Background
2019 is seeing major policy changes proposed by the Government
that will affect the six most commonly utilised work visa
categories. This will place obligations on all employers wishing to
recruit foreign workers to become accredited under one of three new
categories. There will also be four new 'job gateways'
introduced through which the employer can recruit. The changes are
designed to encourage employers to place more New Zealanders into
jobs and to reduce exploitation of migrant workers.
Accreditation applications left until the proposals come into
force will likely result in delayed processing times of
accreditation approvals under the new categories (due to the high
volume of applications expected once the changes are formalised).
This may mean a delay in employees being able to obtain new work
visas and a period within which the employee may not be legally
entitled to work in New Zealand.
