Here is the latest Immigration Roundup from Immigration NZ.
SPOTLIGHT – JOB CHECK CHECKLIST
Ensuring all required information is provided with any Job Check application is crucial. Complete and accurate submissions help expedite processing and increase the likelihood of a positive outcome for you. This also contributes to the efficient operation of the immigration system.
Reminder: Incomplete applications may be declined. Fees for declined applications are non-refundable, and customers will need to reapply and pay again.
KEY UPDATES
As an employer who uses the immigration system it is important to stay informed about changes that may affect you. Here is our first immigration employer updates for 2025.
› The Government has announced reforms to the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV). These include removing the median wage threshold, reducing the skills and experience requirement to two years, and introducing new seasonal visa pathways to support employers to fill skill gaps. Please visit the INZ website for further information on the key changes. You can find the Beehive press release here. Further information will be released in early 2025.
› Processing Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) applications in an efficient and timely manner continues to be a top priority for INZ. Information on processing times is available on our how long it takes to process a visa application web page.
› Accredited employers must now tell us within 10 working days if an AEWV holder has stopped working for them. You can do this easily. For more information see the following link tell us if a migrant stops working for you.
› It is now easier for accredited employers to manage access to their records in enhanced Immigration Online. Users will be able to use this feature to remove a person’s access to all of an employer’s records, such as when a licensed immigration adviser stops representing the employer as a client. Our website has more information and a video that shows you how to use this new feature.
› From 2 December 2024, the annual cap on foreign fishing crew numbers has been removed. Employers can now hire more migrants to fill skill shortages on fishing vessels when they do not have enough qualified and experienced New Zealanders to do the work. The INZ website has further information about this.
› Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) Scheme cap increase – The RSE scheme has an administrative limit, or cap, on the number of RSE places that can be taken up in a year. This cap was set at 5,000 places when the scheme was established in 2007. However, its success has led to increased demand from employers, and the cap has been increased over time. The cap on the number of workers increased to a total of 20,750 for the 2024 to 2025 season, making it an increase of 1,250 from the 2023 to 2024 season cap which was 19,500. For further information, please visit the INZ website.
