Immigration often amends the requirements of Essential Skills Work Visas. The latest major changes were announced in July 2021, which includes:

• When the employee is not changing region, employer or role, there is no requirement to go through Labour Market Test or provide Skill Matching Report when applying for Essential Skills work visa, if:

• They are on any type of work visa; or
• A student visa with unlimited working rights; or
• Critical Purpose Visitor Visa granted for 6 months or more.

• Changed the duration of an Essential Skills visa for jobs paid below the median wage from 1 year to 2 years.
• Medical and police certificates requirements were waived off for the applicants who already provided these certificates with their previous visa application.

For new vacant roles or applicants who change their role, employer or location must provide Labour Market Test and prove that there are no eligible NZ Citizens/ Residents to take up the job. If the applicant’s occupation is on Long Term Skill Shortage List and meets the requirements of the list is not required to provide evidence of advertisements and non-availability of NZ Citizens or Residents.