More change hits Accredited employers

Immigration NZ (INZ) has increased the surveillance of accredited employers. As a growing number of migrant workers come forward with claims of exploitation, INZ are questioning more employers to ensure they follow the rules.

This includes auditing employers who are already accredited and asking for more documents from businesses wanting to become accredited. There are other changes employers should be across:

* Job checks are now taking 6 weeks or more to be processed. This will push back when people can apply for work visas and delaying the recruitment process.

* 90 trial periods are no longer acceptable in Employment Agreements for any firm wanting to employ migrant workers. Trial periods only apply to a businesses that employs 19 staff or less.

* Employers who have a triangular employment agreement and intend to place more than one migrant worker in construction roles must now have a workforce made of 35% or higher who are New Zealand citizens or residents (up from 15%).

* Migrant Exploitation work visas can now be extended by an additional 6 months (6 + 6 = 12 months in total) and these work visas come with open work rights (the visa holder can work for any employer). If you find a skilled worker holding one of these visas, it may be possible to move them to another work visa for a longer duration. Take advice.

* The Skilled Migrant residence category is now open for employees wanting the security of a New Zealand resident visa. It’s not easy to qualify. Immigration NZ estimate only 700 applications to be lodged in the first year.

* The median wage is set to increase to $31.61 an hour ($65,748.80 annually) in February 2024 unless the new government cancels this increase and/or the use of the median wage as a tool when assessing work visa applications.

* Applications to extend employer led work visa extensions from 3 years up to 5 years, open this month. There are no shortcuts. Work visa applications will need to be correct and properly documented to be approved. Use a licensed immigration adviser to avoid drama.

‍