In the latest announcements, New Zealand Government has lifted all the restrictions and its international borders will reopen from August 2022. All visa holders including visitor, family, international student etc. will be able to apply and travel to New Zealand.
4 July 2022
- Applications for work visas open, including the Accredited Employer work visa
- The Accredited Employer Work Visa will include a median wage threshold.
1 August 2022
Applications for visitor visa and student visas reopen
New Fast-track Residence Pathway for “Green list” jobs
A fast tracked Residence visa pathway will be available for migrants from September 2022 who will have a job offer in New Zealand in an occupation on the “Green List” (as below).
Eligible migrants working in these occupations or who are paid twice the median wage will have clear pathways to residence.
New Zealand employers won’t need to provide proof of advertising for these occupations while employing any migrants for an Accredited Employer Work Visa.
The existing skills shortage lists will be replaced by this new Green List. Any roles that are currently on a skills shortage list, but not on the Green List won’t be exempt from a labour market test unless they pay at least 200% of the median wage.
The occupations in the Green list will include:
- Construction Project Manager
- Project Builder
- Quantity Surveyor
- Surveyor
- Chemical Engineer
- Civil Engineering Technician
- Civil Engineer
- Electrical Engineer
- Electronics Engineer
- Electrical Engineering Technician
- Electronic Engineering Technician
- Environmental Engineer
- Geotechnical Engineer
- Industrial Engineer
- Materials Engineer
- Mechanical Engineer
- Production or Plant Engineer
- Structural Engineer
- Engineering Professionals
- Telecommunications Engineer
- Telecommunications Network Engineers
- General Practitioner
- Anaesthetist
- Psychiatrist
- Specialist Physicians
- Surgeons
- Other Medical Practitioners
- Resident Medical Officer
- Medical Laboratory Scientist
- Clinical Psychologists & Psychologists
- Physicist
- Orthoptist
- Veterinarian
- Other Spatial Scientist
- Environmental Research Scientist
- Food Technologist
- ICT Managers
- Software Engineer
- ICT Security Specialist
- Multimedia Specialists
Occupations Eligible For Work To Residence Pathway
Eligible migrants in the following occupations will be able to apply for residence after two years working in New Zealand as:
- Anaesthetic Technician
- Medical Laboratory Technician
- Medical Imaging Technologist
- Medical Radiation Therapist
- Occupational Therapist
- Sonographer
- Podiatrist
- Audiologist
- All Registered Nurses
- Midwife
- Secondary School Teachers
- Early Childhood (Pre-Primary) Teachers
- Automotive Electrician
- Diesel Motor Mechanic (including Heavy Vehicle Inspector)
- Electrician (General) – registered
- Plumber
- Dairy Farm Managers
People whose occupation does not feature on these lists may still be eligible to apply under the Skilled Migrant Category.
Changes For Post Study Work Rights For Students
- International students in non-degree level courses will not be able to get post-study work rights except in specified shortage and skilled occupations.
- Degree-level and other eligible international students’ work rights last the same length as their studies.
- Masters and PhD students will retain the right to work in New Zealand for up to three years after their studies
- Students will also not be able to apply for a second post-study visa in New Zealand.
Check this related article out: New Zealand: New Health Sector Roles Added On The Green List
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