resident visa travel conditions nz

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Resident visa categories reopen: what you need to know.

The government has reintroduced two visas that have been on hold for years, but with some significant changes it says will make things simpler, more transparent, and more attractive for skilled migrants.

The news was met with a mixed response from migrants and advocates however, and non-government politicians have been critical.

Here's what you need to know.

There are two visas being restarted: the Skilled Migrant Category, and the Parent Category visas.

Both grant residence to incoming migrants, giving them the right to stay in New Zealand including work and study, indefinitely. This is different to temporary entry visas, which give a time limit for work, study or holidays.

The Skilled Migrant category is for people with skills which could help support the economy.

The Parent category is - as might be expected - for parents, (and grandparents, and legal guardians) of people living in New Zealand.

Skilled Migrant was basically the main residence-class visa until it closed to new applications in April 2020, after the border closure in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Parent visa was frozen by the National government in October 2016. In November 2019 Labour announced plans for reopening it for expressions of interest in February 2020, but again Covid-19 got in the way.

Other visas

The Skilled Migrant and Parent visas will sit alongside the new Green List (for specified highly skilled, hard-to-fill roles) and Highly Paid Residence (migrants earning at least twice the median wage) visas brought in by the Labour government this year, after they were announced as part of the "immigration reset" in May .

This means there are now three main pathways to residence (Skilled Migrant, Green List, Highly Paid), plus the Parent category.

There are also schemes like the Accredited Employer Work Visa, which is a temporary entry visa for.

People working with that visa could apply for the Skilled Migrant visa to live in New Zealand permanently. In 2019, some 94 percent of applicants for Skilled Migrant visas were for people already in New Zealand on temporary work visas.

However, one of the changes the government is consulting on would require people on the Accredited Employer visa who do not meet the criteria for residence to leave New Zealand for at least a year, once they have spent three years in New Zealand. This is called the "stand-down" policy.

The government also gave a one-time residence visa to people who were living in New Zealand during the pandemic. This 2021 Resident Visa is expected to grant residence to about 200,000 people, which the government says is equivalent to more than five years of all residence approvals pre-Covid.

• 5 September: Straight-to-residence Green List applications opens
• 29 September: 'Work to Residence' and 'Highly Paid' resident pathways opens
• 12 October: Government announces Skilled Migrant and Parent category visas to reopen . Expressions of Interest for the new Parent Category ballot open, and consultation opens on the new system for Skilled Migrants
• 9 November: Skilled Migrant category selection at 160 points for those who have already submitted or plan to come to New Zealand based on the current system. This is also the cut-off date for submitting applications under the current system
• 14 November: Parent category restarts for Expressions of Interest currently in the queue. These will continue to be selected, in chronological order, every three months
• 18 November: Consultation on the new Skilled Migrant category closes
• 18 January 2023: Skilled Migrant category selection at 180 points
• August 2023: The first 500 of the new ballot system is drawn for the Parent category, with subsequent ballots taking place once every three months

The government expects to make further announcements about the new Skilled Migrant settings early in 2023, to be in place around the middle of the year.

What's changing - Parent category

The Parent Category visa is restarting with some tweaks built in.

As in the past, it allows New Zealand residents and citizens to sponsor their parents to come to New Zealand.

Their parents must be "of good health and character" with no dependent children and a "reasonable standard of English". Joint sponsors can pool their incomes to meet a threshold required to get the visa for their parents.

They are able to bring in up to six people under this category, with the income threshold increasing based on the number brought in.

This visa allows indefinite stay, but it only allows them to travel in and out of New Zealand for 10 years after they've arrived - after that, they would need to either seek permanent residence or a variation - basically a renewal - of their travel conditions.

Changes include:

• Increased cap: The number of visas available per year increases from 1000 to 2500
• Sibling sponsors: Allowing siblings to co-sponsor applications to meet the income threshold to bring their parents in (instead of the old system of only allowing partners to co-sponsor)
• Balloting: After the first intake next month, which will only select existing visas

The income threshold - the salary level required for people sponsoring their parents to come to New Zealand - is also being lowered:

Up to 2000 people a year will be brought in from expressions of interest already in the queue. The remaining 500 a year will be drawn randomly from the ballot.

The existing queue is expected to take three to four years to clear.

What's changing - Skilled Migrant category

The Skilled Migrant category will remain the same for now, although the government is proposing a series of changes to the system and seeking feedback on it.

It expects those changes to be in place by the end of next year.

Currently, the system gets applicants to submit information on a variety of factors like age, current employment and work experience, income, location in New Zealand, qualifications, and their partner's ability to speak English.

These factors give the person a certain number of points, which they need a certain number of to qualify. The first intake in November requires at least 160 points, increasing to 180 points for following selections from January, until the new system is set up.

To be eligible, jobs must pay at least median wage for ANZSCO 1-3 roles, or 1.5 times the median wage for higher-skilled ANZSCO 4-5 roles, which require lower levels of training and experience. This would remain the same under the new system.

English language ability, health, character and national security requirements will also remain the same, along with a maximum age of 55, although the Ministry of Health is also considering removing that for some medical roles.

Proposed changes include:

• A new points system (see below)
• All applicants will need to have a job or job offer. Previously, some people could gain residence without a job which in some cases meant highly trained people working in unrelated sectors
• No cap on the number of visas granted. (with provisos - see below)
• A higher income requirement for some specific roles, including in retail and hospitality, to manage labour market risks

The new system would only require six points, calculated under the following table:

Immigration Minister Michael Wood says although the number of points is much lower, the new simplified system will require a slightly higher bar in some respects than the 160-point threshold, while doing away with some factors like age.

In 2017-2019, the second and third highest approvals were for general retail managers and cafe or restaurant managers.

The previous system did not have a specified cap number, but used a 'planning range' each year to limit the number of residence visas annually. In 2019, only about 40 percent of applications were processed.

The new system will do away with this planning range, but the government says it will still manage the flow of migrants into New Zealand through Immigration NZ adjusting its resources "based on forecasting and process 'to demand' as it does for temporary visas".

The government says these changes will achieve four things: aligning with the changes made as part of the "immigration rebalance"; giving more certainty to migrants and employers through a more transparent system; improving processing times by making it easier to administer; and reducing risks.

These risks include misuse of visas, immigration fraud and exploitation, and the creation of jobs mainly for the purpose of securing residence for migrants.

The government also plans to make changes so that some roles which are classed as higher-skilled (ANZSCO 1-3) will be treated as lower-skilled (ANZSCO 4-5), because they are associated with these kinds of higher immigration or labour market risks.

• Cafe and restaurant managers
• General retail managers
• Hospitality, retail and service managers not specified elsewhere

Cooks will also be affected because the occupation is being moved to ANZSCO 4-5 when the list is updated to version 1.3.

The government says this will apply "where employers should be able to draw on the domestic labour market and/or temporary migrant workers, including some roles in retail and hospitality".

It means those roles would - like other ANZSCO 4-5 roles - need to be earning the higher salary level of 1.5x the median to be eligible.

• Immigration changes: 'Real question marks' in skilled migrant visa reopening
• Govt gets no brownie points for reopening parent and skilled migrant residence visas
• Visa changes: Skilled migrant, parent visa categories to restart next month
• immigration

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The Difference Between Resident Visas & Permanent Resident Visas Explained

by Lauren Qiu | Jul 5, 2020 | Articles , Individuals & Families , News , News & Articles

Estimated Reading Time: 3 mins

New Zealand Has Resident Visas & Permanent Resident Visas

In New Zealand, there is a difference between a Resident Visa and a Permanent Resident Visa. Both allow you to live permanently in New Zealand but they have different travel conditions.

Different Travel Conditions

A Permanent Resident Visa will allow you to travel in and out of New Zealand indefinitely. A Resident Visa will allow you to travel in and out of New Zealand until a specified date (usually 24 months after the date your Resident Visa is granted). This specified date is written on your Resident Visa and on your Resident Visa approval letter.

On your Resident Visa it will state: “The last date you may travel and re-enter New Zealand is: _____”. If you are going to travel out of New Zealand around or after this specified date, you should always try to apply for and be granted either a Permanent Resident Visa or a Variation of Travel Conditions prior to leaving New Zealand. If you do not do this, you could lose your Resident Visa.

If you do forget and travel outside of New Zealand, then your resident visa is likely to have expired either:

If you are outside New Zealand with an expired Resident Visa, it may still be possible to apply for a Permanent Resident Visa, if your Resident Visa expired less than three months ago and you meet all other Permanent Resident Visa requirements.

If your Resident Visa has expired, depending on your situation, you may be eligible for a Second or Subsequent Resident Visa.

Some Resident Visas also come with special conditions (section 49(1) conditions). Usually speaking, these will need to be satisfied and uplifted (removed) before the Permanent Resident Visa is granted.

How We Can Help

Stay legal’s principal lawyer reappointed to the auckland district law society’s immigration & refugee law committee, a guide for employers & migrant employees: the accredited employer work visa application explained, a guide for employers: the accredited employer work visa job check explained, a guide for employers: the accredited employer work visa compulsory employer accreditation explained, recent key border & accredited employer work visa updates explained.

Posted by Lauren Qiu

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What is INZ 1175 form used for?

This application form is mainly used by those applying for Permanent Resident Visa in NZ.

That means those who have already been granted a New Zealand resident visa. Depending on circumstances, you may be able to apply for a permanent resident visa, second or subsequent resident visa or a variation of travel conditions.

Special promotion - this month only!

We are currently running a special promotion 🔥on our fees for those who would like us to manage the process.

We provide comprehensive immigration services for applying for your permanent resident visa. Fill out the form below to find out the details!

Who can fill out INZ 1175 form?

This form needs to be filled out by the principal applicant to the original residence visa application. If there were accompanying members of the family who were included in the original residence visa application, such as the partner or children, then they will need to sign the form as well.

Preview of INZ 1175 form

How to fill out inz 1175 form.

This application needs to be submitted to Immigration New Zealand in hard copy, so the form should be printed and filled out.

If you hold a resident visa, or have held one in the last three months, and are applying for a permanent resident visa, please note that you must have held a resident visa for at least 24 months to be eligible for a permanent resident visa. For this application, complete sections A, B, C, E, and sections H to L.

If you hold a resident visa and are seeking a variation of travel conditions, complete sections A, B, C, F, and sections H to L.

If you held a resident visa which expired due to being outside New Zealand without valid travel conditions, and you are applying for a second or subsequent resident visa, complete sections A, B, C, G, and sections H to L.

If you hold a resident visa and are applying for a permanent resident visa due to direct impact from the attack on the Masjid al-Noor or Linwood Masjid in Christchurch on 15 March 2019, complete sections A, B, C, D, and sections H to K.

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Unsure about something.

Permanent Resident Visa update from INZ

INZ has announced that Permanent Resident Visa (PRV) applications will be able to be made online from the end of January 2024. This is great news, and especially for the 100,000+ 2021 Resident Visa holders who will be eligible to apply for their PRVs during 2024. Currently PRV applications are paper based and must be couriered to INZ together with certified copies of passports. PRV applications can be relatively straight forward and the INZ website advises a current processing time of around 25 working days. Online processing will certainly make the PRV application process simpler and quicker for everyone. Initial Resident Visas are generally granted with travel conditions to enable travel as a NZ resident for 2 years, and these travel conditions must be extended, or a PRV obtained, in order to continue to travel as a resident after the end of these 2 years. A PRV can only be applied for after the Resident Visa has been held for 2 years. A PRV is a lifelong resident visa with no expiry date, and no conditions, and does not need to be applied for again. Please appreciate that any criminal charges or convictions will cause a problem with any PRV application and, depending on the nature of the offence, could lead to the possible cancellation of your New Zealand residence. In this situation it is very important that expert advice is obtained. Our previous post What is the difference between Resident Visa and Permanent Resident Visa? outlined the following requirements to be eligible for a PRV: • Have held resident visa for 2 years and have spent significant period of time spent in New Zealand (i.e.: 184 days in New Zealand in two consecutive 12-month periods immediately prior to applying for the PRV) • Tax residence status in New Zealand • Investment in New Zealand • Establishment of a business in New Zealand • Base established in New Zealand Please also appreciate these are the headline requirements and there is significant policy detail which informs these requirements and some visa categories, such as investor and parent retirement residence, have other PRV criteria. Also, it is the 2 year period immediately prior to the date the PRV application is lodged for which the criteria must be met. Many Resident Visa holders either forget, or fail to plan ahead, for their PRV and every year many returning residents are issued visitor visas on their re-entry to New Zealand as their resident visa travel conditions have expired. These travellers then normally have 3 months to apply for their PRV and during this time they are unable to work. If someone does not apply for their residence extension or PRV in the correct time it is possible they will lose their New Zealand residence completely. It is definitely beneficial for visa holders to plan ahead for their PRV applications! For guidance on your eligibility for a Permanent Resident Visa, or for any immigration matter, please do not hesitate to contact the friendly team at Pathways to New Zealand™.

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Home | Browse Topics | Immigration & refugees | Immigration | Stage 2: Getting a Permanent Resident Visa

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Residence Class Visas: Living in New Zealand permanently

To get full residence status, free of any restrictions on leaving and re-entering New Zealand, you need to get a “Permanent Resident Visa”. This section explains how to qualify for this visa.

How do I get a Permanent Resident Visa?

INZ Operational Manual: Residence, RV2.5

To get a Permanent Resident Visa, you have to meet all of these requirements:

• Residence for 2 years – You must have held a Resident Visa continuously for at least the last two years, or held a Resident Visa at some point in the last three months after holding it for at least two years. Also, your first day in New Zealand as a resident must have been at least two years ago.
• Commitment to New Zealand – You must have shown a commitment to being in New Zealand in one of the ways recognised by Immigration New Zealand (see below).
• Character issues – You must meet the character requirements for residence (see: “ Sponsorship requirements for residence ”).
• Conditions – You must have complied with any conditions that Immigration NZ placed on your Resident Visa. For example, if you were granted residence under the Skilled Migrant category, a condition might have been that you take up an offer of skilled employment within three months of arriving here.

How do I meet the requirement to show a “commitment” to New Zealand?

Showing a commitment to being in New Zealand is one of the key requirements for getting a Permanent Resident Visa. You can do this in any of the following ways:

• Significant time in New Zealand – You’ve been here for at least 184 days (roughly six months) in each of the last two years (so you must have been here at least 184 days in the first year and at least 184 days in the second year).
• you’ve owned a family home here for at least a year, or you have a full-time job here, and
• you’ve lived here for at least 41 days in the last year, and
• all your immediate family members who are here under your Resident Visa have lived here for a total of at least 184 days over the last two years (that is, the time here in the first year plus the time here in the second year must add up to at least 184 days).
• New Zealand tax resident – New Zealand’s Inland Revenue Department (IRD) has recognised you as a New Zealand “tax resident,” and you’ve been here for at least 41 days in each of the last two years.
• Business or investment – You’ve established a business here or have invested in New Zealand (see Immigration New Zealand’s Operational Manual for more details).

Getting a Permanent Resident Visa as an exception to residence policy

Immigration Act 2009, s 72(3)

If you don’t meet Immigration New Zealand’s residence policy, you may still be able to get a Permanent Resident Visa as an exception to policy.

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Immigration New Zealand is the government organisation that deals with visa applications and other immigration issues. It’s part of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.

Website: www.immigration.govt.nz Phone:  0508 558 855

The Operational manual contains immigration instructions that people who want to come to New Zealand must follow. While it is not a step-by-step guide, it will help you follow Immigration New Zealand’s processes. Access it here: www.immigration.govt.nz/opsmanual

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NZ Resident visa travel conditions and validity

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Hi JandM / Karen, In other thread, posts indicated that of late their resident visa travel conditions expiry 2 years after the visa stamping date. This, I believe, is a departure from the earlier where the last allowed date for 1st entry to NZ would be 1 year from the stamped visa date and another 2 years from the visa activation date(post 1st arrival in NZ), an unlimited travel into NZ would be allowed. So, potentially, one had a 3 year date from the date of visa stamping before the travel conditions expired. I believe the 'change' is for candidates who applied from outside NZ. Has this been noted by INZ in their formal communications /releases? Please help me understand as this must be factored in my /our plans of NZ travel, finance, job hunt etc. Regards, laxgr

Experts, Any update you wish to share on my query? Regards, laxgr

Could you please rephrase your questions? Looks too complicated for me at least. Cut it down to more than one simpler questions; so experts can answer.

Where have you got this impression that there has been a change from? Please give a link.

Originally Posted by laxgr Hi JandM / Karen, In other thread, posts indicated that of late their resident visa travel conditions expiry 2 years after the visa stamping date. This, I believe, is a departure from the earlier where the last allowed date for 1st entry to NZ would be 1 year from the stamped visa date and another 2 years from the visa activation date(post 1st arrival in NZ), an unlimited travel into NZ would be allowed. So, potentially, one had a 3 year date from the date of visa stamping before the travel conditions expired. I believe the 'change' is for candidates who applied from outside NZ. Has this been noted by INZ in their formal communications /releases? Please help me understand as this must be factored in my /our plans of NZ travel, finance, job hunt etc. Regards, laxgr You appear to be confusing between visa being placed in a passport and it being 'stamped' on arrival (activated) in NZ? If you are still overseas you can have a visa in your passport without it being activated and the travel conditions started i.e. they allow you up to 1 year to get your house in order and migrate to NZ, on arrival it will be activated and travel conditions begin. Ian

He probably talks about thread which I opened a while ago http://www.enz.org/forum/showthread.php?t=47729 I am currently outside New Zealand and my visa is apparently already activated. Nevertheless I am planning to travel to New Zealand in October so it has no much influence on my future plans to get permanent residence, considering that I need to be 6 months present in New Zealand every year (Two year period) for permanent residence.

Assuming that your are outside of NZ when AIP is given, I too am no sure that anything has changed from 6 months after date of approval in principle to present your passport and pay migrant levy , then 12 months from date of issue of visa label to arrive in New Zealand, then a 2 years multiple entry resident visa? If you are already in NZ then the resident visa is simply issued with a two year validity from date of issue. You have 6 month in which to provide passport and pay migrant levy.

Last edited by ChrisMwn; 12th September 2015 at 12:38 PM .

And Chris is an LIA.

Originally Posted by ChrisMwn Assuming that your are outside of NZ when AIP is given, I too am no sure that anything has changed from 6 months after date of approval in principle to present your passport and pay migrant levy , then 12 months from date of issue of visa label to arrive in New Zealand, then a 2 years multiple entry resident visa? If you are already in NZ then the resident visa is simply issued with a two year validity from date of issue. You have 6 month in which to provide passport and pay migrant levy. Previous Topic Next Topic R5.66 Travel conditions on resident visas Unless a resident visa is granted at an immigration control area, all resident visas may be granted with travel conditions allowing: first arrival by a certain date, if the applicant is offshore (unless the resident visa is a second or subsequent resident visa granted under RV4); and multiple entries current either for a set period from date of the initial grant of entry permission based on the resident visa, or until a certain date. The currency of these travel conditions are determined by the residence category under which the resident visa has been granted. R5.66.1 Travel conditions allowing first entry for applicants overseas when the resident visa is granted If an applicant is offshore at the time their application for a resident visa is granted, the following travel conditions must be granted to allow their first entry to New Zealand as a resident: first entry within one year after the grant of the visa, unless the resident visa was granted under the Samoan Quota Scheme (see S1.10.55), or the Pacific Access Category (see S1.40.55); or first entry within three months after the grant of the visa, if the resident visa was granted under the Samoan Quota Scheme (see S1.10.55), or the Pacific Access Category (see S1.40.55). No variation to travel conditions pertaining to first entry may be granted. People with resident visas who fail to travel to New Zealand within the validity of their first travel condition must submit a further application for a residence class visa if they still wish to live in New Zealand. Note: ~ In the case of applicants who wish to re-apply for a residence class visa under categories which require selection from a ballot (e.g. Samoan Quota, Pacific Access Category) such applicants must re-register for a ballot and submit a new application for a residence class visa if they are successful in such a ballot. ~ Applicants who wish to re-apply for a residence class visa under categories which require an invitation to apply following selection from a pool (e.g. Skilled Migrant Category) must submit a new Expression of Interest and subsequently be invited to apply for residence. Any new residence class visa application must be lodged in the prescribed manner and will be assessed against residence instructions applying at the time the new application is made. Visas will be granted only if the applicant's travel document is current for the proposed currency of the initial travel conditions. R5.66.5 Travel conditions allowing multiple entries from the first day in New Zealand as a resident A resident visa may be granted with travel conditions allowing multiple entries for two years from the applicant’s first day in New Zealand as a resident, unless the visa is granted under the Parent Category (F4). Visas granted under the Parent Category may be granted multiple entry travel conditions for five years from the applicant’s first day in New Zealand as a resident (see F4.50). A person’s first day in New Zealand as a resident is either: the day their resident visa is granted in New Zealand; or the day they are first granted entry permission on the basis of their resident visa, if they were outside of New Zealand when their resident visa was granted. If a resident visa holder fails to travel to New Zealand within the validity of their first entry travel condition, their multiple entry travel conditions never become valid. If the holder of a resident visa wishes to travel to New Zealand outside of the validity of their multiple entry travel conditions and they do not qualify for a permanent resident visa (see RV2), they may apply for a variation of their travel conditions (RV3). R5.66.10 Former New Zealand citizens deemed to hold a resident visa

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Zof - thanks for posting your original link. Exactly what I was asking about but was unable to find your thread. Do you have any update from your CO? I remember you (and MVLB) were going to write to your CO/s? Hi ChrisMwn, What you said was my understanding until Zof's poster. Zof has been given a 2-year travel condition, (of which) the first entry to INZ is 1 year. It's the same with another candidate MVLB also on page 2 of Zof's link http://www.enz.org/forum/showthread.php?t=47729 From what you say, yes, nothing has changed, but, why are Zof's and MVLB's cases so? Regards, laxgr

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You need to gather information about yourself and your plans for your time in New Zealand. What you need to provide depends on the visa you apply for. For all visas, you need to provide proof of your identity and good character. You may also need to provide information about your health.

New Zealand visas — Immigration NZ

For many visas you need to find a job in New Zealand first.

• Finding and applying for jobs — Live and work in New Zealand
• Job hunting

Proving your identity and good character

You must provide a photo, passport and other identity information.

• Acceptable photos for a visa or NZeTA — Immigration NZ
• Identity and character — Immigration NZ

Depending on the visa you’re applying for and how long you intend to stay in New Zealand, you must provide police certificates from countries you’ve lived in for more than 5 years since you turned 17. These help to prove that you’re of good character.

• Providing police certificates — Immigration NZ
• How to get a police certificate — Immigration NZ

Getting medical certificates

Depending on how long you’re staying here and where you’re from, you may have to provide medical certificates or get a chest X-ray from a doctor approved by Immigration New Zealand ( INZ ).

• Health information — Immigration NZ
• Find a radiologist or doctor near you — Immigration NZ
• Healthcare if you’re in NZ on a work visa

Translations of documents into English

If you have to provide police or medical certificates and they’re not in English, you need to provide certified translations. INZ can also ask you to provide translations of any other documents that are not in English.

English translations must be done by:

• the translation service of New Zealand’s Department of Internal Affairs ( DIA )
• an embassy or high commission, or
• a private or official translation business.

DIA ’s translation service — Citizenship and Immigration

Translations cannot be done by:

• you — that is, the person applying for the visa
• a member of your family
• an immigration adviser helping with your application.

How to apply

You can apply online for most work visas. There are a few visas that you need to fill in a printed application form for, including some country-specific work visas.

Work visa forms and guides — Immigration NZ

Apply online for a work visa

For most work visas, you need to set up a New Zealand Government RealMe ® account before you start your application.

Use RealMe ® to prove your identity online

You do not need a RealMe ® account if you’re applying for a working holiday visa.

Before you start your online application, have all your supporting documents ready to upload.

Apply for a visa — Immigration NZ

Getting a tax number

Once you have your visa, apply for an IRD number from Inland Revenue ( IR ). You give this number to your employer when you start work and use it for all your New Zealand tax matters.

IRD numbers for individuals — IR

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Last updated 03 April 2024

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Date printed 11 April 2024

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New Zealand tightens visa rules after migration hits ‘unsustainable’ levels

Net migration to New Zealand hit a near record high in 2023 after a new temporary work visa was introduced after the pandemic

New Zealand will tighten its visa rules for some migrants as the coalition government moves to overhaul the immigration system it says has led to “unsustainable” levels of migration.

Last year, annual net migration to New Zealand hit a near record high of more than 173,000 non-New Zealand citizens in the year to December, Stats NZ reported .

Immigration minister Erica Stanford announced on Sunday changes to the accredited employer worker visa (AEWV), the main temporary work visa, which was introduced in mid-2022 to help fill workforce shortages after the pandemic.

The government’s changes to the scheme would include introducing English-language requirements for low-skilled jobs and setting a minimum skills and work experience threshold for most employer work visas. The maximum continuous stay for most low-skilled roles will also be reduced to three years from five years.

The changes would be immediate, she said.

“The government is focused on attracting and retaining the highly skilled migrants such as secondary teachers, where there is a skill shortage,” Stanford said in a statement. “At the same time we need to ensure that New Zealanders are put to the front of the line for jobs where there are no skills shortages.”

New Zealand, which has a population of about 5.1 million, has seen a rapid growth in migrant numbers since the end of the pandemic, raising concerns last year that it was fanning inflation. A Reserve Bank-commissioned report released last month into the possible links between migration levels and inflation was inconclusive.

Stanford said the changes would also reduce the vulnerability of migrants to exploitation.

In February, the Public Service Commission released its review of the AEWV scheme, which former immigration minister Andrew Little ordered after complaints of exploitation. The commission found that a small number of “unscrupulous employers” targeted the scheme and took payments from people wanting to move to New Zealand.

“By having an English-language requirement migrants will be better able to understand their rights or raise concerns about an employer early,” Stanford said.

The government had scrapped plans to add 11 new roles to the Green List – a list of highly skilled roles that New Zealand is struggling to fill – including welders, and fitters and turners.

Neighbouring Australia, which has also seen a big increase in migration, has said it would halve its migrant intake over the next two years.

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New Zealand tightens visa rules; will Indians be impacted?

Times of India TIMESOFINDIA.COM / TRAVEL NEWS , NEW ZEALAND / Created : Apr 10, 2024, 14:00 IST

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New Zealand tightens visa rules, emphasising English proficiency, skill requirements, and shorter stay duration for certain roles to address high migration numbers and prevent exploitation, aligning with Bestwick review recommenda … Read more

New Zealand tightens visa rules, emphasising English proficiency, skill requirements, and shorter stay duration for certain roles to address high migration numbers and prevent exploitation, aligning with Bestwick review recommendations amid concerns about inflation. Read less

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• Visas and Passports
• New Zealand tightens visa rules amid near record migration

The changes include measures such as introducing English language requirement for low skilled jobs and setting a minimum skills and work experience threshold for most employer work visas. The maximum continuous stay for most low skilled roles will also be reduced to three years from five years. "The Government is focused on attracting and retaining the highly skilled migrants such as secondary teachers, where there is a skill shortage," Immigration Minister Erica Stanford said in a statement.

• Updated On Apr 9, 2024 at 05:31 PM IST

Indian student group begins 'Fair Visa, Fair Chance' campaign in UK

"The ability to work for two years post-graduation helps international students to earn money to help pay for their degrees and enable some to get valuable work experience as well as to continue to build strong links with the UK," said Lord Karan Bilimoria, Co-Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on International Students and patron of NISAU UK.

• Published On Apr 9, 2024 at 05:30 PM IST

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News centre

Changes to work to residence and occupations on the green list.

The Government is making changes to occupations eligible for Transport Sector Work to Residence and Green List Straight to Residence visas.

Work to Residence changes for bus and truck drivers

Bus and truck drivers who apply for an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) on or after 7 April 2024 and those who start work as a bus or truck driver on an open work visa on or after 7 April 2024 will not be eligible to apply for a Transport Work to Residence visa.

Those who already hold an AEWV, those who have applied for an AEWV (and are later approved) and those on open work visas who have already started work, will still be eligible for a Transport Work to Residence visa.

Transport Work to Residence Visa work requirements and roles

Green List changes

On 8 April 2024, 6 roles will be added to the Green List, equating to 9 ANZSCO occupations:

• Aviation Engineer (Avionics, Aeronautical, Aerospace Engineer)
• Naval Architect (aka Marine Designer)
• ICT Database and Systems Administrator
• Mechanical Engineering Technician
• Aircraft Maintenance Engineer
• Corrections Officer

Green List roles

The previously announced roles will not be added to the Green List:

• Paving Plant Operator
• Metal Fabricator
• Pressure Welder
• Fitter (General)
• Fitter and Turner
• Fitter-Welder
• Metal Machinist (First Class)
• Panel Beater
• Vehicle Painter
• Road Roller Operator

Construction and Infrastructure Sector Agreement

Previous plans to add these 7 roles to the Construction and Infrastructure Sector Agreement will not progress:

• Driller’s Assistant
• Earthmoving Labourer
• Earthmoving Plant Operator general
• Machine Operators not elsewhere classified
• Mechanic’s Assistant
• Road Traffic Controller
• Hiring workers
• Immigration rules and processes
• Policy, law and strategy

Related stories

Changes to the accredited employer work visa.

Today the Minister of Immigration announced a number of changes to tighten up the Accredited Employer Work Visa.

Changes to the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV)

The Government is making changes to the Accredited Employer Work Visa. Find out what these changes mean for employers and visa applicants.