Important Immigration changes to be aware of
There have been some significant announcements in the last few days involving proposed changes to the Skilled Migrant Category, Temporary visas and a new (one-off)South Island Residence option.
South Island special residence category
- Applications open 22nd May 2017
- This is a one-off pathway to Residence for long term temporary migrants in lower skill jobs that have held Essential Skills visas for 5 years or longer for jobs in the South Island
- This is a huge opportunity for those South Islanders that do not meet current Residency criteria
- High level proposals announced
- More detail to be made available in June
- Changes to come into effect 14th August 2017
- $48,859 pa based on a 40 hour week ($23.49 per hour) for occupations with skill levels 1-3. Below this positions will not be considered skilled
- Above $73,299 pa ($35.24 per hour) where automatically deemed to be skilled (salary will need to be justified)
- Middle band income earners will still be assessed under current skilled employment instructions
- Lower salary band will affect many retail, healthcare and hospitality migrants
- increased points for skilled work experience
- bonus points for incomes over $97,718 pa ($46.98 per hour)
- removal of some bonus points for absolute skills shortages list, identified future growth areas, close family in NZ
- At this point, the proposals for temporary visa changes are not finalised– they are out for public consultation, submissions by 21 May 2017
- Changes to be implemented in August 2017
- Remuneration levels would likely replace ANZSCO as the main determinant of the skill level of an essential Skills visa holder
- Visa lengths will be guided by the same salary bands that apply to the Skilled Migrant category (lowest band still one year)
- Work visas for people in lower income bracket (<$23.49 per hour) only to be issued up to 3 years, then followed by a one year “stand down” period outside of NZ
- Partners of lower skilled workers will likely only get visitor visas unless they apply for work visas based on a job offer
- Dependent children of lower skilled workers will likely not be able to get fee subsidies as domestic students (will pay international student fees if they intend to study)