New Zealand saw a record-breaking 20,442 arrivals on work visas in March 2023, surpassing pre-pandemic levels. The country is attempting to ease entry rules to address labor shortages, and is fast-tracking 32 healthcare roles for immigration. Additionally, offshore students affected by the pandemic will be granted a 12-month Open Work visa.

COVID-19 Pandemic: Impact on the Number of Arrivals

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected the number of arrivals on work visas in New Zealand. In March 2020, the number of arrivals dropped to just 237, compared to 12,399 in March 2019. The numbers remained low for more than a year, until they started to increase again in March 2022.

Work Visas in New Zealand

The Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE) has been collecting data on work visas since 2012. Work visas are granted to people who want to work in New Zealand for a specified period. They are available for a wide range of occupations, including healthcare, hospitality, construction, and agriculture.

Labour shortages lead to increase in overseas workers

The rise in numbers arriving on work visas shows that the total number of people in New Zealand on work visas is increasing again, after declining from a peak of 222,036 in March 2020 to a low of 108,750 in September 2022. The New Zealand government has been working to ease entry rules to bring in more workers from other countries to deal with labour shortages noted in several industries.

New healthcare roles included in immigration fast-track scheme

In a bid to address shortages in the healthcare sector, the New Zealand government has included an additional 32 healthcare roles in the immigration fast-track scheme. The Immigration Minister, Michael Wood, and Health Minister, Ayesha Verrall, made the announcement, stating that skippers would be paid above the median wage, and migrant worker deckhands would need to be paid at least the median wage to utilize this sector agreement.

Offshore students affected by COVID-19 granted open work visa

The New Zealand government has also announced that offshore students affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and its new variants will be granted a 12-month open work visa. This move is designed to provide relief to those students who have been impacted by the pandemic and who may be struggling to find work. The open work visa will allow them to work in any occupation and any region of the country.

New Zealand’s COVID-19 response praised globally

New Zealand’s COVID-19 response has been praised globally, with the country being ranked as one of the best in the world for its handling of the pandemic. The country has managed to keep its infection rates low and has been able to avoid the kind of lockdowns seen in other countries. The government’s focus on public health and safety has been lauded, as has its efforts to bring in overseas workers to address labour shortages.

Impact of rising numbers of arrivals on work visas

The rising numbers of arrivals on work visas have had a significant impact on the New Zealand economy, with many businesses benefitting from the additional labour. However, concerns have been raised about the impact on infrastructure, particularly in cities where the influx of workers has put pressure on housing and transport. The government has responded by investing in infrastructure and working to create more affordable housing options.

Efforts to attract skilled workers to New Zealand

To attract skilled workers to New Zealand, the government has launched a number of initiatives, including the introduction of a Global Impact Visa, which aims to attract entrepreneurs and investors who can make a positive impact on the country. The visa offers a fast-track to residency and provides support for businesses and start-ups. The government has also launched a Skilled Migrant Category visa, which is designed to attract skilled workers to fill gaps in the labour market.

Challenges faced by new arrivals

New arrivals to New Zealand face a number of challenges, including the high cost of living and the need to adapt to a new culture and way of life. The government has responded by providing support for new migrants, including language classes and cultural orientation programs.