As always, we’re here to keep you informed about the current immigration settings to help you understand the obligations of Accredited Employers.
Recently, we’ve noted that some accreditation audits made by Immigration New Zealand (INZ) on businesses have been unannounced, so it’s crucial to ensure you’re prepared.
Below are some tips to ensure you’re always ready for potential INZ audits.
Tips for your accreditation renewal and audit compliance
Employee online learning modules
Ensure your Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) holders complete their MBIE online learning modules within the required timeframe during their paid work hours.
Support migrant workers
Provide necessary support and information to help migrant workers settle in New Zealand. Some of this includes accommodation and transportation options, public services and community groups.
Employer responsibilities
Ensure that anyone in your organisation who makes decisions about hiring AEWV workers has completed the MBIE online learning modules on employer responsibilities.
Meet obligations
Continue to meet the obligations and declarations made during your initial accreditation application.
Business viability
Demonstrate that your business is viable and genuinely operating.
These require substantial documentation, our team is here to assist you with this.
One of INZ’s most requested pieces of information during renewals and audits is businesses maintaining accurate records of AEWV holders. This includes their visa conditions and reminding them of their expiry dates. We understand that this can be challenging for some businesses.
VisaTrack, developed by Working In, can help accredited employers in providing you and your visa holders with accurate information and full visibility of your international workforce’s visas. This ensures streamlined visa management, compliance, and a smooth renewal process despite the complex immigration landscape.
Get in touch with us for accreditation assistance and VisaTrack
Feedback on English requirement for residence
During recent wellbeing sessions with your workforce, we noted a significant number of questions regarding the English requirements for residence. Many workers are hoping that the Government will ease this mandatory requirement.
We understand that this requirement presents a challenge for many of your migrant employees. However, we are aware that the Minister of Immigration does not intend to relax the English language requirement. While this information relates specifically to Residence under the Transport Sector Agreement, we believe this decision will likely be consistent across the skilled migrant residence policy.
Please note that under the current regulations, most AEWV workers have a maximum stay of five years, which they can use to prepare for their residence applications requirements.
We can assist in planning your staff’s pathway to residence and check if they are eligible to extend their current visas. We can also help them meet the English language requirements for their visa applications, whether for residence or AEWV, through Working In’s English Language Training.
