New Zealand announced immediate adjustments to its employment visa program following a surge in migration that officials deemed unsustainable. These changes encompass new criteria like an English language requirement for low-skilled positions, a minimum skills and work experience threshold for most employer work visas, and a reduction in the maximum continuous stay for low-skilled roles from five to three years.

Immigration Minister Erica Stanford emphasized the focus on attracting and retaining highly skilled migrants, particularly in sectors like secondary teaching where there are shortages. The government aims to prioritize job opportunities for New Zealanders in areas without skill shortages.

In the previous year, nearly 173,000 people migrated to New Zealand, nearing a record high. This influx, amidst rapid post-pandemic growth in migrant numbers, raised concerns about inflationary pressures. Similar concerns prompted Australia, New Zealand's neighbor, to announce a plan to halve its migrant intake over the next two years.

These adjustments reflect New Zealand's strategic balancing act: leveraging skilled migration to address labor gaps while safeguarding job opportunities for its citizens and addressing economic concerns.

New Zealand announced immediate adjustments to its employment visa program following a surge in migration that officials deemed unsustainable. These changes encompass new criteria like an English language requirement for low-skilled positions, a minimum skills and work experience threshold for most employer work visas, and a reduction in the maximum continuous stay for low-skilled roles from five to three years.

Immigration Minister Erica Stanford emphasized the focus on attracting and retaining highly skilled migrants, particularly in sectors like secondary teaching where there are shortages. The government aims to prioritize job opportunities for New Zealanders in areas without skill shortages.

In the previous year, nearly 173,000 people migrated to New Zealand, nearing a record high. This influx, amidst rapid post-pandemic growth in migrant numbers, raised concerns about inflationary pressures. Similar concerns prompted Australia, New Zealand's neighbor, to announce a plan to halve its migrant intake over the next two years.

These adjustments reflect New Zealand's strategic balancing act: leveraging skilled migration to address labor gaps while safeguarding job opportunities for its citizens and addressing economic concerns.