timeline blog visa extensions provide certainty to employers and 10000 visa holder

Timeline of immigration changes and what you can do right now

We have provided below an expected timeline of Immigration changes;

  1. A brief timeline of immigration changes:
    1. 1 January to 30 June – If your work visa expired between 1 January and 30 June 2021, you would have received an automatic extension, which means that your visa will now expire between July and December 20201. You must apply for a new visa before this current visa expires. 
    2. 19 July – As expected the median wage rate is increasing from $25.50 to $27 on 19 July 2021. This wage rate is the determining factor on whether you will get a 1 year or a 3-year visa and whether you can support a partner for a new partnership visa application. This rate of $27 applies to essential skills work visas and also for residence under the Skilled Migrant Category. 
    3. 31 October – will see the abolishment of 6 work visa types, which are 2 essential skills, 2 work to residence and 2 silver ferns work visas. 
    4. 1 November – introduction of the compulsory employer accreditation and also the new Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV). 
    5. July 2022 – the compulsory stand down period for low-paid essential skills work visas will start.
  1. What can you do right now?
    1. If you can secure a job offer for $25.50 and lodge a visa application by 18 July, you may be eligible for a 3 year work visa. Your employer will not be required to apply for accreditation until they need to sponsor you again when your visa is about to expire.   
    2. If you are already earning at least $27, you can also lodge a visa application by 31 October to get a new year work visa. Again, your employer will not be required to apply for accreditation, until they need to sponsor you again when your visa is about to expire.   
    3. If you work in an occupation that is listed on the long-term skill shortage list, and you meet the skill requirements for that occupation, lodge a work to residence visa by 31 October 2021.