New Zealand has released details of potential employment and permanent residency opportunities for foreign skilled workers under the Accredited Employer Work Visa program.
According to the Bureau of Immigration and Overseas Employment, applicants under this visa can work for a minimum of 30 hours a week for an accredited New Zealand employer.
Depending on the nature of the job, skill level and salary, the visa holder may be allowed to stay in New Zealand for up to 5 years, while in some cases this visa can also pave the way for permanent residency.
According to officials, to obtain a visa, the candidate must have a genuine and full-time job offer from an approved employer.
The job offer must be based on a salary according to the current market rate and an approved “job check” has also been completed.
The New Zealand Immigration Authority has warned that no employer or their representative can charge a fee to a worker in exchange for a job, nor can recruitment costs be passed on to the candidate.
Applicants for the visa will need at least two years of relevant experience or a qualification at level four or higher on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework.
Candidates will have to provide references, employment certificates, payslips or tax documents as evidence of experience, while a CV or resume alone will not be considered sufficient.
In addition, professional registration will also be required for certain professions, as well as those working in certain low-skilled sectors will also have to provide proof of English language proficiency.
According to immigration officials, applicants must be of good health and character, which may require a police clearance certificate and in some cases a medical examination or chest X-ray.
The application process begins when an approved employer provides the candidate with a job offer, employment contract and a specific “job token” for the online application.
The candidate then submits an online application by uploading the required documents and paying the prescribed fee, which starts at around NZ$1,540.
According to immigration authorities, 80% of applications are decided within about 6 weeks, with an electronic visa (e-visa) issued to the applicant if approved.
Authorities have made it clear that employers must obtain formal accreditation and complete a job check process before hiring foreign workers, which sometimes includes advertising the job locally.
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