By The Guardian

Copyright indiatimes

New Zealand is making it easier for migrant workers to come and live in the country to boost its workforce and economy, as per the Nicola Willis, Minister for Economic Growth, Tuesday statement. The government announced two new residency pathways aimed at skilled and experienced migrants to fill workforce gaps. Willis said businesses reported it was too hard for some migrants with crucial skills and experience to gain residence under current rules. The push for foreign workers and investment comes amid record numbers of New Zealanders leaving the country and shrinking GDP, as reported by The Guardian.New residency rulesThe new residency pathways will start from mid-2026:Pathway 1: For skilled roles, migrants must meet experience and salary thresholds.Pathway 2: For trades and technical roles, migrants must meet qualification, work experience, and wage requirements Live EventsImmigration Minister Erica Stanford said the skilled work experience pathway helps employers retain experienced workers who already contribute to New Zealand’s economy. The trades and technicians pathway focuses on practical skills used in industries where non-university qualifications are valuable. Migration trendsBetween July 2024–2025, 73,400 New Zealanders left the country, while only 25,800 returned home. In January, New Zealand relaxed visitor visa rules to attract “digital nomads,” including influencers paid by overseas companies, as stated by reports.In February, requirements for the Active Investor Plus visa (golden visa) were loosened, allowing wealthy foreigners to gain residency. Business New Zealand welcomed the new residency pathways, saying they will help employers keep skilled workers, as per the report by The Guardian.New Zealand first warns on immigration planInfrastructure NZ urged a faster start date for the new pathways. Minor coalition partner New Zealand First opposed the move, citing it as an “unfocused immigration proposal”, as per the report by Winston Peters, Party Leader & Minister of Foreign Affairs. Peters criticized New Zealand as being a stepping stone to Australia, where migrants train and upskill before leaving. Of New Zealand citizens migrating to Australia in 2024, 35% were born outside New Zealand. Peters stressed the need for a smart immigration system that balances employer needs, industry demands, and the future of Kiwi workers, rather than policies that increase immigration without planning for the next generation, as per the report by The Guardian.FAQsQ1. What are the new residency pathways in New Zealand?New Zealand will introduce two new residency pathways from mid-2026 for skilled workers and trades/technical workers to fill workforce gaps.Add as a Reliable and Trusted News Source Add Now!
Q2. Why is New Zealand making it easier for migrants to stay?The government wants to attract skilled migrants as record numbers of New Zealanders are leaving and the economy needs workers.(You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel)

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(You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel)Read More News onNew Zealand immigrationSkilled migrants NZNZ residency pathwaysMigration to AustraliaNZ First immigrationDigital nomads New ZealandGolden visa NZSkilled workers New ZealandNZ economy and migrationNew Zealand residency pathways(Catch all the US News, UK News, Canada News, International Breaking News Events, and Latest News Updates on The Economic Times.) Download The Economic Times News App to get Daily International News Updates….moreless