New Zealand Tightens Worker Visas Over ‘Unsustainable’ Migration
- Changes made to Accredited Employer Worker Visa program
- Spotlight has fallen on inflationary impact of worker influx
While the central bank recently softened the threat of another interest-rate hike, it has previously warned that the population jump might add to inflation due to extra demand for houses and rental accommodation.
Photographer: Mark Coote/BloombergThis article is for subscribers only.
New Zealand’s government made immediate changes to an employment visa program, citing “unsustainable” net migration and flagging further potential changes.
The alterations include introducing an English-language requirement and reducing the maximum continuous stay for a range of lower-skilled roles for the Accredited Employer Worker Visa, according to a statement issued Sunday. Minimum skill and work experience criteria will apply to most jobs covered by the program.