As the world opens up and everyone starts moving again, New Zealand has emerged as a dream destination for many migrant workers. A recent report from employment giants Seek has highlighted huge labour shortages across a number of sectors including healthcare, IT, engineering, and construction.
The government has jumped on board to address our skilled labour shortage by implementing a new Visa option - the Green List Visa. There are 89 jobs on the Green List which provide a fast tracked pathway to residency, and even if your occupation is not on the list you may be eligible for this Visa if you can get a job offer from an accredited employer.
A recent news article highlighted the heavy demand for skilled labour, stating “just under 11,000 employers have applied for accreditation to bring in almost 53,000 migrant workers” - the work is there, you just need to connect with it.
Are your skills in demand?
So what steps should you take towards securing your dream job in New Zealand in 2023? And how do you link up with an accredited employer? There are large numbers of vacancies across a range of sectors, so let’s start by taking a look at what kind of workers are in demand.
Check if your qualifications are recognised.
Once you have checked the jobs in demand under the Green List Visa scheme, your next step should be an International Qualifications Assessment. Although there are exemptions available to the IQA certification requirements - such as agreements between the NZ government and some other governments - NZJS generally requires all potential migrant workers to secure an IQA. Legitimate qualification checks put you front and centre with accredited employers - elevating your chances of success significantly. If you want to learn more about the IQA process and exemptions you can read our handy explainer here.
Let’s simplify this for you!
So what is an IQA, and how do you get one?
An International Qualifications Assessment is a discovery process undertaken by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority to ensure that migrant workers are able to take up employment in New Zealand. It ensures that your skills and experience will translate to your new work environment and that everyone is on the same page.
(NZJS are here to smooth the way for you, so if you like, you can just register here and let our friendly expert team walk you through all the steps you need to take.)
What information do I need to provide?
In order to get your qualifications checked, you will need to provide information and documents such as academic transcripts, a scan of your passport bio-data page, or evidence of a completed apprenticeship. There are very specific guidelines around the types of files that may be submitted, and you will need to share comprehensive personal information. The fee structure varies according to the year you gained your qualifications and a few other factors, but the jumping-off point is NZ$445 - that’s per qualification.
Check out this handy IQA PDF checklist we have put together to help you get on your way. Note: An IQA submitted with all the required information will take around 25 days to action.
NZJS are here to help.
NZJS have all the information you need about the IQA . Our immigration partners NZIL can help you identify immigration pathways. Each case is different so we are ready to help you decipher your specific obligations - and we are working with accredited employers to match skilled workers with jobs.
If the process feels a little daunting, you have come to the right place; register now or contact us, and let’s get you started on your dream to work in New Zealand by securing that job!