The proposed immigration changes the government recently have announced is looking to close the door to residency for many of what the government call “lower-skilled” workers by raising the salary threshold to $78,000 or $37.50 per hour based on a 40-hour working week for Work to Residence work visas. This would affect occupations such as Truck Drivers, Scaffolders, Concrete workers, and many, many more.
The proposal goes on to say that implementation of this new salary could come into effect in August 2019.
For a lot of migrants in NZ, gaining employment with an Accredited Employer is vital as it may be their only chance at obtaining NZ residence. The alternative residence option is normally the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC). However, there might be many reasons why a migrant cannot meet the criteria for this category – a lack of English ability or not having an ANZSCO skill level 1-3 occupation and required salary would be the main issues.
The government is saying that they no longer want low skilled workers to have a pathway to residency unless that are paid at least $78,000 which, in the governments mind, then makes the lower skilled worker considered as high-skilled. I’m sure many employers would agree that a salary is not the only measure of an employee’s skill.
As an example of how this will affect a migrant worker would be this – a scaffolder can only get three one-year Essential Skills work visas. How are they going to get to NZ$78,000 within three years? They are not. They may have been able to get to $55,000 within the three years but not $78,000. Therefore, the pathway to residence will likely be firmly shut for this migrant worker.
It has been mentioned that Premium Accredited Employers could potentially obtain three-year Essential Skill visas for their workers even though they are considered low-skilled. However, this would only be for positions in a region that is identified as having tight labour markets and that do not have significant infrastructure constraints. Not very helpful at all.
Then why would migrant workers come to NZ in the first place? If residency is not on the cards, which is the end-game for a lot of migrant workers, what’s the point? Residency is an important incentive for NZ to attract and retain their migrant workers. Employer’s are mostly very supportive of their migrant workers gaining residency their migrant worker play a big part in their employer’s lives and are treated like family By servery reducing the ability for these workers to obtain residency, I suspect we will see a decent drop in our migrant workers numbers as NZ cannot compete with the salary and conditions offered by the likes of Australia and Canada and in the current economic climate, with low unemployment, this is bad, very bad for NZ business.
There is much more to this proposal that I have discussed. Visit https://www.mbie.govt.nz/have-your-say/consultation-on-a-new-approach-to-employer-assisted-work-visas-and-regional-workforce-planning/ to have a read for yourself.
Cameron Gray
LIA 201301155
MARN 1791819
Goodluck in training Kiwis to do long hour jobs, low skilled jobs and turning up to work.
Ow well!!! Say goodbye to NZ and hello Australia or Canada! We dont wana push ourselves to those who do not want us 🙂
What about migrants who have already submitted or lodged a WTR visa application, would they be affected by this new proposed changes? Thanks
Hi Roseldo,
In short, we don’t know yet. However, most immigration changes would not affect current holders of visas or visa applicants who have a current application being assessed. You’ll need to read the fine print if and when the changes come into play.
Cameron
Nurses teachers plumbers electricans builders accountants mechanics mostly everyone are low skilled, who gets $37.50 an hour
Hi Paul,
That’s right and these industries in particular will have a hard time with the changes.
Cameron
Why would skilled worker travel for example from South Africa to New Zealand, pay Huge Taxes and won’t have a chance to become a citizen?! Instead there are plenty opportunities in the Middle East where you don’t get a chance to get residency nor citizenship but at the same time there is no tax income.
I don’t think New Zealanders are going to work in supermarkets, farms or driving a track collecting rubbish in the neighborhood.
Those changes will hit New Zealand economy soon or later.
Nurses, electricians, plumbers, builders, accountants, mechanics are all highly skilled. All these professions can get the residency through SMC.
If the 37$/hour.would come throught.might be no International workers would come to work in New Zealand.
Residency is the number one purpose of migrant workers in New Zealand that’s my opinion,thankyou.
Hi Jor,
I agree. Gaining residency is definitely the main goal for a lot of migrants who do end up working in NZ. It will certainly have a big impact on a migrant decision to come to NZ in the first place.
Cameron
Hi there,what if i got already a WTR as 26.50/hr.am i able to apply a residency?thanks
Hi Melvin,
Holders of Work to Residence(Talent – Accredited Employer) work visas would normally be eligible to apply for residency after they have been employed by an accredited employer for at least two years and they can prove that they have earned at least NZ$55,000 in each of the two years. However, there are other criterion to meet such as health and character.
Cameron
I suggest that immigrants on work visa who are earning below 78k should be exempted from taxes. They no longer have government benefits and then removed the chance to becoming residents so there’s no point in paying taxes. Also, employers should provide free accommodation.
How about who has only file on February 2019 is it valid for wtr
Hi William,
Not sure if I understand your question correctly. You could contact me to discuss – cameron@visaaide.co.nz
Are these changes set in stone or is this still discussions.
Hi Chris,
The proposal has passed the consultation stage. We are just waiting on a decision from the minister. All indications are that the changes will come into play.
Cameron
Hi Cameron. I have just been reading your article and as an employer of a migrant worker who has given 5 years to this country, gained a trade qualification through an apprenticeship and is working her way through two years experience post qual. am extremely concerned by these proposed changes. Immigration must be stopped from implementing this very unfair policy. What is the best way to agitate in your opinion?
Hi Lance,
I hear you. The changes would be like pulling the rug from underneath for some. The consultation process ended in March so we are all holding our breath now.
Cameron
I fully agree
Hello sir,
I can understand that as a lower skilled visa holder, we just work in Nz but y do the nz goverment give us that “stand down” policy?
Hi Michael,
The stand down policy is to ensure that low skilled workers do not get settled in NZ as they have little or no chances of gaining NZ residency. It’s the government’s way of saying “temporary means temporary”. It is a very harsh policy and creates issues for the visa holders and NZ employers.
Cameron
Hi Cameron,
Thank you for the information.
Why I can’t find this information on the INZ website ? Interesting.
Hi Guna,
It is only a proposal at the moment. You can find the information here – https://www.mbie.govt.nz/have-your-say/consultation-on-a-new-approach-to-employer-assisted-work-visas-and-regional-workforce-planning
Cameron
Can I still bring my family here? I am a talent visa holder and currently employed to accredited employer.
Hi Bert,
Yes, if you hold a Work to Residence work visa you should be able to support your family to come to NZ.
Cameron
will smc threshold increase as well this year
Hi Jay,
The salary threshold for SMC will be reviewed in November. Keep an eye on it.
Cameron
Hi Cameron,
Presently I am on essentiall work visa with an accredit company on $27 per hour and $56160 per year.will I be eligible to apply for resident visa.
Hi Topu,
Given you are not currently holding a Work to Residence work visa you would most likely need to look at the Skilled Migrant Category as your residency visa option.
Cameron
Hi Cameron, I wonder how long could it take to apply for a 461 visa? I’m from Spain and I’m currently living with my boyfriend in New Zealand 1 year and a half. He is from NZ and had lived in Sydney for 13 years. We’d like to apply for this visa from NZ to live in Australia where I’ve previously lived for 3 years with student visa with the same partner and when it expired we tried to apply for the 461 but unfortunately it was sent it to the wrong envelopment and I wasn’t informed by inmigration. My student visa runned out by the time I was aware about my visa. I’d like to know what changes I’d have with this visa. I was denied a turist visa to Australia. Any information would be a help. Thanks
Hi Silvia,
It sounds like we may need to have a chat about your potential application. Send me an email – cameron@visaaide.co.nz
Cameron
Hi Cameron,
Do the proposals mean that people currently on a talent accredited work visa will not be eligible to apply for work to residence after 24 months if they do not earn $78,000?
Hi Neil,
No, current holders are not affected by the changes.
Cameron
Hi do you know when the new income threshold for accredited employers will be in place. Is it too late for a company applying for accreditation and still employ a worker on the $55000 threshold
Hi Marietjie,
October 7th is when the new salary comes into play. And yes, unfortunately I feel it is too late for employers to become accredited now as the application normally takes around 3-4 months to process.
Cameron
Hi, now the rule came to action. Can you please explain if the change will make any impact on the current work to residence visa holders.
Hi Swathy,
Yes, we finally have an announcement and no, it will not affect current work to residence work visa holders or anyone who has a current W2R application lodged or anyone who is lodging their application prior to the 7th of October 2019.
Cameron
So is Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) still a thing? What I don’t understand is whether all these changes are only for low skilled workers. Can skilled migrants still apply for residency if they score could 160. I would really appreciate if you can clarify that. thanks
Hi Chris,
Yes, SMC is still a visa application that can be made. 160 is the current points threshold but there are many other “finer details” that need to met before an application should be made.
Cameron