In response to what has been deemed as "unsustainable" levels of migration in recent years, New Zealand has announced plans to tighten its visa rules for certain migrants. Immigration Minister Erica Standford has stated that the changes aim to reduce overall immigration numbers, while still attracting the skilled workers that the country needs and protecting migrants from exploitation.

The primary temporary work visa program in New Zealand, known as the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) program, will undergo modifications as part of these new measures. Introduced in 2022 to address workforce shortages caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the program saw a surge in migration in 2023 with approximately 173,000 new non-New Zealand citizens moving to the country. Simultaneously, the country experienced a significant loss of citizens, with 47,000 New Zealanders choosing to move elsewhere.

Immigration Minister Standford emphasized the importance of adjusting immigration settings to rebuild the country's economy. While acknowledging skill shortages in certain sectors, she stated that priority must be given to New Zealanders when it comes to job opportunities without skill shortages. Standford also cited the need for immediate action due to high migrant exploitation and unsustainable immigration levels.

The changes to the visa program include the introduction of English language requirements for low-skilled jobs, establishing a minimum skills and work experience threshold for most employer work visas, and reducing the maximum continuous stay for most low-skilled roles from five years to three years. Additionally, plans to fast track residency for 11 occupations, including welders, fitters, and turners, have been scrapped.

To ensure compliance with the new rules, employers will need to verify that migrants meet the necessary requirements before hiring them. They are also required to confirm that no suitable and available New Zealanders applied for the job before it was offered to a non-New Zealander. However, certain roles in the transport and care sectors will be exempt from these requirements.

Minister Standford clarified that many of the changes are a return to pre-pandemic settings that better balance the interests of businesses with the wider concerns of New Zealand. It is hoped that these modifications will help address the challenges posed by unsustainable immigration levels and prioritize job opportunities for local residents.

It remains to be seen how these changes will impact New Zealand's immigration landscape and whether they will effectively strike a balance between attracting skilled workers and protecting the interests of New Zealand citizens.