New Zealand may as well be called a land of opportunities with the forecast of continual growth in employment. According to the latest labour market statistics released by Statistics New Zealand, employment, wage and labour force participation growth remain strong. In fact, in the past quarter alone, the employment rate rose to 66.9 percent, a full 2 points increase from the previous year. Salary and wage rates also went up in both private and public sectors. What’s even better is that there are plenty of job offers across all industries that could easily become viable career paths.

If you think it’s time to move onto greener pastures, the first step is to get a New Zealand work visa.

Thriving Industries

Before you get started on your application process, however, see if some of your skills are on the list of skill shortages in New Zealand. This can guarantee to fast track your employment since businesses in all sectors will be actively scouting for workers. Some industries that have both long term and immediate shortages include Agriculture and Forestry, Construction, Engineering, Health and Social Services, Recreational, Hospitality and Tourism, Science and Trades.

Work Visas

There are more than just one type of work visa available for immigrants, but most are given Essential Skills work visas. These are only temporary. To grant you entry into the country, and the duration of your visa will depend largely on the terms of your job offer or the labour market conditions.

If you are set on living permanently in New Zealand and you qualify for a Residence from Work visa, you should be aware of some key changes in the process. The Skilled Migrant Category recently implemented new changes that have somewhat made it harder for migrants to qualify. Immigration New Zealand now requires 160 points or more for an Expression of Interest (EOI) for a sure shot at being considered for residency. If you meet initial requirements, you have two options to gain residence.

The first path is through Accredited Employers that have been pre-approved to hire skilled or talented workers from overseas. Upgrading your temporary visa will require you to prove that you have been employed full-time by an Accredited Employer for at least two years, are currently employed and have a base salary of at least NZ$55,000 per year.

The second option is to get an offer for a job on the Long Term Skill Shortage List. You can be in a position to upgrade to a work to residence visa provided that you have held that visa for at least two years and were employed full-time during that time. You must also have a salary of at least NZ$45,000 yearly and be aged 55 or below.

A licensed immigration consultant from companies such as Auckland South Immigration Consultants Limited can guide you through the process. Email atesh@asic.co.nz.

Sources:

Residence from Work Category, New Zealand Now
Job Market & Key Industries, New Zealand Now
Job Opportunities Rise in New Zealand as Unemployment Falls, ExpatForum.com

Forecasts for New Zealand’s economy are quite promising for immigrants looking for employment, particularly in the Auckland region. According to an Infometrics Regional Perspectives report, nearly 85,000 new jobs are expected to be created in Auckland over the next four years. At the same time, other parts of the country such as Northland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Nelson, Tasman, Marlborough and Otago are projected to experience significant job growth as well.

Data indicates that the continued employment growth is influenced by the 40-year high population increase in the country. A bigger and aging population consequently requires more able workers in residential subdivisions, roading, water and wastewater networks, as well as other infrastructure. As a result, employment in industries like civil engineering, health care, and social assistance go up.

This means an increase in job prospects that can become stable careers in the near future for immigrants. Applicants must first look up skill shortage lists that are modified based on which occupations employers and unions find it difficult to recruit for. Since New Zealand strongly values workers that can fill positions where specific skills are required, immigration is more likely to grant them a visa. A skilled migrant visa, for example, is often granted to a worker with skills found on the Essential Skills in Demand Lists complied by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.

The Skilled Migrant Category is a points based system that requires the applicant to send an Expression of Interest (EOI). The EOI is what will be used to assess your work experience, qualifications and ability to settle in New Zealand. Currently, people who are 55 years old or under, and with EOIs of 160 points or above are being selected for skilled migrant visas. The good news, however, is that if you qualify, you can be on a pathway to living in New Zealand. Starting from an Essential Skills visa, you can apply for an Accredited Employer Work visa or a Long Term Skill Shortage List Work visa then finally, upgrade to a Work to Residence visa.

Under the Accredited Employer category, an accredited employer must offer you full-time work for at least 30 months. This is a viable option for people who are under 55 and don’t need to bring a partner or dependent children into the country. After two years of working for an accredited employer in a job that earns at least NZ$55,000 per year, you will be eligible to apply to live in New Zealand permanently.

For those who are interested in taking the Long Term Skill Shortage route, employment conditions will largely depend on the specific occupation indicated on the skill shortage list. You will be assigned to a specific employer and location for up to 30 months. After which, you can also apply for a visa under the Residence to Work category.

New Zealand is an excellent place to build career, especially for those who have valuable skills in the country’s thriving industries. Discuss your options with a licensed immigration adviser from reputable companies like Auckland South Immigration Consultants today. Email atesh@asic.co.nz now to initiate a discussion

Sources:

85,000 New Jobs for Auckland, Infometrics.co.nz

Skill Shortage, Immigration.govt.nz

Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa, Immigration.govt.nz