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The New Zealand government has made immediate changes to the Accredited Employer Worker Visa (AEWV) scheme to address "unsustainable" net migration.

Stricter visa requirements

Changes affect low-skilled workers, who must now meet stricter English-language proficiency and face shorter visa durations, reduced from five years to three.New Zealand aims to attract and retain highly skilled migrants while prioritizing local job seekers for roles without skill shortages.

Employers must now ensure migrant workers meet specific qualifications and skills. The Employers and Manufacturers Association expressed worries about potential unintended consequences of the new rules.New Zealand has issued half as many study visas to Indian students in the past five months, citing tighter visa rules.

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Balancing act

Australia also plans to reduce migration intake by half, tightening visa rules for international students and low-skilled workers.

While the goal is to prevent exploitation and ensure the right workers, concerns remain about potential economic impacts and workforce shortages.These changes reflect New Zealand's efforts to manage migration and prioritize skilled workers, aiming for a more balanced and sustainable approach.

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