A group representing migrant workers has criticized recent changes to visa rules, calling them “heart-wrenching” and “ruthless and insensitive.” The government announced that holders of an Accredited Employer Visa (AEWV) at Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) levels 4 and 5, who do not have a pathway to residency, can no longer support work, visitor, or student visa applications for their partners and dependent children.
ANZSCO levels 4 and 5 include workers with qualifications equivalent to NCEA levels 1, 2, or 3. Immigration New Zealand stated that these changes are part of broader modifications to the AEWV scheme introduced earlier this year, returning to settings similar to those under the previous Essential Skills Work Visa.
Immigration Minister Erica Stanford emphasized the need for these changes in February, stating they were essential to balance the intake of highly skilled workers with New Zealand’s infrastructure and services capacity, including housing, healthcare, and education.
Applications already in process for partners or children will not be affected by the changes. However, the Union Network of Migrants, part of FIRST Union, condemned the policy shift as abrupt and insensitive, arguing it lacked consultation with stakeholders, community groups, and migrant advocates.
Union coordinator Mikee Santos expressed disappointment with Minister Stanford’s approach, contrasting it with the previous government’s engagement. He highlighted the emotional and financial toll on migrants who plan their lives based on existing policies, stating, “This sudden change is pulling the rug from underneath their feet, and the fall to the ground will be painful.”
Santos also criticized the government’s reliance on migrant labor during times of need, only to implement austerity measures that disregard the migrants’ futures. A review by the Public Service Commission found that the AEWV scheme led to migrant exploitation, with some workers not being paid and ineligible employers receiving accreditation. The scheme, introduced by the previous Labour government in 2022 to address worker shortages post-Covid-19, inadvertently facilitated exploitation, admitted Labour leader Chris Hipkins in February. The review was initiated following a whistleblower’s allegations that Immigration NZ was failing to conduct proper checks.