New Zealand Revamps Visa Rules Amid Soaring Immigration Numbers

New Zealand has been facing significant challenges due to a sharp increase in immigration, prompting the government to tighten visa regulations. The changes, particularly aimed at employment visa requirements, were announced by the New Zealand government as an immediate response to manage the situation. In 2023, the country witnessed a staggering number of 173,000 immigrants, a substantial increase in post-COVID-19 migration flows.

In light of the overwhelming immigration numbers, the government has taken steps to control the situation. Moving forward, even those coming for jobs that do not require high levels of skill will need to demonstrate English language proficiency, minimum professional skills, and relevant work experience for employment visas.

Additionally, the duration for permanent residency eligibility for individuals in lower-skilled jobs has been reduced from five years to three. Immigration Minister Erica Stanford highlighted efforts to attract highly skilled migrants, such as secondary teachers, ensuring they continue to contribute to the country’s development.

Simultaneously, the minister emphasized the necessity to prioritize local citizens for jobs not facing skill shortages. Following the pandemic, New Zealand's population reached 5.1 million, exacerbating inflationary pressures, a situation mirrored in neighboring Australia. In response, Australia has decided to halve its immigration intake over the next two years to manage similar challenges.