Minister eases visa restrictions
The Government has pumped the brake on initial plans to impose a salary band nearing $50,000, for migrants to stay long-term in New Zealand.
The changes would mean about 6000 low-skilled workers would be able to stay in the country longer.
Immigration Minister Michael Woodhouse said feedback during a consultation period prompted tweaks from the original plans laid out earlier in the year.
‘‘As a result, the remuneration band for mid-skilled will be 85 per cent of the New Zealand median income, which is currently $41,538 a year, instead of $48,859 as proposed during consultation.’’
Migrants earning below $41,538 a year would be considered lowerskilled and subject to a year-long stand-down period, after three years of working in New Zealand.
‘‘Any migrant earning between $41,538 and $73,299 a year in an occupation classified as Level 1-3 will be considered mid-skilled.
‘‘Those earning over $73,299 a year will automatically be considered higher-skilled, regardless of their occupation,’’ Woodhouse said.
There were 170 submissions made by individuals, businesses and industry groups.
They overwhelmingly made three things clear, Woodhouse said.
‘‘Visa holders need clarity about how long they’re going to stay; it confirms that higherskilled and higher-paid migrants should be able to stay longer; and it certainly confirmed that Kiwis should be at the front of the queue for growing numbers of jobs.’’
Woodhouse rejected claims that lowering the mid-skilled threshold made it easier for firms to hire lower-skilled workers.
‘‘This was never about moderating the number of people coming in - the economy does that.
‘‘The last thing we want to do is choke off the number of people to fill 10,000 or 11,000 new jobs that are being created.
‘‘Nobody gets to employ an overseas worker until they can demonstrate there isn’t a Kiwi available to do the job - the conversation doesn’t even start until that decision has been made,’’ Woodhouse said.
NZ First leader Winston Peters said the policy was ‘‘unfocused’’ and neither addressed the regions’ need for workers, or issues surrounding Auckland’s population growth.
The tweak was welcomed by Business NZ, saying the rule changes were ‘‘more workable’’.
Chief executive Kirk Hope said the changes struck a balance between ensuring jobs for New Zealanders and enabling businesses to access the staff they needed.
The changes come into effect on August 28.