Immigration New Zealand has made some changes in its work visas like Entrepreneur Work Visa, Skilled Migrant Category and Essential Skills work visa.
The new changes came into effect from 1st November for improving the number of workers, investment and skills all over the country. The modifications have been done in a way for motivating the skilled entrepreneurs and the migrants to settle down outside Auckland.
There are three changes to the work visas like increasing the bonus points from 10 to 30 points for the Skilled Migrants who are applying for residing with the job offer outside of Auckland. Increasing the points from 20 to 40 points for the entrepreneurs who are planning to set up the businesses in the area under Entrepreneur Work Visa. Updating the test for labour market for providing the employers with more certainty, earlier in the process of visa application.
Applications that will be made after 1st November under the categories of Entrepreneur Work or Skilled Migrant visa, would be eligible for some extra points, if the business or employment offer is out of the regions that are covered by Auckland Council.
Those who have applied for the Skilled Migrant Expressions of Interest before 1st November and who had claimed 10 points for working outside Auckland, their points would get automatically increased.
The applicants under the skilled migrant visa category who are given some more points might subject to a clause that they cannot work in Auckland for a year after their residency visa is granted. The clause for staying outside of Auckland for a year applies to those who are currently not working, or they have worked for the period of three months or less than that.
The Immigration Department of New Zealand had taken advice before 1st November 2015 when the application for the Essential Skills work visa for filling the low skill position was received. The employers will be able to work with the Work and Income directly before the application for the visa is lodged.
Work and Income would present a record of that engagement which is known as Skills Match Report. The employers who work with Work and Income and got the Skills Match Report prior supporting the application for work visa would have got the access for the support of Work and Income, and they would be put in touch with the New Zealanders who would be suitable for their vacancy. And also enables faster processing of their visas as the immigration department would not require checking after the application for the visa has been made.
From next year March 2016, it would be compulsory for all the applications under the low skill Essential Skills work visa to incorporate the Skills Match Report.
