New Zealand announced on Sunday that it would make immediate adjustments to its work visa program following what it described as an unsustainable surge in migrants last year.
The changes include measures such as requiring English language proficiency for low-skilled jobs and setting minimum skill and work experience requirements for most employer-assisted work visas.
Additionally, the maximum duration of continuous residence for most low-skilled jobs will be reduced to 3 years from 5 years.
Minister for Immigration Erica Stanford stated in a release that the government is focused on attracting and retaining highly skilled migrants such as secondary school teachers, where there is a skills shortage.
She added that at the same time, they need to ensure that New Zealanders are at the front of the queue for jobs where there is no skills shortage.
According to the statement, last year saw a record influx of 173,000 arrivals to New Zealand.
New Zealand, with a population of around 5.1 million, has experienced rapid growth in immigrant numbers since the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, sparking concerns last year that it would fuel inflation.
Neighboring Australia, which also witnessed a significant jump in immigrant numbers, announced it would halve the number it accepts over the next two years.
New Zealand, with a population of around 5.1 million, has experienced rapid growth in immigrant numbers since the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, sparking concerns last year that it would fuel inflation.
Neighboring Australia, which also witnessed a significant jump in immigrant numbers, announced it would halve the number it accepts over the next two years.
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