NZ Immigration Law Discuss the Amendments to the Immigration NZ Operation Manual

New Zealand Immigration has recently released changes to the immigration law governing its Skilled Migrant Category, which has now been put into action. The Skilled Migrant Category is not a new concept, but the changes being made last year are. NZ Immigration Law provide practical expert advice on immigrating to New Zealand, and here they explain the salient points of the new amendments.

The amendment circular contains details of increases to the  remuneration thresholds for the Skilled Migrant Residence category, and Essential Skills Work Visa instructions set back on 28 August. A clarification has been made that each hour of work must be paid at or above the remuneration threshold to be assessed within a particular skill-band.

Skilled Employment for residence applications is employment that meets a minimum remuneration threshold and requires specialist, technical or management expertise obtained through the completion of recognised relevant qualifications, or relevant work experience, or the completion of recognised relevant qualifications and/or work experience. Assessment of whether employment is skilled for the purposes of the Skilled Migrant Category is primarily based on the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) which associates skill levels with each occupation, and the level of remuneration for the employment.

To grant an Essential Skills work visa, an immigration officer must be satisfied that the offer of employment is genuine, sustainable and full-time for the duration of the employment period 
specified in the employment agreement; and payment is by wages, or salary; and 
the rate of pay is not less than the market rate for New Zealand workers in that occupation (regardless of whether the occupation is on one of the Essential Skills in Demand Lists). The salary or wage level and ANZSCO skill level classification will determine skill level and the duration of the work visa issued. Those in jobs assessed as “lower skilled” will only get a one year work visa. Further work visas to do the same work cam only be issued for a total of 3 times before the worker will have to leave New Zealand for a year.

It is important that applicants and employers understand how these changes will impact them. We can provide expertise advise in that regard.

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