Ever Considered Importing Your Staff?

With applications for labour-market-tested work visas often taking 60 days or more to process and continuing low unemployment, it’s timely to consider whether becoming an Accredited Employer would assist your business.

Immigration New Zealand’s Employer Accreditation scheme allows for businesses that can prove they are in a sound financial position, with good human resource and workplace practices, and a commitment to training New Zealanders, to supplement their New Zealand workforce with overseas labour.

Offers of employment made to non-New Zealanders under this scheme must be for periods of at least 24 months, for positions core to the employer’s business and remunerated at a gross salary of $55,000 per annum.

Once Accredited, migrant workers will only need to provide evidence of their identity, health, character and qualifications and/or work experience to be granted work visas. There is no need to provide evidence of advertising for the position, or of a skills shortage in your industry, as this will have already been accepted by INZ.

Other benefits of Accreditation include the issue of 30-month work-to-residence visas to approved applicants, the ability to apply for residence-from-work for workers who have worked under this scheme for at least 24 months and who are under 55 years of age, and faster processing of these visas by business immigration specialists. Once gained, Accredited status lasts for two years and can be renewed.

The Government has recently suggested that this scheme may be reviewed in the near future. We suggest all businesses needing to supplement their New Zealand workforce look to obtain Accredited status before any potential rule change.

Wakefields Lawyers has recently seen residence visas granted under this scheme in less than the average time taken to process a work visa. Contact us today on 04 970 3600 or info@wakefieldslaw.com  to see if we can assist your business in obtaining Accredited status.