Very good news for work visa holders were released today. From 19 July, Essential Skills Visa holders paid below $27 per hour will be able to apply for a longer visa (24 months) to remain in their current role. The duration of Essential Skills visas for roles paid the median wage ($27 per hour) or above will still be up to three years.

Employers who are retaining migrant workers in the same roles will not have to prove there are no New Zealanders available. Employers will still need to undergo a labour market test for vacant roles or where your worker will change the region they work in.

Examples:

• Sam works as Carpenter for Extra Builders Limited. He earns $30 per hour. Sam can apply for a 3-year visa and Extra Builders Limited do not need to provide a labour market test.
• Extra Builders Limited want to hire Bob as Tiler paying $25 per hour. Bob works elsewhere at the moment. Bob can apply for a 2-years visa, but Extra Builders Limited will have to advertise the position and prove that there are no New Zealanders available.
• Jennifer works as Teller at the XYZ Bank. She earns $22 per hour. She can apply for a 2-year visa and XYZ Bank does not need to provide a labour market test.

Applicants remaining in the same role will not need to include an employment agreement with their new Essential Skills visa application. Applicants will not be required to provide medical and police certificates, if these were previously supplied with a visa application.

Examples:

• When Sam applies for a work visa as Carpenter for Extra Builders Limited, he would not need to provide his employment agreement, medicals and police clearance because he currently works in the same position with the same employer.

• When Bob applies for a work visa as Tiler for , he would need to follow the normal process providing employment agreement, job description, medical and police clearances.
• When Jennifer applies for a work visa as Teller for XYZ Bank, she would not need to provide her employment agreement, medicals and police clearance because he currently works in the same position with the same employer.

From 19 July 2021 until 28 August 2021, applicants need to apply using a paper-based form on the INZ website. From 30 August 2021 applicants will be able to apply online instead.