New Zealand Immigration Law Immigration News

Many employers will be familiar with the process of hiring and managing a workforce, but when it comes to hiring workers from overseas, employers need to understand that they need to plan ahead. If you are an employer trying to recruit a role with a migrant worker, we explain how the process works.

Employers hiring migrants have been making headlines lately for breaching employer rights and basic immigration and employment law. Leading immigration lawyer Aaron Martin and solicitor Eleanor Gregan discuss the most common mistakes made by migrant employers and how to avoid them.

The government has announced a new median wage of NZD $31.61 per hour to be implemented in the immigration system by February 2024. While it may seem like a straightforward update, the implications for both employers and migrants are far-reaching. Here’s why this policy could be fuelling the cost of living crisis and what youRead more

Opinion piece from Aaron Martin With new restrictions in place for partners of work visa holders, the landscape of New Zealand’s labour market is set to change. Principal lawyer at NZIL, Aaron Martin, gives his opinion on the implications of these changes and the potential challenges lying ahead. New Zealand, much like the rest ofRead more

The government has announced its intended modification to the Partner of a Worker Work visa pathway. Coming into effect on 31 May, 2023, the change will allow partners of temporary migrant workers the ability to apply for a work visa directly from offshore but limit that work right by imposition of conditions on the natureRead more

What is an Accredited employer work visa? An Accredited Employer Work Visa allows an employee to live and work in New Zealand for up to three years. Certain occupations can also gain a pathway to residence. These jobs are listed on what is called “The Green List”, and for these roles, migrants can apply forRead more

As part of border reopening and immigration changes, the government has announced a “Green List” of hard-to-fill, high-skill roles that provide a priority pathway to residency. This new fast-tracked ‘Straight to Residence’ pathway means people who work in one of the Green List occupations, and have a job offer from an accredited employer, can comeRead more

On the 11th of October 2022, the government announced two changes relevant to employers who are planning to recruit migrant workers.  The median wage, currently NZD $27.76 an hour, will increase to NZD $29.66 on 27 February 2023. This affects the pay requirements for an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) and other visas. The AEWVRead more

Turning our backs on top talent Opinion piece from Aaron Martin, principal lawyer for NZIL. The Green List Residence pathway is now open which means that migrants employed in a role on the Green List or who are paid 200% above the median wage have a clear pathway to achieve residence. That’s good news forRead more