We hope you and your team are well.
As we approach the final seven weeks of 2023, it’s crucial for businesses to concentrate on tasks that can significantly impact success in the coming year. If you haven’t yet registered for our November Webinar, we encourage you to join. Our expert team will provide an action plan of the key areas to focus on and help you get organised.
We have received a lot of enquiries around Job Checks lately. A reminder that there is increased financial and hiring risk in managing these without expert help. We process Job Checks every day and can help you get sorted.
A quick update below on recently announced changes to the Migrant Exploitation Protection Work Visa, AEWV and Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa.
Summary of updates
Migrant Exploitation Protection Work Visa (MEPV)
To support people who have been exploited on their work visas, INZ has made changes to the MEPV and added translated information in 12 languages on how to identify and avoid immigration scams. These can be found here.
Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV)
INZ have adjusted their AEWV assessment approach and are requesting more information from employers in order to confirm that job vacancies are both current and genuine, and that employers can support the individuals they plan to hire. As a result, INZ have warned of an increase in processing times for the Employer Accreditation and Job Check phases of the AEWV system.
Mentioned in our last email, as of 29 October 2023, employers can no longer use 90-day trial periods when hiring people on an AEWV. This includes Job Checks submitted before 29 October 2023 but assessed on and after this date.
From 27 November 2023, labour hire (triangular) construction employment firms will need to have at least 35% of their workforce made up of New Zealand citizens and residents.
Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa (SMC)
A simplified points system has been introduced by INZ that sets a clear skills threshold for residence and offers several ways for people to demonstrate their skill level.
With a new List of Qualifications Exempt from Assessment (LQEA), and a new interim visa for SMC Resident Visa applicants, alongside a new priority processing order, it means that SMC applicants with six points without work experience will be prioritised for processing.
It is also worth noting that SMC Interim Visa holders can now apply to vary the conditions of their interim visas.
Webinar November 22 – Act now to safeguard your business in 2024
We want to help you start 2024 with your best foot forward, knowing your immigration paperwork and international staff are well looked after. Join our webinar to learn key aspects that you can control right now and how to plan ahead to get advantage over your competition.
Date – Wednesday 22 November
Time – 11 am
