World of HR: New Zealand changes language requirements for ‘low-skilled’ work visa applicants

With its rolling hills, renowned wine, and epic rugby games, New Zealand sounds like a magical destination. Just ask the hobbits, and the many workers who are moving to the country in search of the One Ring and good jobs.

Where in the world? In response to “unsustainable” migration, Erica Stanford, New Zealand’s immigration minister, announced that to receive a work visa, “low-skilled” applicants will now be required to speak English. The country is also reducing the length of time these workers can stay in the country, from five to three years.

New Zealand has around 5.3 million residents and is roughly the size of Colorado, but experienced near-record immigration in 2023, when 173,000 people arrived on its shores. The number of migrants entering the country surged after the government loosened immigration restrictions in 2022. The new requirements aim to reduce it.

The rules also stipulate that applicants must have a certain number of points—based on hourly wages, qualifications, and years of experience, among others—to qualify for a work visa.

“The government is focused on attracting and retaining the highly skilled migrants such as secondary teachers, where there is a skill shortage,” Stanford said. “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.”

While proponents of the new requirements believe the changes are necessary, critics are afraid that skilled workers will go elsewhere, especially as a record number of citizens left the country last year.

Satellite view. Several countries are struggling with uneven worker numbers. In December, Australia announcedplans to cut immigration intake in half and tighten work visa requirements as it combats a surge in migration. Also last year, Germany relaxed some of its worker requirements amid shortages in its IT and healthcare industries, and Spain changed its guidelines to allow more remote workers into the country, HR Brew previously reported.

The Shire and Rivendell may remain a dream for some.