New Zealand reopens resident visas
WELLINGTON: The New Zealand government announced the reopening of two categories of resident visas amid a global labor shortage.
The current Skilled Migrant category has been resumed to help attract more workers. Applications for this category stopped when the COVID-19 outbreak began more than two years ago.
Meanwhile, access to the Parent Category Visa is also reopened to increase the number of resident parent visas approved each year, in addition to lowering the income limit. This category was discontinued in 2016.
Skilled Migrant Category residence visas provide a pathway to retain the majority of much-needed skilled workers in New Zealand, Immigration Minister Michael Wood said in a speech in Auckland, Xinhua reported.
The proposed changes, including a simpler points system, would set clear, fair and transparent eligibility limits and offer several ways for people to demonstrate their skill levels, Wood said.
The new system will improve processing times and there will be no limit on the number of people who can get residency status each year if they meet skill levels, the minister said.
The reopening of the Parent Category Visa will mean more reunification of family members, Wood said, adding that the number of annual visas will also increase to 2,500 a year.
source – BERNAMA
