Effect of New Zealand’s Visa Restrictions on Indian Immigrants Likely to Be Significant

The New Zealand government has introduced new requirements in an attempt to control the number of migrants entering the country. These requirements include English proficiency, work experience, and skill criteria, as well as a reduction in the duration of stay with a work permit.

Journalist Dita De Boni expressed concern that these changes may make it tougher for Indians and immigrants from countries outside the Anglosphere to find jobs in New Zealand. There has been a steady rise in the number of Indians in New Zealand, with Indians making up about 4.7% of the population according to the 2018 New Zealand census.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated that New Zealand has approximately 250,000 persons of Indian origin and NRIs, most of whom are settled there permanently. Data from ENZ.org indicates that around 18,000 Indians have migrated to the country since 2011.

The changes to the Accredited Employer Worker Visa (AEWV), which is the main temporary work visa in New Zealand, include English-language requirements for low-skill jobs, a minimum threshold of skills for most work visas, and a reduction in the maximum continuous stay allowed on work permits from five years to three years. Employers are also encouraged to hire immigrants only if there are no suitable and available New Zealander candidates for the job, with the aim of providing more employment opportunities to locals.

The Immigration minister claimed that the visa restrictions would be beneficial for migrant rights and prevent exploitation by employers. However, journalist Dita De Boni questioned the need for these changes, stating that upping the English language requirement may do little to prevent exploitation.

She also mentioned that Business NZ, which represents the country’s business sector, is wary of the changes and the potential restrictions on paths to residency in certain sectors such as construction. The New Zealand government’s stance on immigration has been a topic of discussion, as it was elected on a pro-immigration platform, but the current changes may be received differently by the business sector.