Visas explained: these construction occupations offer a direct route to residence! How can employers legally recruit migrant workers?

The labour shortage that emerged during the COVID pandemic appears to have eased. As a construction worker, how can you obtain the right visa?

The labour shortage that emerged during the COVID pandemic appears to have eased. As a construction worker, how can you obtain the right visa? As a construction employer, how can you recruit valuable talent? Today, YIJU New Zealand shares an overview.

Construction occupations on the Green List

To address labour shortages across New Zealand's industries, the Government introduced the Green List system. Applicants who meet basic requirements such as age, English language proficiency and health, and whose occupation is on the visa list, can obtain a New Zealand resident visa through a straightforward process.

Depending on the occupation and type of work, Green List visas fall into three main categories:

Straight to Residence Visa Straight to Residence Visa

If you meet the criteria, you can apply now and obtain New Zealand residence directly in a single step. You can come to New Zealand on a work visa and apply here, or even apply from overseas. Of all the Green List categories, this offers the easiest route to residence, covering the occupations in greatest shortage in New Zealand.

In construction, the following occupations qualify for a Straight to Residence Visa:

Construction Project Manager
Project Builder (including Building Project Manager and Site Foreman)
Quantity Surveyor
Surveyor
Civil Engineer
Civil Engineering Technician
Environmental Engineer
Geotechnical Engineer
Structural Engineer

{ad}

Work to Residence Visa Work to Residence Visa

Applicants for this visa must currently work for an accredited employer, or have a job offer from one, and must have worked in a Green List Tier 2 occupation for 24 months. During those 24 months, applicants must:

Work in a Green List Tier 2 occupation
Meet the role's Green List requirements, such as pay thresholds, experience, registration, professional membership or qualifications
Hold one or more of the following visas: an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV), or an interim visa issued while awaiting an AEWV; a Critical Purpose Visitor Visa with work conditions, or any other type of work visa, held or applied for before 4 July 2022

This visa category opens on 29 September 2023, so some information has yet to be updated on the official website. However, if you meet the requirements, you can start preparing now.

In construction, the following occupations qualify for a Work to Residence Visa:

Electrician (general)
Plumber (general)
Civil construction supervisors
Gasfitters
Drainlayers
Skilled crane operators
Skilled civil machine operators

The Green List is continually updated. You can check Immigration New Zealand's website at any time for relevant information by copying these links into your browser:

Straight to Residence Visa

https://www.immigration.govt.nz/new-zealand-visas/visas/visa/straight-to-residence-visa

Work to Residence Visa

https://www.immigration.govt.nz/new-zealand-visas/visas/visa/work-to-residence-visa

Search the Green List

https://www.immigration.govt.nz/new-zealand-visas/preparing-a-visa-application/working-in-nz/qualifications-for-work/green-list-occupations

Accredited Employer Work Visa

The latest monthly report from employment website Seek NZ shows that job advertisements increased by 1% in March. Seek country manager Rob Clark said the tight labour market had eased, with applications per job advertisement increasing by 4% in February.

As migrants arrive in New Zealand from overseas, employers also need to ensure they meet the requirements to employ them. This includes becoming an accredited employer and supporting employees' Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) applications.

Employers wishing to recruit skilled international workers must meet the minimum accreditation requirements, provide supporting evidence and complete the official accreditation process before they can support employees' Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) applications. Depending on the number of migrants they wish to employ, employers need either standard accreditation, for up to 5 AEWV workers, or high-volume accreditation, for 6 or more AEWV workers.

Under the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV), employers can employ migrants on visas valid for up to 3 years. Unless the role is on the exemption list, employers must pay at least New Zealand's median wage and complete a job check demonstrating that they could not first find a suitable New Zealander.

Now is a good time to apply for employer accreditation. Under new government rules, employers who apply for accreditation for the first time before 4 July 2023 will automatically have their accreditation extended by 12 months, bringing its total validity to 24 months.

For jobseekers, the first step is to obtain a job offer from an accredited employer, then apply for an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV). Depending on pay, they can obtain a work visa for 2 or 3 years, while also applying for a work visa for their partner and student visas for dependent children. Working for an accredited employer also offers various advantages and is a prerequisite for many visas, including the Straight to Residence Visa and Work to Residence Visa discussed above.

For employers, hiring overseas migrants through the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) can reduce risk and provide a lawful way to address shortages of talent and labour.