Holiday Hours: Our offices close from 5.30pm, Wednesday, 18 December and reopen 8.30am on Monday, 6 January 2025. If you need urgent assistance during the holidays call 0800 800 612 to talk to a Licensed Immigration Adviser. Wishing you and your family safe and happy holidays!
Visas – busting the myths for migrants coming here to work
There are multiple opinions, theories, bad experiences, and rumours swirling through various media platforms adding confusion for employers who employ.
There are multiple opinions, theories, bad experiences, and rumours swirling through various media platforms adding confusion for employers who employ or want to employ migrant workers. We bust through all the noise with factual advice for employers wanting to employ staff on work visas.
- Employers can still support work visa applications whether or not the business is accredited. Accreditation will not be mandatory for employers until mid-2022.
- The government closed new applications for employer accreditation on 30/06/2021. Applications lodged before this cut-off date will still be processed.
- Existing accredited employers have time to support work visas for staff wanting a Work to Residence Visa provided the application is lodged before 31/10/2021, the employee is paid at least $79,560 per annum and meets health and character requirements.
- Employers can still get access to highly skilled offshore talent. While the border is closed there is a process to get critical workers onshore. We have managed many successful border exemptions. If you need offshore talent talk to us for a tailored solution.
- Immigration NZ (INZ) may request financial, business and tax records from employers when assessing a visa application. It does not happen routinely. INZ would normally only ask if there were concerns around the profitability/viability of a business to pay migrant workers. If this is of concern take advice early before supporting a visa application.
- A publicly available list of employers that have breached employment laws is online. These employers are banned from supporting work visa applications during the published stand-down period. There are currently 73 businesses on this list available here.
- A migrant worker paid below the median wage of $27 per hour may qualify for a two-year work visa if they apply before mid-2022. Others paid above the median wage may qualify for a three work visa. Workers can apply now and do not need to wait until their current visa expires. It always pays to apply early.
- Employees holding an employer-specific employer work visa can only work in the region of New Zealand specified on the visa. It is possible to secure work visas that will allow work in any region of New Zealand. Take advice.
Our team is working through the lockdown. If you have questions or team members that need help just get in touch.
News
Malcolm Pacific Immigration keeps ahead of immigration changes. Sign up below to our newsletter to keep up to date.
Immigration headlines for employers
The team at Malcolm Pacific Immigration keep across the constant changes in immigration rules and regulations. Here is the latest roundup of interest to businesses and HR teams.
Employer Accreditation – pain points
There is a level of frustration at the current processing delays across the three gateways of the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) scheme.
Immigration and employers have been busy
There is a level of frustration at the current processing delays across the three gateways of the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) scheme.
Get started with a free assessment today
We are New Zealand’s largest and most experienced team of licensed immigration advisers. Our experts take away the stress and worry of navigating the complicated world of immigration. All you need to do is get in touch. Our team is on standby, ready to help.
