23 September ’24 – From Monday, 7 October 2024, accredited employers will be required to directly engage with Work and Income when filling most ANZSCO Level 4 or 5 positions during the Job Check stage.
This change means immigration professionals can no longer liaise with Work and Income on behalf of employers. The goal is to ensure employers make a genuine effort to hire New Zealanders before seeking migrant workers, strengthening the integrity of the Labour Market Test.
The government is implementing this rule because, when Work and Income only had the contact information of immigration professionals, it was harder to connect directly with employers about potential local candidates. Now, employers must provide the contact details of someone responsible for hiring, such as a hiring manager, HR manager, or owner/operator.
Employers can still involve external agencies, like recruitment firms, in their Work and Income engagement, as long as the agency is involved in hiring decisions and not providing immigration advice related to the Job Check application.
This change aims to streamline the process by ensuring that the person engaging with Work and Income is directly involved in hiring and understands the specific needs of the role. This will enhance communication between employers and Work and Income, helping ensure suitable New Zealanders are considered for the position.
This is part of a broader set of changes the Immigration New Zealand is making to temporary work visa settings, addressing sector concerns and further strengthening the immigration system.
Key Stat on AEWV
Accreditation applications started on 23 May 2022, Job Check applications began on 20 June 2022, and work visa applications started on 4 July 2022.
As of 9 September 2024, Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has approved 126,542 AEWV (Accredited Employer Work Visa) applications. Currently, there are 30,442 accredited employers and 84,317 people holding AEWV visas.
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Reference
https://www.immigration.govt.nz/
About ICL Immigration
ICL Immigration, based in Auckland, is an established licensed immigration adviser with over 20 years of experience and a remarkable 97% approval rate. We’ve helped over 1,000 immigrants realise their New Zealand settlement dreams.
We specialise in a broad spectrum of visa services, including student, residency, and work visas, and business-related services like employer accreditation. We ensure personalised solutions for individuals and businesses aiming to navigate New Zealand’s immigration landscape successfully.
