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More time for job hunting By Lawrence JohnstonPOTENTIAL skilled migrants going to New Zealand under the Work to Residence policy will be allowed more time to find a job. People granted Work to Residence permits under the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC), will now be given nine months instead of six to find a job. Overseas applicants will also be given an additional three months to get to New Zealand before that nine months begins. Another change means that skilled migrants who find a job will no longer need to work for three months prior to obtaining residence. A transitional policy for those already in New Zealand on a Work to Residence permit has also been approved. Immigration officers will be able to waive some immigration fees after the Expression of Interest (EOI) stage. Announcing these changes last month, Immigration Minister David Cunliffe said: "We have listened and acted on the considerable feedback from the migrant community regarding the time that some prospective migrants need to come here and find a skilled position. "During a review of this policy we took on board feedback from a number of migrants and migrant groups who felt that the current policy was putting some at a disadvantage. We heard anecdotally of cases where people had excellent skills on offer, but just needed an extra few months to get a skilled job. "The nine month period is a better balance between giving migrants a decent chance to prove themselves, while also ensuring they have what's needed by Kiwi employers. We certainly don't want to miss out on those skilled people who have the potential to make a real contribution at a time when employers need skilled labour to move their businesses forward," he said. The Work to Residence policy is designed for those migrants who meet all the requirements of the SMC but need to prove their employability before being granted residence. Other approved SMC candidates who have New Zealand jobs or job offers generally receive residence straight away. Mr Cunliffe said that the changes were part of a general review of the government's skilled migrant policies. Further changes would be announced in due course. Work was also underway to develop a new business model that would add to New Zealand's ability to attract talented people from around the world. |
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