Anticipated changes to New Zealand immigration policy
According to Statistics New Zealand’s International Travel and Migration study, more than 80,000 New Zealander’s left the country either permanently or for the long term in the past year. That figure is the equivalent of more than 1500 departures each week.
In a major effort to retain its own talent and to attract the best workers from overseas, New Zealand’s new National Government, led by Prime Minister John Key, has plans to implement changes to the country’s immigration policy.
In an Immigration Policy Paper released in September 2008, prior to the National party claiming power in Parliament, it stated, “Our policy measures will ensure New Zealand has an efficient, world-class immigration service that employers, potential immigrants, and all New Zealanders have confidence will act with integrity and produce the best outcomes for the widest range of interests in New Zealand.”
Why does the government want change?
The new government believes changes are necessary to better attract and retain highly skilled workers and investors to New Zealand. It has revealed three major objectives in its plan:
- Retain skilled Kiwi workers and attract overseas Kiwis back to New Zealand
- Better match the skills of immigrants with the employment needs of New Zealand’s economy
- Make New Zealand’s immigration services world-class in their efficiency and effectiveness
Through the initiative, the government aims to implement a ‘one-stop-shop approach’. All government agency requirements and paperwork will be simplified and, where possible, combined.
What will be achieved?
The new government intends to shift the emphasis away from the government itself choosing immigrant skills, to a process that allows employers a greater say in the high-level skills required by foreign workers or returning Kiwis.
Silver Fern Visa
As part of the new plans, a Silver Fern Visa should be introduced to offer highly skilled migrants a better and easier chance of migrating to New Zealand and securing residency. The Silver Fern Visa will help ensure that those who have obtained qualifications in New Zealand or have New Zealand-recognised qualifications have the opportunity to fill skills shortages in the country.
Other targets of the proposed policy changes include business immigrants and retired immigrants.
Business immigrants
“New Zealand can benefit significantly from international entrepreneurs bringing their skills, technology, capital, and international networks to our country,” says the National Party’s Immigration Policy Paper.
Under the proposed plan, the government will aim to set more realistic investment capital and English language requirements, require approvals to better match the experience of potential business immigrants with their proposed investment in New Zealand, and focus the success for long-term business visa holders seeking residence on job creation and export earnings.
Retired immigrants
It is believed that New Zealand stands to benefit from individuals of high net worth who seek to retire or spend a significant part of year in the country. The new government has announced its intention to establish a Retirement Visa at no cost to New Zealand taxpayers and to ensure that Retirement Visa holders indemnify New Zealand from any health, welfare or superannuation costs.
