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- Open Work Rights for More Partners of Work Visa Holders: What You Need to Know
Published: 25 October 2024 | Reading Time: 2 minutes Great news for migrant families in New Zealand! Starting 2 December 2024 , partners of various work visa holders will regain open work rights. This significant update means that partners will be able to work for any employer across the country, providing much-needed flexibility and opportunity. Why This Change Matters Open work rights are a big step forward from the current rules, which often restrict partners to specific jobs with accredited employers. With these new rights, partners will have more job options, allowing them to better support their families and communities. Who Will Benefit? From 2 December 2024 , the following groups will be eligible for open work rights: Partners of Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) Holders : Those working in roles classified as ANZSCO Level 1-3 and earning at least NZD $25.29 per hour (80% of the standard median wage). Partners of AEWV holders who were already supporting a partner for a work visa on 26 June 2024 and earning at least $25.29 per hour . Partners of AEWV Holders in ANZSCO Level 4-5 Roles : If they earn: At least $47.41 per hour (150% of the standard median wage), or At least $31.61 per hour in a role on the Green List, meeting the relevant requirements, or At least $25.29 per hour in roles specified in the Transport or Care Sector Agreements (whichever is higher). Next Steps for Applicants If you currently hold a partnership-based work visa with conditions, and your partner qualifies under the new rules, you can apply for a variation of your visa conditions to gain open work rights starting 2 December 2024 . Additionally, if your partner is overseas and the new conditions make moving to New Zealand appealing, now is a great time to discuss starting a partnership-based visa. How We Can Help Navigating immigration processes can be complex, but you don’t have to do it alone. As a licensed immigration adviser, I can assist you in understanding your eligibility, preparing applications, and ensuring you make the most of these new opportunities.
- Guidance for Accredited Employers and AEWV Holders During Business Sales, Mergers, or Restructures
Published: 7 October 2024 | Reading Time: 4 minutes If you are a migrant worker on an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV), changes in your employer’s circumstances—such as a business sale or restructure—can lead to uncertainty. For Accredited Employer, understanding how these transitions affect their accreditation is also crucial. With recent updates to immigration rules, it is more important than ever to stay informed and ensure compliance. This article will guide you through two common scenarios: 1. Redundancy Due to the Sale of a Business 2. Transfer of AEWV holders to a New Employer After a Sale Scenario 1: Redundancy Due to the Sale of a Business When a business is sold, the new owner may choose not to retain the existing migrant staff. In this case, migrant workers on an AEWV could face redundancy. What Happens to the AEWV Holder? If your role is made redundant because of the sale of the business, it is essential to be proactive and to act quickly to maintain your immigration status. Notify Immigration New Zealand (INZ) : As soon as you are made redundant, you must inform INZ. Failure to notify them promptly could lead to complications with your visa status. Explore New Visa Options : Depending on your situation, you may be eligible for: A Visitor Visa to give you more time to find another job. A Job Change/Variation of Conditions if you secure a position with another accredited employer but for the same role and in the same location. A New Accredited Employer Work Visa if you secure a position with another accredited employer with a different job title and/or in a different location. Plan Your Departure if Necessary : If you cannot find new employment or obtain a new visa in a reasonable time, you may need to leave New Zealand. What Can Employers Do to Support Their Workers? For employers selling their business, it is crucial to manage redundancy with care and empathy: Clear Communication : Notify affected employees as soon as possible and advise them to contact INZ immediately to discuss their visa options. Maintain Compliance : Promptly notify INZ of the redundancies. Provide Support : While you cannot continue employing them, offering references, sharing job opportunities, or connecting workers with support services (such as Immigration Lawyers, Licensed Immigration Advisers or Community Law Centres) can help employees to remain lawfully in the country and plan the next steps. Scenario 2: Retaining AEWV holders In some cases, the new owner may wish to retain existing employees. This is possible, but it requires following specific steps to ensure all immigration laws are being followed. What Happens for the New Employer? If the new employer intends to hire the existing employees, they must meet certain requirements: Apply for Employer Accreditation : If the business structure and/or the New Zealand Business Number (NZBN) changes, the new employer must apply for accreditation with INZ to be able to hire migrant workers. The new employer must meet all the mandatory accreditation requirements, including demonstrating financial stability and ability to sustain their migrant workers employment. Update the Employee’s Work Visa : INZ require all AEWV holders who remain in the same role/location but with a new employer (due to business sale or restructure) to apply for a Job Change/Variation of Conditions: From 6 November 2024, if the role and location remain unchanged, the migrant worker can apply directly for a Job Change/Variation of Conditions to update their visa with the new employer’s details, without the employer needing to apply for a Job Check first. INZ can now approve a job change before the new employer's accreditation application is fully processed, helping to reduce delays and ensure the worker's employment continues during the accreditation process. If the role or location changes, the new employer will need to apply for a Job Check before the AEWV holder can apply for a Job Change / Variation of Conditions to update their visa. Quota and High-Volume Accreditation: It is important to note that AEWV holders transferring to a new employer will count within the new employer’s AEWV quota. If the new employer expects to need more than five AEWV workers, they must apply for high-volume accreditation before employees can submit a Job Change application. Conclusion: By acting quickly and working together, both employers and migrant employees can minimise disruption to business operations and the employee’s employment during the transition. If you need guidance on navigating these changes, do not hesitate to get in touch with me at audrey@abeona.co.nz for tailored advice.
- Aotearoa New Zealand as a Village of 100 People: Highlights from the 2023 Census
Published: 3 October 2024 | Reading Time: 2 minutes The 2023 Census data is out, and it’s time to dive into what it means for Aotearoa! To make sense of all the numbers, let’s imagine our country as a village of just 100 people. This perspective helps us visualise our diverse population and their lifestyles in a relatable way. Key Insights from the Census Population Growth and Gender Breakdown As of 2023, our "village" has a population of 4,993,923 , up from 4,699,755 in 2018—a solid 6.3% increase . In our village of 100: 49 are male 50 are female 1 identifies as a different gender This snapshot shows the growing recognition of gender diversity in Aotearoa. Age Distribution Understanding age demographics is crucial for planning services. Here’s how our village breaks down: 19 are under 15 19 are aged 15-29 45 are between 30-64 17 are 65 or older The median age is 38.1 , highlighting a mature population with unique needs. Cultural Diversity Aotearoa is a melting pot! In our village: 71 were born here 29 were born overseas, including: 12 from Asia 5 from the UK and Ireland 4 from the Pacific Islands Language diversity is also rich, with 95 speaking English, while others use Māori, Samoan, and Hindi, adding to our cultural tapestry. Ethnic Representation The ethnic breakdown is equally revealing: 68 identify as European 18 as Māori 17 as Asian 9 as Pacific peoples This diversity strengthens our community and invites greater understanding among us all. Education and Employment Looking at education and employment gives us insight into our workforce. Among those aged 15 and over: 12 have no qualifications 26 have basic qualifications (Levels 1-3) 12 hold bachelor’s degrees or higher In terms of work status, in our village of 100: 42 are employed full-time 11 part-time 2 are unemployed These stats show where we can focus on upskilling and job creation. Home Ownership and Income Home ownership is a key issue: 38 own or partly own their homes 37 do not own their homes The median annual income for those aged 15 and over is $41,500 , with a chunk earning below $30,000 . This indicates ongoing challenges with affordability. Read more about what makes Aotearoa so unique, by visiting this page: https://www.stats.govt.nz/infographics/aotearoa-new-zealand-as-a-village-of-100-people/
- NZ Visa Application Fee Increase
Published: 3 October 2024 | Reading Time: 2 minutes New Visa Charges Effective 1 October 2024 As of 1 October 2024 , new visa charges are now in place, including updated fees and levies. These changes aim to keep our immigration system efficient and self-sustaining. The government announced these increases on 9 August 2024 to help maintain the integrity and functionality of immigration services in New Zealand. Key Changes: International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) : The IVL fee has increased from NZD $35.00 to NZD $100.00 for most international visitors applying for visas or the NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority). Visa Fees : A comprehensive table detailing the new fees and levies is now available. This table is a general guide, and you can find specific amounts by using the “fees, decision times, and where to apply” tool on the Immigration New Zealand website. Who is Affected? Most international visitors will need to pay these updated charges, particularly those applying for: Visitor visas (excluding partner and dependent categories) NZeTAs Student visas (excluding dependent child category) Working Holiday and Work Exchange schemes Specific Purpose Work visas Support for Pacific Countries New Zealand is committed to supporting its Pacific neighbours, so subsidised visa fees will continue for applicants from Pacific countries. English Language Support New policies will require those using the immigration system to fund 80% of the costs for English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) programmes in schools, while the government will cover the remaining 20% . Stay Updated For more detailed information about these changes, including the exact fees and levies that apply to your situation, check out the Immigration fee and levy table effective from 1 October 2024 . If you have any questions or need assistance, feel free to reach out through our contact page.