Posts about work visa options for New Zealand but not specific named ones
We’re excited to announce that we’re working with a New Zealand recruitment firm to find candidates for five job openings at a leading New Zealand engineering consultancy in the power industry.
These candidates must meet the job requirements and New Zealand’s work visa requirements.
The openings are for the following jobs:
- Principal/Senior Communications & Control Engineer
- Principal/Senior Primary Design Engineer
- Senior Protection and Secondary Design Engineer
- Power System Analysis (PSA) Engineer
- Senior Power System Analysis (PSA) Engineer
Keep on reading for the description and requirements of each role.
If you’re interested in a position, please book a consultation call with our licensed advisor Katrin Maja O’Flynn. Katrin will talk you through the immigration assessment process and explain the way forward.
1. Principal/Senior Communications & Control Engineer
The Principal/Senior Communications & Control Engineer uses their specialist knowledge to design and deliver solutions and provide technical guidance to others.
Commercial responsibilities involve quoting, planning, and managing projects, ensuring that they are delivered on time, within budget and to the agreed standards of quality.
Required Experience:
Ten years of industry experience, preferably with engineering consultancy experience.
Responsibilities:
The technical activities carried out by the Communications & Control Engineer are likely to include:
- Project evaluation, scoping, specification and quoting
- Research, design, solutions development, feasibility study and assessment
- Research, strategy development and creation of technology roadmaps, as they apply to the power industry
- Engineering of solutions for telecommunication and IT aspects within the power industry, including:
- Fiber optic networks
- Radio network design for point-to-point and multipoint applications
- Mobile radio and telemetry solutions
- AC reticulation and DC system design
- Earthing and lightning protection
- Cabling networks
- CCTV and security system
- Synchronisation and timing techniques
- SCADA systems, processes, architecture and protocols
- LAN, WAN, internetworking and development of IP topology and architectures, substation hardened networking and industrial networking solutions
- Digital power line carrier
- Communication solutions for protection signalling service requirements
- Definition and design of architecture for multi-layered service-oriented networked solutions, applicable to critical infrastructure
- Awareness and familiarity with cyber security methodologies, architectures, standards and industry best practices applicable to the power industry
- Familiarity with products and FCAPS techniques, applied to NMS and OSS infrastructure requirements
- An awareness and knowledge of IoT, data analytics and their application to the power industry
The project management and commercial aspects of the work involve:
- Managing projects and attending regular meetings, to discuss the best way to move projects forward
- Participating in conference calls and meetings, to discuss products, action plans and team performance
- Attending briefings on new networks and new products
- Managing resources, including budgets, physical resources and project members
- Preparing high-quality written reports and presentations, for management and customer review
- Identifying business development opportunities and assisting in tendering, quoting and customer development
- Ensuring that projects are delivered on time, within budget and to agreed standards of quality
Key Result Areas:
- Technical quality of design deliverables
- Project performance: Time and budget
- Engineering design and judgement
- Project performance: Client expectations
Key Skills and Personal Qualities:
- Technical ability and knowledge
- A very good understanding of protection and secondary design
- Organisational skills
- Adaptability and the ability to learn new skills quickly
- Good presentation and communication skills
- Skilled technical authoring and a good aptitude for report writing
- The ability to work efficiently and effectively with minimal supervision
- The capability to concentrate under pressure, to meet tight deadlines
- Analytical and problem-solving skills
- Business/commercial awareness
- The ability to work well within a team and individually
- The ability to innovate and identify both business and technical opportunities, while carrying out day-to-day duties
- Excellent project and people management skills
2. Principal/Senior Primary Design Engineer
The Primary Design Engineer shall demonstrate experience and sound judgement in both commercial and technical responsibilities.
The technical aspect of the role includes using specialist knowledge to design and deliver solutions, as well as providing technical guidance to other markets and teams.
Commercial responsibilities involve quoting, planning and managing projects, ensuring that they are delivered on time, within budget and to the agreed standards of quality.
Required Experience:
Candidates shall either have at least ten years of experience (Principal) or at least six years of experience (Senior) working in primary design, preferably in New Zealand or Australia.
Alternatively, candidates may demonstrate suitable experience from an equivalent utility sector overseas.
Previous experience in a design consultancy is also an advantage.
Responsibilities:
The technical activities carried out by the Primary Design Engineer are likely to include:
- Acting as the lead designer for primary aspects of a huge variety of projects
- Liaising with civil/structural resources, suppliers and subcontractors, to deliver the design required for our extensive range of clients
- Travelling to meet suppliers, customers and colleagues
- Negotiating project scope, product and technical solution requirements with customers
- Providing technical guidance to colleagues, junior engineers and other teams
- Attending conferences and seminars, to network and keep up to date with the latest developments in the sector
- Liaising with internal and external customers
- Working to tight timescales, as part of a high-performing team
- Arranging process meetings
- Rewriting or modifying processes, to ensure that all aspects of the service run smoothly and to schedule
- Technical writing and authoring of comprehensive reports for a variety of audiences and topics, including technical solutions, strategic papers, concept/detailed design reports, technical roadmaps, asset plans and briefing papers
The commercial aspects of the work involve:
- Managing projects and attending regular meetings, to discuss the best way to move projects forward
- Taking financial and commercial ownership of all project aspects allocated to you
- Participating in conference calls and meetings, to discuss products, action plans and team performance
- Attending briefings on new networks and new products
- Managing resources, including budgets, physical resources and project members
- Preparing high-quality written reports and presentations, for management and customer review
- Identifying business development opportunities and assisting in tendering, quoting and customer development
- Ensuring that projects are delivered on time, within budget and to agreed standards of quality
Key Skills and Personal Qualities:
You will need to show:
- Technical ability and knowledge
- An excellent understanding of primary electrical design
- Organisational skills
- Adaptability and the ability to learn new skills quickly
- Good presentation and communication skills
- Skilled technical authoring and a good aptitude for report writing
- The ability to work efficiently and effectively with minimal supervision
- The capability to concentrate under pressure, to meet tight deadlines
- Analytical and problem-solving skills
- Business/commercial awareness
- The ability to work well within a team and individually
- The ability to innovate and identify both business and technical opportunities, while carrying out day-to-day duties
- Excellent project and people management skills.
3. Senior Protection and Secondary Design Engineer
The Senior Protection and Secondary Design Engineer shall demonstrate experience and sound judgement, in both commercial and technical responsibilities.
The technical aspect of the role includes using specialist knowledge to design and deliver solutions and providing technical guidance to others.
Commercial responsibilities involve quoting, planning and managing projects, ensuring that they are delivered on time, within budget and to the agreed standards of quality.
Required Experience:
Candidates shall have at least six years of experience working in protection and secondary systems design, preferably in New Zealand or Australia.
Alternatively, candidates may demonstrate suitable experience from an equivalent utility sector overseas.
Previous experience in a design consultancy and/or New Zealand distribution company is also an advantage.
Responsibilities:
The technical activities carried out by the Protection and Secondary Design Engineer are likely to include:
- Travelling to meet suppliers, customers and colleagues, based in other offices
- Negotiating project scope, product and technical solution requirements with customers
- Providing technical guidance to colleagues and other teams
- Attending conferences and seminars, to network and keep up to date with the latest developments in the sector
- Liaising with internal and external customers
- Analysing and interpreting data, to refine and improve power systems performance
- Working to tight timescales, as part of a high-performing team
- Arranging process meeting
- Rewriting or modifying processes, to ensure that all aspects of the service run smoothly and to schedule
- Technical writing and authoring of comprehensive reports, for a variety of audiences and topics, including technical solutions, strategic papers, concept/detailed design reports, technical roadmaps, asset plans and briefing papers
The commercial aspects of the work involve:
- Managing projects and attending regular meetings, to discuss the best way to move projects forward
- Participating in conference calls and meetings, to discuss products, action plans and team performance
- Attending briefings on new networks and new products
- Managing resources, including budgets, physical resources and project members
- Preparing high-quality written reports and presentations, for management and customer review
- Identifying business development opportunities and assisting in tendering, quoting and customer development
- Ensuring that projects are delivered on time, within budget and to agreed standards of quality
Key Skills and Personal Qualities:
You will need to show:
- Technical ability and knowledge
- A very good understanding of protection and secondary design
- Organisational skills
- Adaptability and the ability to learn new skills quickly
- Good presentation and communication skills
- Skilled technical authoring and a good aptitude for report writing
- The ability to work efficiently and effectively with minimal supervision
- The capability to concentrate under pressure, to meet tight deadlines
- Analytical and problem-solving skills
- Business/commercial awareness
- The ability to work well within a team and individually
- The ability to innovate and identify both business and technical opportunities, while carrying out day-to-day duties
- Excellent project and people management skills
4. Power System Analysis (PSA) Engineer
The Power System Analysis (PSA) Engineer shall assist with analysis work underpinning generator connections. The role includes but is not limited to the following tasks:
- Project evaluation, scoping, specification and quoting
- Engineering of solutions for generation aspects of the power system
- Modelling and analysis of the power system, with knowledge of the following techniques:
- Load-flow and short circuit assessment
- Analytic techniques, including PV and QV analysis, for determination of power system limits
- Dynamic RMS simulations, for transient and voltage stability
- Generator control systems modelling, including AVR, PSS, OEL, UEL and speed governors
- Knowledge of scripting techniques (for instance, Python), within industry standard tools, such as PSS/E and PowerFactory, would be an advantage
- Experience in the use of Siemens PSS/E and DIgSILENT PowerFactory, to undertake system studies, would be highly advantageous
- Communicating results and solutions to our clients
Work experience:
Candidates shall have at least five years’ experience working in the power systems sector, preferably in New Zealand or Australia.
Alternatively, candidates may demonstrate suitable experience from an equivalent utility sector overseas.
Responsibilities:
The technical activities carried out by the Power Systems Analysis Engineer are likely to include:
- Travelling to meet suppliers, customers and colleagues, based in other offices around New Zealand and Australia
- Providing technical guidance to colleagues and other teams
- Liaising with internal and external customers
- Analysing and interpreting data, to refine and improve power systems performance
- Working to tight timescales, as part of a high-performing team
- Technical writing and authoring of comprehensive reports in English, for a variety of audiences and topics, including technical solutions, strategic papers, and concept/detailed design reports.
The management aspects of the work involve:
- Managing projects and attending regular meetings, to discuss the best way to move projects forward
- Participating in conference calls and meetings, to discuss products, action plans and team performance
- Managing resources, including budgets, physical resources and project members;
- Identifying business development opportunities and assisting in tendering, quoting and customer development
- Ensuring that projects are delivered on time, within budget and to agreed standards of quality
Key Skills and Personal Qualities:
You will need to show:
- Technical ability and knowledge
- A good understanding of power systems analysis techniques, using a range of industry-standard tools
- Experience with power system analysis tools, such as DIgSILENT PowerFactory and PSS/E
- Organisational skills
- Adaptability and the ability to learn new skills quickly
- Good presentation and communication skills
- Skilled technical authoring and a good aptitude for report writing
- The ability to work efficiently and effectively, with minimal supervision
- The capability to concentrate under pressure, to meet tight deadlines
- Analytical and problem-solving skills
- Business/commercial awareness
- The ability to work well within a team and individually
- An ability to innovate and identify both business and technical opportunities, while carrying out day-to-day duties
5. Senior Power System Analysis (PSA) Engineer
The Senior Power System Analysis Engineer role includes but is not limited to the following tasks:
- Project evaluation, scoping, specification and quoting
- Engineering of solutions for generation aspects of the power system
- Modelling and analysis of the power system, with knowledge of the following techniques:
- Load-flow and short circuit assessment
- Analytic techniques, including PV and QV analysis, for determination of power system limits
- Dynamic RMS simulations, for transient and voltage stability
- Generator control systems modelling, including AVR, PSS, OEL, UEL and speed governors
- Knowledge of scripting techniques (for instance, Python), within industry standard tools, such as PSS/E and PowerFactory, would be an advantage
- Experience in the use of Siemens PSS/E and DIgSILENT PowerFactory, to undertake system studies, would be highly advantageous
- Communicating results and solutions to our clients
Work experience:
Candidates shall have at least six years of experience working in the power systems sector, preferably in New Zealand or Australia.
Alternatively, candidates may demonstrate suitable experience from an equivalent utility sector overseas.
Responsibilities:
The technical activities carried out by the Senior Power Systems Analysis Engineer are likely to include:
- Travelling to meet suppliers, customers and colleagues, based in other offices around New Zealand and Australia
- Providing technical guidance to colleagues and other teams
- Liaising with internal and external customers
- Analysing and interpreting data, to refine and improve power systems performance
- Working to tight timescales, as part of a high-performing team
- Technical writing and authoring of comprehensive reports in English, for a variety of audiences and topics, including technical solutions, strategic papers, concept/detailed design reports
The management aspects of the work involve:
- Managing projects and attending regular meetings, to discuss the best way to move projects forward
- Participating in conference calls and meetings, to discuss products, action plans and team performance
- Managing resources, including budgets, physical resources and project members
- Identifying business development opportunities and assisting in tendering, quoting and customer development
- Ensuring that projects are delivered on time, within budget and to agreed standards of quality
Key Skills and Personal Qualities:
You will need to show:
- Expert level knowledge of PSS/E and PSCAD software tools, including advanced automation techniques using Python
- In-depth knowledge of the Australian National Electricity Rules (NER) S5.2.5
- Prior experience with generator connection studies in the National Electricity Market (NEM), including preparation of documentation
- Technical ability and knowledge
- A good understanding of power systems analysis techniques, using a range of industry-standard tools
- Experience with power system analysis tools, such as DIgSILENT and PowerFactory
- Organisational skills
- Adaptability and the ability to learn new skills quickly
- Good presentation and communication skills
- Skilled technical authoring and a good aptitude for report writing
- The ability to work efficiently and effectively, with minimal supervision
- The capability to concentrate under pressure, to meet tight deadlines
- Analytical and problem-solving skills
- Business/commercial awareness
- The ability to work well within a team and individually
- An ability to innovate and identify both business and technical opportunities, while carrying out day-to-day duties
Don’t forget to book your consultation call!
To learn more and to find out if you qualify for a New Zealand work visa, book a consultation call with our licensed advisor.
Please use the I have a job offer for New Zealand – Consultation option on her Calendly.
Our advisor will assess your eligibility to apply for a New Zealand work visa, talk you through your visa options, and explain how the process works. Our consultation calls are 30 minutes, and it’s a once-off 49€ fee.
Our team looks forward to hearing from you!
- Published in Latest posts, News, Work Visas for New Zealand, Working in New Zealand
Immigration News: July 2022
The wait is finally over – at 11.59pm on 31 July, New Zealand fully reopens to travellers! Student visa applications are also reopening at the same time.
Continue reading to learn more about these and other changes happening in July.
Visitor visa applications reopen!
From 11.59 pm on 31 July (NZST), applications for Visitor Visas will reopen.
Except for New Zealand and Australian citizens, all travellers to New Zealand will need a visa or New Zealand Electronic Authority (NZeTA) to enter the country.
Fee increases for group visitor visas
When visitor visa applications reopen, group visitor fees will increase:
- Approved Destination Status (China) will be NZ$90 per person, up from NZ$45
- Other group visitor visas will be NZ$110, up from NZ$65
Student visa applications also reopen!
Student visa applications reopen at the same time as visitor visa applications. New Zealand is ready to rebuild its high-value international education sector!
Fees and levies increase for student visas
Immigration New Zealand is introducing increases in immigration fees and levies for student visas. The cost for a student visa will be:
- NZ$375 for Band A (New Zealand)
- NZ$315 for Band B (Pacific)
- NZ$395 for Band C (Rest of World)
The amount students need for living costs while in New Zealand will also increase to:
- NZ$20,000 for a year of tertiary education, English language students and other non-compulsory education
- NZ$17,000 a year for students in compulsory education (Years 1 to 13 at a school)
- NZ$5,000 for applicants for post-study work visas.
The 2021 Resident Visa category is closing
New Zealand created the 2021 Resident Visa in September last year to “recognise the contribution migrants made during COVID-19”.
The 2021 Resident visa was a one-off, simplified pathway, primarily for migrants already in New Zealand but for some who still had to immigrate, too.
The deadline for applications is now fast approaching. Immigration New Zealand will stop accepting new applications for the 2021 Resident Visa at 11:59 pm on 31 July (NZST).
Skilled migrants eligible for a 2021 Resident Visa are encouraged to submit their applications before the closing date.
Stay up to date with the latest news from New Zealand
Keep up to date on future announcements from Immigration New Zealand by following us on Facebook or LinkedIn. We post news as it happens!
- Published in Latest posts, News, Work Visas for New Zealand
New Accredited Employer Work Visa goes into effect on 4 July 2022
New Zealand is introducing the new Accredited Employer Work Visa on 4 July 2022.
With this visa, Immigration New Zealand is streamlining the immigration process while also addressing skills shortages in the country.
Here’s everything you should know:
1. The Accredited Employer Work Visa streamlines the immigration system
New Zealand is excited about its “rebalanced immigration system” that’ll incentivise and attract highly skilled migrants while simplifying the immigration processes for businesses.
At the centre of this rebalanced immigration system is the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV). The AEWV streamlines the system by replacing six work visas that were previously available:
- Essential Skills Work Visa
- Essential Skills Work Visa — Approved in principle
- Talent (Accredited Employer) Work Visa,
- Long Term Skill Shortage List Work Visa
- Silver Fern Job Search Visa (closed to new applications on 7 October 2019)
- Silver Fern Practical Experience Visa
There is no need to panic if you live and work in New Zealand on any of these visas. You can continue doing so until your visa expires or you no longer meet its conditions.
If you want to live and work in New Zealand after your visa expires, you may apply for the AEWV if you meet the requirements. If you don’t, you’ll have to explore other visa options.
2. There is a new Green List of occupations under the AEWV
Immigration New Zealand has issued a new skills shortage list called the Green List with 85 hard-to-fill roles in critical sectors of New Zealand’s economy.
You don’t have to work in a Green List occupation to apply for an AEWV, but it does offer three distinct advantages:
2.1. The Green List offers a fast track to residence
Migrants who qualify can come to New Zealand on an AEWV and apply for residence from September 2022.
Occupations on the Green List that offer a fast track to residence are in the following sectors:
- Construction
- Engineering
- Health and social services
- Primary industries and sciences
- ICT, electronics, and telecommunications
2.2. The Green List also offers a work-to-residence pathway
The Green List offers a work-to-residence pathway to skilled workers with occupations in:
- Health and social services
- Trades
- Agriculture
AEWV holders who qualify for work-to-residence cannot apply for residency immediately but can do so after two years of working in New Zealand.
2.3. PLUS, employers hiring for Green List occupations don’t have to advertise for the job check
New Zealand employers who want to hire a migrant on an AEWV in an occupation on the Green List do not have to advertise for the job check. The proviso is that the criteria for the role must at least match the occupation’s minimum requirements as it appears on the Green List.
3. The AEWV is valid for up to three years, and you must earn at least the median wage
You’ll get a visa valid for the duration of your employment, up to a maximum of three years, if your application for an AEWV is successful. To get the visa, you must earn at least the New Zealand median wage of NZ$27.76.
However, applicants from specific sectors, including construction and infrastructure, tourism and hospitality and the aged care sector, will be exempt from the minimum salary requirement.
Immigration New Zealand will issue two-year work visas for these exception categories instead.
After holding the visa for two years, migrants will have to spend 12 consecutive months outside of New Zealand before being allowed to apply for another AEWV.
4. Most dependent spouses or partners must apply for an AEWV in their own right to work in New Zealand
Your dependent spouse or partner will get a visitor visa to enter New Zealand. Most spouses and partners who then want to work in New Zealand must apply for an AEWV in their own right. These applications open from December 2022.
5. There are three steps to the AEWV process
To hire workers from overseas under the AEWV, New Zealand employers must have accreditation and pass a job check unless it’s an occupation on the Green List.
The job check is in place to ensure there aren’t suitable New Zealanders to fill the role that the employer is advertising.
Without accreditation and a job check, the employer can’t hire from overseas, and you can’t apply for an AEWV.
The three steps to the AEWV are thus as follows:
- The employer applies for accreditation, and Immigration New Zealand checks their credentials
- The job check, which is the assessment of the job details and any job advertising
- Your AEWV application, during which Immigration New Zealand assesses your credentials
Employer accreditation opened on 23 May, and Immigration New Zealand (INZ) estimated it would take 10 working days to process accreditation applications. Job check applications open on 20 June, and INZ expects to process those applications in 10 working days.
Contact us if you need help applying for an AEWV
There will surely be a rush of applications for the Accredited Employer Work Visa as soon as it opens on the 4th of July.
While Immigration New Zealand has said that it’ll process applications within 30 days, there is no telling if it’ll be possible to stick to this timeline.
Our advice to you is thus to submit your application as soon as possible! You can get started by booking an obligation-free consultation call with our licensed advisor to determine if you qualify for the AEWV.
- Published in Latest posts, News, Work Visas for New Zealand, Working in New Zealand
Immigration News: May 2022
On 11 May 2022, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced New Zealand would reopen to all tourists and visa holders at 11:59 pm on 31 July 2022. That is two months sooner than initially planned!
The announcement also included details of the New Zealand Government’s “rebalanced immigration system” to address the country’s immediate skill shortages and speed up the economic recovery from COVID-19.
1. New Zealand fully reopens on 1 August!
New Zealand closed its borders to the world in 2020 and started to gradually reopen to different visa and visitor categories earlier this year.
On the 1st of August or 11:59 pm on 31 July, New Zealand is finally reopening completely for all visitors and visa holders!
Prime Minister Ardern rightly said that this announcement is welcome news for families, businesses and New Zealand’s migrant communities.
Tourism Minister Stuart Nash added that bringing the final border opening date forward allows New Zealand to fully reconnect to the world in time for the country’s traditional peak visitor season.
“Our wider tourism sector is on the way to recovery. We will be fully open to the world in mid-winter, traditionally our quietest period for visitors. Bringing forward the date allows prospective travellers to apply for visitor visas well ahead of time before taking the next step to book a flight or a cruise for future travel,” Minister Nash said.
2. Change ahead for international students once New Zealand reopens
Education Minister Chris Hipkins said the full reopening of the border is a significant milestone for the educational sector, which can now start to rebuild sustainably. The focus was on volume in the past, but that will change with the focus shifting to value.
To facilitate this shift, Immigration New Zealand will implement these changes:
- Students in non-degree level courses will not get post-study work rights except where they are studying and working in specified shortages and skilled occupations.
- For degree-level and other eligible international students, the length of time they can work after their students will mirror the time they study in New Zealand. Masters and PhD students will retain the right to work in New Zealand for up to three years after their studies.
- Students will also not be able to apply for a second post-study visa in New Zealand.
3. Simplified immigration processes and a new occupation list to benefit skilled migrants and employers
The New Zealand Government has announced a “rebalanced immigration system” that’ll incentivise and attract highly-skilled migrants and simplify immigration processes for businesses.
The cornerstone of this rebalanced immigration is the new Green List that features 85 hard-to-fill roles in construction, engineering, trades, healthcare and tech.
The other key component is the new Accredited Employer Work Visa that comes into effect on 4 July 2022.
“Through the Accredited Employer Work Visa, employers won’t need to provide as much information, can use their own recruitment processes to prove no New Zealanders are available for work, and Immigration New Zealand will endeavour to have these visas processed within 30 days once an employer is accredited,” Prime Minister Ardern said.
One of the critical requirements of the Accredited Employer Work Visa will be that the visa applicant earns at least the median wage. The current median wage is NZD27.76 an hour, and it’s updated once a year.
The wage requirement does affect some industries more than others, but the New Zealand Government is working closely with those sectors to assist with the transition.
Individual workers are also affected, but Minister of Immigration Kris Faafoi announced that the Government would extend the visas of around 20,000 visa holders already in the country to ensure skilled workers stay in New Zealand. This extension will be specifically for visa holders with visas expiring before 2023. They’ll either get a six-month extension or a new two-year visa with open work conditions.
Stay up to date with the latest news from New Zealand
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- Published in Latest posts, News, Work Visas for New Zealand, Working in New Zealand
Immigration news: June 2021
Immigration New Zealand is continuously amending their visa regulations to help the country bounce back from the economic effects of COVID-19. This month’s changes affect Essential Skill visa holders, dairy farm workers and three short-term work visas.
Changes to Essential Skills visa
Immigration New Zealand has announced three changes to the Essential Skills visa category:
- INZ has increased the duration of new Essential Skills visas for those who are paid below the median wage from 6 months to 12 months. This change applies to all Essential Skills visas granted on or after 10 June 2021.
- From 19 July, Essential Skills visa applications will be assessed using the median hourly wage of NZ$27, in line with the 2020 Statistics New Zealand median wage. This is an annual adjustment, and it’s an increase from the current rate of NZ$25.50.
- The stand-down period for Essential Skills visa holders who are paid below the median wage will be further postponed until July 2022. This stand-down period requires visa holders to leave New Zealand for 12 months after three years before applying for another lower-paid Essential Skills visa.
Border exception for dairy farm managers, dairy farm assistants and veterinarians
Immigration New Zealand is introducing a border exception for up to 150 dairy herd managers, up to 50 dairy farm assistants and up to 50 veterinarians to assist with the upcoming calving season.
“It is clear from conversations with the dairy and veterinarian sectors that they are facing workforce pressures. These border exceptions will go a long way towards relieving those pressures,” Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor said.
To apply for the exception, you must meet the following criteria:
- Assistant Dairy Farm Managers
- who earn above $92,000 per year, and
- have 2-4 years of relevant work experience, and
- will enter New Zealand before April 2022.
- Dairy Herd Managers
- who earn above $79,500 per year, and
- have 2-4 years of relevant work experience, and
- will enter New Zealand before April 2022.
- Dairy Farm Assistants
- who earn at or above the median wage per year, and
- will fill roles in regions with acute shortages, and
- are entering New Zealand to support the 2021/22 season, and
- will enter New Zealand before April 2022.
- Veterinarians
- who earn at or above NZD85,000 per year,
- with 3 to 5 years of experience across key roles in both urban and rural veterinary settings, and
- the necessary qualifications and experience to get licensed and registered with the Veterinary Council of New Zealand.
Extensions for three short-term work visas
INZ has extended the validity of Working Holiday visas and Supplementary Seasonal Employer work visas. INZ is also granting Pacific Recognised Seasonal Employer workers longer stays.
Working Holiday visas
Working Holiday visas that are expiring between 21 June 2021 and 31 December 2021 have been extended a further six months. To qualify for the extension, visa holders must have been in New Zealand on 14 June 2021.
This extension is already legally in effect, and INZ will update visa records in July. Visa holders can use the confirmation email from INZ as proof of their right to work when engaging with prospective employers.
Supplementary Seasonal Employer (SSE) work visas
Supplementary Seasonal Employer (SSE) work visas expiring between 30 June 2021 and 31 December 2021 have been extended for six months.
The extended SSE visas now have open work rights allowing them to work in any sector.
Immigration New Zealand will contact visa holders to confirm their extension. The visa extensions are however already legally in effect, and INZ will update visa records in July.
Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) visa
If you are a Pacific RSE worker who came to New Zealand through the border exception you can apply for a new visa and will be able to stay beyond the normal maximum period.
Stay up to date with the latest news from New Zealand
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- Published in Latest posts, News, Work Visas for New Zealand, Working in New Zealand
Latest NZ work visa news: January 2021
Immigration New Zealand has made a couple of announcements that affect Employer-assisted Visas, Essential Skills Visas and Working Holiday Visas. Get all the details below.
1. Employer-assisted visas expiring from 1 January 2021 to 30 June 2021 will automatically receive a 6-month extension
Employer-assisted visa holders whose visas are going to expire between 1 January and 30 June are sure to welcome the news of extensions for a further 6 months. This extension applies to the following visas:
- Essential Skills Visa
- Work to Residence Visa
- Special and Skilled work visas for China, Indonesia, South Korea, Philippines and Vietnam
- Special category work visas for Japanese interpreters and Thai chefs
- Employer-specific work visas granted under section 61 of the Immigration Act 2009
- Fishing Crew Visa
- Religious Worker Visa
- Silver Fern Practical Experience Visa
INZ is also going to extend the visas held by the partners and dependent children of eligible visa holders. All visa holders will get confirmation of the extension from Immigration New Zealand by March 2021.
2. Lower-pad Essential Skills Visa stand-down delayed for 12 months
The introduction of the stand-down period that was announced in July 2020 will be delayed until January 2022.
The stand-down period means that Essential Skills visa holders earning less than the median wage must leave New Zealand after three years for one year before they can return.
3. Working Holiday Visas extended by 6 months
Working Holiday Visas that expire from 21 December 2020 to 30 June 2021 will get a 6-month extension.
INZ will apply varied conditions to allow Working Holiday visa holders to continue in any employment that is not permanent in any sector until the expiry date of their visas. Furthermore, a time limit on total work for one employer will no longer apply.
Working Holiday Visa holders who are eligible for this extension will no longer be transferred to the Supplementary Seasonal Employment (SSE) work visa when their visa expires.
Migrant workers who are already on an SSE Visa can continue to work in the horticulture and viticulture sectors, or apply for an Essential Skills Visa if they find alternative qualifying work.
INZ is making this allowance because New Zealand is facing labour shortages across many industries at the moment.
4. 2019 Median wage in effect until July 2021
Immigration New Zealand will continue to use the 2019 median wage of NZ$25,50 an hour to determine conditions until at least July 2021, at which point the median wage will raise to NZ$27 an hour.
Please note…
Immigration New Zealand has advised that any migrants who are unable to meet the conditions of their current visa, including migrants who have lost their jobs, should make arrangements to depart New Zealand or apply for a new visa that best suits their circumstances. This may include applying for a Variation of Conditions.
- Published in Latest posts, News, Work Visas for New Zealand
No EOI selections for residence under the Skilled Migrant and Parent categories for another 6 months
Immigration New Zealand announced on Monday, 19 October, that it’s deferring the fortnightly selection of Expressions of Interest under the Skilled Migrant and Parent categories for a further 6 months. The decision to defer this process was first made back in April due to the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The New Zealand Government has said that the continued deferral will give INZ the space to focus on processing applications from people who are in New Zealand or people who are eligible to travel while border restrictions are in place.
Can migrants still submit Expressions of Interest?
This is what Intergate Emigration’s licensed advisors had to say when we asked them this question:
“The Expression of Interest for the Parent category is a hard copy that’s couriered to New Zealand, so while EOI selection is closed, migrants are going to be unable to submit EOIs. Applicants will have to wait for the EOI selection to reopen again.
Our advice to skilled migrant applicants would be to also wait for EOI selections to reopen again. EOIs from offshore applicants are only eligible for selection with 160 points and a job offer, so it won’t make sense to submit an EOI in the interim. The best plan of action would be to look at the temporary route first and to do an assessment to ensure that you qualify for the visa.”
Contact us if you’d like to explore other visa options
Do you have your heart set on living in New Zealand but you don’t want to wait for the EOI selections to open? Don’t hesitate to contact us to explore other visa options.
We would like to see you realise your dream of making New Zealand your home as much as you do!
- Published in Family Immigration, Latest posts, News, Work Visas for New Zealand