Extended Essential Skills Work Visa Being Rolled Out

So even though I believe INZ are being disingenuous about their reasons for extending Essential Skills Work Visas, the fact remains that this is still great news for a large number of migrants currently in New Zealand.

If the numbers quoted by INZ are to be believed, not only will it bring certainty to 18,000 visa holders, but the streamlined process will benefit more than 57,000 ESWV holders.

The biggest winners in this pool are those who earn below the median wage, especially since this has been increased to $27/hour. Prior to the announcement, if you were granted an ESWV but earned below the median wage you would only be granted a visa for 12 months. This has now been extended to 24 months which not only creates certainty for the affected migrants but also gives them access to certain social services and community benefits.

One of the other major benefits is that employers will no longer be required to provide a labour market test for a role that the employee currently holds. So previously, if your visa was expiring and you were applying for a new visa based on your same employment at the same company, the employer would have to advertise the role. If suitable NZ citizens or resident visa holders applied for the position the migrant would pretty much be out of a job which I feel is a little archaic. Going forweard this will no longer be a requirement. However, if an employer is looking to higher for a new role, they will still have to satisfy the labour market test requirement.

So in a nutshell, the going forward the important aspects are as follows:

1. This is effective from 19th July 2021.
2. Offers for below $27/hour will qualify for a 24 month visa.
3. Offers above $27/hour still qualify for a 36 month visa.
4. No labour market test required when applying for a new visa with your current employer and same role.
5. No need to submit a new medial or police clearance certificate even if they are expired.

You may want to pay attention though to point 5 as this seems a little contentious at the moment. While the applicant does not have to provide a police clearance certificate or medical certificate, his partner and children still do with their visas. True to form, INZ putting the cart before the horse, but for today we will take the small win for the migrant community.

If you would like to see the full release, here you go you can view the official release here