The New Zealand government has introduced changes to the skilled migrant visa to provide more certainty for applicants and address the global labor s
The New Zealand government has introduced changes to the skilled migrant visa to provide more certainty for applicants and address the global labor shortage. Highly skilled workers will no longer be subject to a cap, and a new six-point system will determine eligibility and provide a faster pathway to residence. The Accredited Employer Work Visa will be extended to five years, and a maximum continuous stay of five years will be introduced. The simplified points system will be based on occupational registration, recognized qualifications, or income, with a minimum requirement of six points. These changes aim to attract and retain skilled migrants to fill medium- to long-term skills needs. The new system complements other pathways to residence and will result in faster processing of applications. The government aims to provide certainty to skilled migrants and their families, ensuring a clearer route to residency.
