Correct Answer : New Zealand
New Zealand tightened its visa regulations citing high “unsustainable net migration” levels and introducing additional criteria like skills and language requirements as well as shortening the lengths of work permits issued to international citizens.
Country's Immigration Minister Erica Stanford said on Sunday (7th April 2024) that the changes to the Accredited Employer Worker Visa (AEWV) scheme were effective immediately and New Zealand will be “better testing the local labor market and reducing the risks of putting New Zealanders out of work”.
A statement by Stanford added, “The Government is focused on attracting and retaining the highly skilled migrants such as secondary teachers, where there is a skill shortage. At the same time we need to ensure that New Zealanders are put to the front of the line for jobs where there are no skills shortages.”
Why is New Zealand tightening its visa regulations?
* As per the statement,
173,000 non-New Zealanders migrated to the country in
2023. With a population of
5.3 million, New Zealand has been seeing a surge in migration since
2022.
* The government is concerned that several New Zealand citizens would be put out of work. It wants to ensure that “New Zealanders are put to the front of the line for jobs where there are no skills shortages.”
* Through these rules, the
New Zealand government is planning to develop a
“smarter immigration system” which would eventually lead to managing net migration.
* The statement read, “These changes are the start of a more comprehensive work programme to create a smarter immigration system that manages net migration, responds to our changing economic context, attracts top talent, revitalises international education, is self-funding and sustainable, and better manages risk.”
