Immigration New Zealand has announced changes to annual salaries for applications lodged under SMC on and after 24 February 2020 (based on a 40 hour per week job)
Salary required for claiming points for Skilled Employment
For Skilled occupations (including the occupations listed as exceptions) - minimum Salary of $25.50 per hour will meet the requirement
For occupations not considered skilled, minimum salary of $38.25 or more will meet the requirement
Pay rate to claim bonus points – must be $51 or more per hour.
SOME APPLICATIONS ARE UNAFFECTED
If you were invited to apply for SMC before the increase, INZ will assess the application based on required salary threshold on the date the EOI was selected.
WORK VISA APPLICATIONS – NEW HOURLY RATES
Mid skilled which are listed as Skill level 1 to 3 and exception occupations*(listed below) - hourly rate has increased to $21.68 which will enable you to get 3 years work visa
High Skilled Employment (including skill levels 1 to 5) – hourly rate has increased to $38.25 per hour. This enables you to get 5 years work visa
Low skill employment (any skill level) – hourly rate of $21.67 or less – will enable you to get 1-year work visa
Low skill employment at level 4 and 5 – hourly rate $38.24 or less per hour will be lower skilled and obtain 1-year work visa
SOME APPLICATIONS ARE UNAFFECTED
If you apply for an Essential Skills Work Visa before 24 February 2020
If you apply for, or have applied for, an Essential Skills work visa and we receive your application before 24 February 2020, the old thresholds will be used to assess and determine your visa application.
WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU APPLY ON OR AFTER 24 FEBRUARY 2020?
Only new applications INZ will receive on or after 24 February 2020 will be assessed against the new threshold.
The new thresholds will apply, even if the employment agreement was signed before 24 February 2020.
*OCCUPATIONS ON THIS LIST WILL BE TREATED AS BEING SKILL LEVEL 1 TO 3 — BUT ONLY IF YOU ARE PAID AT LEAST THE NEW ZEALAND SALARY OF $25 PER HOUR NOW AND $25.50 AFTER 24 FEBRUARY 2020
ANZSCO code and occupation
421111 Child Care Worker
421112 Family Day Care Worker
421114 Out of School Hours Care Worker
422116 Teachers' Aide
423411 Child or Youth Residential Care Assistant
423413 Refuge Worker
451111 Beauty Therapist
451412 Tour Guide
451612 Travel Consultant
451811 Civil Celebrant
452211 Bungy Jump Master
452212 Fishing Guide
452213 Hunting Guide
452214 Mountain or Glacier Guide
452215 Outdoor Adventure Instructor
452216 Trekking Guide
452217 Whitewater Rafting Guide
452299 Outdoor Adventure Guides nec
551211 Bookkeeper
552111 Bank Worker
552211 Credit or Loans Officer
711211 Industrial Spraypainter
711311 Paper Products Machine Operator
711313 Sawmilling Operator
711611 Sewing Machinist
711711 Footwear Production Machine Operator
711712 Hide and Skin Processing Machine Operator
711713 Knitting Machine Operator
711714 Textile Dyeing and Finishing Machine Operator
711715 Weaving Machine Operator
711716 Yarn Carding and Spinning Machine Operator
711799 Textile and Footwear Production Machine Operators nec
712111 Crane, Hoist or Lift Operator
712916 Paper and Pulp Mill Operator
712921 Wastewater or Water Plant Operator
721112 Logging Plant Operator
721913 Paving Plant Operator
731311 Train Driver
821711 Construction Rigger
423313 Personal Care Assistant
452311 Diving Instructor (Open Water)
591212 Import-Export Clerk
599611 Insurance Investigator
599612 Insurance Loss Adjuster
CORONAVIRUS UPDATE
NZ is placing a temporary entry restriction into NZ for foreign nationals travelling from or transiting China to restrict spread of the Coronavirus.
INZ Beijing office is closed temporarily for the same reason.
Further delays are expected with visas due to the potential Global impact of this virus.
In the end some GOOD NEWS*
INZ has decreased the processing times for most Work Visa applications (Essential skills) as most of them are allocated within 1 week of lodgement.
As always please contact Legal Associates for any visa assistance
Mallika Raithwal,
Licensed Immigration Advisor