Proposed changes to immigration policy settings: Suite of proposed changes to the Essential Skills visa

closed
Submissions closed: 21 May 2017, 5pm

Summary

We are consulting on proposed changes to temporary work visa settings, through the Essential Skills visa policy. The changes aim to ensure that settlement expectations are clear for temporary labour migrants and that the settings enable access to migrant labour where there is genuine need.

We are consulting on the following proposals:

  • Using wage or salary information to help determine the skill level and visa conditions of Essential Skills migrants.
  • Reinforcing the temporary nature of the visa and managing the settlement expectations of Essential Skills migrants where they have no pathway to residence.
  • Reinforcing that Essential Skills visas may only be granted for the period for which the employment is offered.

Submissions received from the discussion document will help MBIE develop final proposals for the Government’s consideration.

Submissions