Today, the Immigration Minister, Hon Kris Faafoi, announced significant visa changes aimed at addressing ongoing labor shortages in New Zealand while the country’s COVID-19 border restrictions remain in place.
These modifications are designed to offer employers reassurance that they can continue to access the existing onshore workforce to fill essential roles.
The announced changes encompass several key adjustments:
1. Automatic Extension of Visas:
Working Holiday visas and Supplementary Seasonal Employment (SSE) visas will be automatically extended for an additional six months.
This extension applies to visas expiring between June 21, 2021, and December 31, 2021, ensuring that visa holders can continue to contribute to the workforce without interruption.
2. Open Work Rights for SSE Visa Holders:
SSE visa holders will now have open work rights, allowing them the flexibility to work in any sector, thereby broadening their employment opportunities and aiding sectors facing acute labor shortages.
3. Essential Skills Work Visas:
The duration of low-paid Essential Skills Work visas will revert to 12 months. Furthermore, the stand-down period, which requires individuals on lower-paid Essential Skills work visas to leave New Zealand for 12 months before applying for another such visa, will be postponed until July 2022. This delay provides a temporary reprieve for workers and employers alike.
4. Increase in Median Wage Rate:
From July 19, 2021, the median wage rate will increase to $27 per hour. This new rate will apply to Essential Skills work visas, residence under the Skilled Migrant Category, and the Other Critical Worker border exception category, aligning wages with current economic conditions and ensuring fair compensation for workers.
These measures, including the visa extensions and wage adjustments, aim to stabilize the workforce and support the country’s economic recovery. Immigration New Zealand will notify all eligible visa holders by June 25, 2021, ensuring that they are informed and can plan accordingly.
Additionally, individuals onshore who have previously held a temporary work visa will remain eligible to apply for an SSE work visa, although new visas under this category will be restricted to the horticulture and viticulture sectors.
By implementing these changes, the New Zealand government is not only addressing immediate labor shortages but also providing a more predictable and supportive environment for both employers and migrant workers during these uncertain times.
These adjustments reflect a balanced approach to managing labor needs while maintaining fair treatment and opportunities for migrant workers.