Upcoming New Zealand Immigration Changes 2022

A new system with 3 checks

The system will introduce 3 checks before an employer can hire a migrant worker. These checks are:

1. the employer check — employers need accreditation to pass this
2. the job check
3. the migrant worker check.

1. Employer check

The employer check will replace 3 current employer schemes:

• approval in principle (AIP) before an employer hires workers on an Essential Skills Work Visa
• Accreditation as a Talent Accredited Employer, and
• Labour Hire employers accreditation for Essential Skills work visas.

To pass the employer check you need accreditation in the new system. Only accredited employers can hire a migrant worker on the employer-assisted work visa.

Standard and high-volume accreditation

These 2 main accreditation levels are:

• standard accreditation — for employers who want to hire 5 or fewer migrant workers, and
• high-volume accreditation — for employers who want to hire 6 or more migrant workers (similar to the accredited sponsorship status in Australia).

This only includes employees you want to hire on employer-assisted work visas.

Franchisees and Labour Hire companies will need to meet additional criteria to get accredited.

When you are approved you will receive accreditation for 12 months. At renewal, some employers will be granted accreditation for 24 months.

Criteria for standard accreditation

To gain standard accreditation you must not be on a non-compliant stand-down list — a list of employers who have broken employment law.

You must also comply with all relevant industry and regulatory standards.

Criteria for high-volume accreditation

High-volume employers must commit to improving pay and employment conditions, as well as training and upskilling New Zealanders.

Application process

We will retain information you previously supplied when applying for renewed accreditation.

You will need a New Zealand Business Number (NZBN) so we can link your business information with the new platform.

The system will guide you to ensure you provide all the information we need.

You will need to pay the fee for the employer check.

INZ will work with employers to transition to the new accreditation process. More details about the new accreditation criteria will be provided to employers in early 2021.

2. Job check

The job check will confirm the job pays our market rate, the terms and conditions comply with our employment laws, and you have done a labour market test if you need to.

A labour market test shows you have genuinely advertised the role to New Zealanders and there are no New Zealanders available to do the job in that region.

Jobs paying 200% of the median wage and those on skills shortage lists do not need a labour market test.

You can only hire a migrant worker if the job check is passed. Employers pay for a job check.