are closed. The decision to extend Essential Skills visas and simplify application processes is the next step, and will be welcomed by sectors like tourism and hospitality where employers are keen to retain their current migrant workers,” Stuart Nash said.

The Agriculture Minister, Damien O’Connor, said the changes acknowledged feedback he had been getting from the primary sector where employers were desperate to hang onto migrant staff, like dairy farm managers, who had often worked for the same employer for several years on an Essential Skills visa.

“I want to thank the farming leadership that has been working with the government on these changes.

“This will provide welcome certainty for those farmers and farm workers, and adds to the recent border exception to bring in 200 migrant dairy farm workers and their families,” Damien O’Connor said.

What Now?

If your visa is about to expire and you are still in your current job – get legal advice. 

 

While the process may be simpler – there are always pitfalls to any application.