Employer-assisted work visas extended by six months

Immigration New Zealand have announced that all “employer-assisted” work visas expiring from 1 January 2021 to 30 June 2021 (inclusive) will be automatically extended by another six months.

This applies to most employer-assisted visas, but the following may be relevant to your organisation:

• Essential Skills Work Visa;
• Work to Residence Work Visa (i.e. Talent / Accredited Employer / LTSSL policy work visas).

Visas held by their partners and dependent children will also be extended.

Notification of the extensions will come via email (like they did last time), and Immigration New Zealand have suggested that they will receive the notification confirmations by March 2021.

Working Holiday Visas that expire from 21 December 2020 to 30 June 2021 (inclusive) will be extended for six months. Conditions will be varied to allow the holders to continue in any employment that is not permanent in any sector until their visa expires. Any time limit on total work for one employer will no longer apply.

Immigration New Zealand have announced that they will continue to use the 2019 median wage of $25.50 to determine visa conditions until at least July 2021, at which point it may rise to $27 an hour. 

There have been so many changes to Immigration policy in the last few months, it has been challenging keeping up. We hear from so many employers who have questions on what their obligations are, how they can help their employees understand and navigate the changes to policy and most importantly how they will be able to employ visa holders in the future.

Our team are here to help – please contact Caren Donald, Immigration Manager or our Immigration team.