New visa for New Zealand: How foreigners will invade the job market

The New Zealand government has opened its doors selectively and strategically. This is not uncontrolled mass immigration, but a targeted strategy to address a serious talent shortage in key sectors.

The New Zealand labor market is being significantly boosted by these new waves of skilled foreign workers, whose arrival is seen as essential support for the country’s economic growth.

Towards a measured « invasion » to fill the shortages

Rather than an « invasion, » New Zealand’s current approach to skilled immigration is a pragmatic strategy aimed at filling labor shortages and attracting capital and high-level skills to stimulate its economy.

Recent reforms to several visa categories aim to facilitate access to the labor market for skilled foreigners.

The Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV): A Major Easement

The Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) has undergone significant relaxations, facilitating the hiring of foreign workers in many sectors.

The minimum experience required for many positions has been reduced from three to two years, expanding the pool of eligible candidates.

The requirement to pay at least the median wage is no longer strict for all applications.

The salary must now meet the market rate and be at least equal to the legal minimum wage (which increases regularly).

The maximum duration of some work visas has been extended, providing more stability for skilled workers and allowing them to stay longer, up to five years for the highest skill levels.

More occupations have been reclassified as « skilled » (for example, some roles in hospitality or construction), simplifying the process for employers who desperately need them.

These adjustments are clearly aimed at making New Zealand more attractive to professionals, particularly in construction, skilled trades, and care.

The Path to Residence: The Skilled Migrant Category (SMC)

The New Zealand government has also simplified the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa (SMC), the main pathway to residence for skilled workers.

The new system focuses on earning six points based on qualifications (degree), salary level, and professional registration, as well as skilled work experience already acquired in New Zealand.

This visa targets professionals who already have proven skills locally or who are recruited for specific positions, ensuring that immigration is synonymous with long-term added value.

Active Investor Plus Visas: Attracting the Wealthy

Although not directly targeting the everyday job market, changes to the Active Investor Plus (AIP) visa aim to attract wealthy investors (often American or Asian) with significant capital (minimum NZ$5 million).

These investors inject funds into New Zealand companies, which ultimately creates jobs and stimulates the domestic economy.