Wrapping Up 2023

I think I say this every year, but I cannot believe how quickly the end of this year has arrived - and what a year it has been. There has been plenty going on in New Zealand over the last 12 months and there is potentially a lot more to come on the Visa front in 2024. With a new coalition Government in place, who have a vastly different view of the world, we are all shuffling towards the edge of our seats to see what might be announced (I dont expect it to be soon however).

We wind up the year with a bit of a recap and a look to the future. We also line up for more of our free immigration seminars in 2024 (the first one takes place in January) and we have a small (and very useful) gift available for our regular readers (more below or in the original email).

Changes…

2023 has been a year of changes, and not just with the NZ immigration system.

2023 - A Year of Change

2023 saw a number of changes occur with the Visa system, the more notable ones including a change to work rights for partners of Work Visa holders, removal of 90-day trial periods for AEWV applicants and INZ changing gear on processing - going from “light-touch” to heavy handed. We saw the previous Skilled Migrant Category being ushered out the door, with the last draw in August and then the new six-point system being introduced in October. We also had a last-minute change in Minister, and then again when the Government swapped sides in our national elections.

It has been a pretty interesting year for advisers, once again trying to stay ahead of the myriad of often small, but usually very important tweaks and adjustments being made to how our Visa system is delivered. For the most part however this year, whilst full of change, felt a little more settled than our post-covid, border reopening, big-bang. Having spoken to a lot of potential migrants throughout 2023, I think the most commonly requested item on their Christmas list is “stability”, knowing that when they start this process, they can finish it, under the same rules, with the same requirements.

I believe we are now in that space and whilst there will be more changes in 2024, I suspect they will be less “big-bang” and more “steady as she goes”. The new Government and its various players have suggested some new Visa pathways for parents, options for the tech-sector and pulling apart some previous changes to loosen things up a bit. This may not mean we invite a flood of people, but I think it will strip away some of the relatively silly rule changes that we have had rolled out over the last few years.

Immigration in 2024

As our new Government settles in, we are all eagerly awaiting their input to the Visa process.

What Will 2024 Bring?

In the run up to the election in October of 2023, two of three coalition parties’ did make a few noises on potential new Visa pathways. These included capped, special Visas for the tech sector, a long-term Visa for parents to spend time with their children and grandchildren in New Zealand and a raft of other Visa tweaks.

Possibly the key and hopefully quick change, will be to restore full work rights to the partners of Work Visa holders. A change was introduced in May of 2023, that meant, if you were the partner of someone in NZ on a Work Visa and wanted to join them, you could secure a Work Visa as well, but would have to earn the median wage and work for an Accredited employer. This was a departure from the previous conditions which allowed you to work for anyone, anywhere. Returning that Visa to it’s original condition would make a welcome change.

There is also talk of removing the median wage requirement for the Skilled Migrant Category, which would be welcome news, although I suspect that might have to be offset with some other form of base-line criteria for skill or earnings. It will be interesting to see if the salary requirements are removed or adjusted for other categories as well (something we discussed in last weeks blog).

Along with the above, there is the potential for the Work Visa system to be overhauled again, adjustments for Students to fast-track applications and improve work rights as well as revisions to a host of other Visa options. The messages were not exactly full of detail, but they suggest a “tidying up” of some of the rather strange restrictive adjustments that have been made over the last three years.

Of course all of this will have to work within a changing economic environment and there has already been media speculation just this week as to whether our current inflow of migrants is sustainable. Of course when it comes to numbers, the media often misinterpret “migrants” with those coming here to study or visit for a fixed term.

There is no doubt that 2024 will see more changes being rolled out, but from all the signals we have seen thus far, it would appear that those changes will have little to no impact on skilled, employable people looking to make the move. We will obviously be keeping a close, watchful eye on these changes and reporting them here.

Will You Make The Move?

If you have been waiting for things to change, you might be waiting a lot longer…

Is 2024 Your Year?

I have no doubt that there are plenty of people who have been carefully and patiently watching the events of this year roll out, before making the decision to move and I wouldn’t blame them. However I would also suggest to all of those people that timing this process is next to impossible and the potential for things to change, is almost as predictable as the changes themselves. My advice is to consider the bigger picture reasons as to why you want to head to this great little country, identify if you fit within the rules that exist today and then if you decide to take the leap, leap quickly. This process works for those who are able to move with speed - a bit like pulling off a band-aid, the quicker you do it, the less painful it is. Not that this process has to be painful at all, because a well planned out move, with the right advice will come with plenty of nerves and anxiety but should also be a lot of fun and adventure as well.

Top two tips for those looking to make the move in 2024:

• Keep an eye on the employment (labour) market - as there will be changes coming. While unemployment remains low here, particularly compared to many other countries, that will change over time.

• Assess your eligibility as a first step - find out the options available and then stay abreast of changes. The best way to do all of these things is to involve a qualified, licensed adviser with the process.

There are of course a lot of other things to consider, but if your new years resolution is likely to be a new life in New Zealand, then starting with the above, will help you realise that goal.

User Guide

Our free NZ Immigration Guide, free to view (click here).

Immigration User Guide

To round off the year, we have produced a bit of ‘light reading’ for your holiday break. Our New Zealand immigration guide is available online for you to view and covers a whole range of topics relating to your potential move to New Zealand. There are overviews of the various visa categories, settlement assistance and also tips on how to secure a job here. Our guide is updated regularly so the link will always give you the most up to date version.

If you know anyone interested in making the move, feel free to share this with them. We hope you enjoy it.

And Finally…

From the team at Turner Hopkins Services, we would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for reading our newsletters each week. We hope you have enjoyed the content and we look forward to bringing you more in 2024. However we will be taking a well earned rest from 21 December through to 10 January 2024.

No matter where you are, have a very safe, relaxing and enjoyable holiday break and we we will back in January.

Until next year.