NEW TEMPORARY VISA OPTION FOR SOME SEASONAL WORKERS
The Government has this week announced a new subcategory of the ‘Specific Purpose Work Visa’ programme to provide interim, time-limited, short-term relief to employers in industries with upcoming seasonal peaks.
To be eligible, the seasonal work must be directly impacted by changes in weather, such as harvesting, ski instructing, or tree planting. The role must also start on or before 31 May 2025, and be for no longer than 9 months. Horticulture, viticulture, and fishing crew work covered by other visas is excluded. While noting that the positions must be directly impacted by weather changes, Minister Stanford has confirmed during Q&As in her press releases that roles that are seasonal in nature but based indoors (such as in the meat processing sector) could be included under this new category.
Applications from migrants must be received on or before 31 March 2025. Employers hoping to use this new category of visa will need to hold employer accreditation, pay at least NZD$29.66 per hour for the role for a minimum of 30 hours per week, and advertise the role nationwide.
INCREASE TO VISA CHARGES COMES INTO EFFECT FROM 1 OCTOBER 2024
The coalition Government has announced that it intends to create a more sustainable immigration system by adjusting international visa costs from 1 October 2024.
From 1 October 2024, new visa charges will be set at an appropriate level to recover the costs of processing a visa and reflect the benefits received by people who use immigration services. Please find the current and new visa application fees from 1 October 2024 attached.
Visitors to New Zealand
It is important to note, not every international visitor needs a visitor visa to come to New Zealand with most international visitors coming from visa-waiver countries. Visitors from visa-waiver countries travelling on a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) will not be required to pay increased visa charges at this time.
Visa application from Pacific countries
New Zealand’s ongoing commitment to supporting the Pacific Islands will see the continuation of subsidised fees for visa applicants from Pacific countries.
ESOL programmes
Migrants using the immigration system will now fund 80 percent of costs for English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) programmes in schools. The Government will continue to fund the remaining 20 percent.
Please contact your Ajuria advisor for further information.
