Immigration New Zealand has been changing the rules quite often in the last year, leaving the migrant community in total uncertainty, two days before the increase on the median wage that will affect the length of the visa on the Essential Skills category and the Skilled Migrant Category, INZ has announced a series of changes that will benefit at least 75,000 visa holders in New Zealand.

1. This is not an automatic extension.
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2. The Government is increasing the duration of some Essential Skills visas and streamlining the application process to provide more certainty to employers and visa holders while COVID border restrictions remain in place.
From Monday 19 July, the maximum duration of Essential Skills visas, for jobs paid below the median wage, will increase from 12 months to 24 months. The maximum duration of Essential Skills visas for jobs paid above the median wage will remain the same (3 years).
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3. Employers who are retaining migrant workers in the same roles will not have to prove there are no New Zealanders available. Employers will still need to undergo a labour market test for vacant roles or where your worker will change the region they work for you in. This applies to Essential Skills visa holders. Police certificates and E-medicals have been waived just for the main applicant.
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4. Also, From the same day until 28 August 2021, applicants need to apply using a paper-based form on the INZ website. From 30 August 2021 applicants will be able to apply online instead.
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5. Extending Essential Skills visas means the new Accredited Employer Work Visa, which was due to come into effect on 1 November, will be delayed until the middle of next year. Not a specific date confirmed yet. 🔴 You can still be using the current categories such as Essential Skills and work to residence (Long term skill shortage list and accredited employer) until 31 October 2021 🔴
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Remember that there is no change in the conditions on lower-paid visas, which includes the ability to sponsor work visas for partners and dependant children.

These changes to requirements will apply up to the middle of next year. An update will be provided as soon as an exact date is confirmed.
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