In response to a near-record influx of migrants last year,
New Zealand has announced immediate adjustments to its employment visa program, saying the record migration into the country was “unsustainable”. The move comes as the government aims to address the strain caused by a surge in migration and its potential impact on the local
economy. Among the changes are the introduction of an English language requirement for low-skilled positions and the establishment of minimum skill and work experience thresholds for most employer work visas. Additionally, the maximum continuous stay for many low-skilled roles will be reduced from five years to three.
immigration Minister Erica Stanford emphasized the government’s dual focus on attracting highly skilled migrants to address specific shortages, while also prioritizing
Job opportunities for New Zealanders. “The Government is focused on attracting and retaining highly skilled migrants such as secondary teachers, where there is a skill shortage. At the same time we need to ensure that New Zealanders are put to the front of the line for jobs where there are no skills shortages,” she stated. Last year, New Zealand witnessed nearly 173,000 people migrating to the country, nearing a record high, according to a statement released by the government. This significant migration influx has raised concerns about its potential to exacerbate inflationary pressures in the economy. With a population of approximately 5.1 million, New Zealand has experienced rapid growth in migrant numbers since the end of the pandemic, prompting policymakers to take proactive measures to manage the flow of newcomers. The move by New Zealand follows a similar trend in neighbouring Australia, which has also witnessed a substantial increase in migrant arrivals, which made the country recently announce plans to halve its migrant intake over the next two years. Ozioma Samuel-Ugwuezi Follow us on: