Visas & Advice Detail
Skilled visas
David Fuller finds out what jobs make it onto the skilled visa lists in New Zealand and why
David Fuller talks to labour department representatives in New Zealand to find out how it is decided what skills are listed as being relevant for immigration purposes.
A representative of New Zealand's Department of Labour explains to David Fuller (DF) how it is decided that certain skills can help you obtain a visa, but others can't.
DF: What is the idea behind New Zealand's Long Term Skill Shortage (LTSSL) and Immediate Skill Shortage Lists?
The purpose of these lists is to help New Zealand get the skilled migrants it needs to foster economic growth and increased productivity.
The lists work as a facilitative device. In immigration terminology, the process of ensuring that an employer has made genuine attempts to employ New Zealanders before migrants is called a 'labour market test'. Applications for jobs on the lists are not labour market tested. This saves employers and visa applicants time and money, and provides them with more certainty.
Both lists remove the requirement for labour market testing. The LTSSL also provides migrants with a route to permanent residence, either from Work to Residence (working for two years in that occupation in New Zealand) or through bonus points in Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) applications. The SMC is a points system through which most permanent residents are selected.
DF: How long have these lists been in place, and have they been successful in providing New Zealand with the migrants it needs?
The lists were established in 2002. Since this time there has been a large number of submissions for occupations to be added to these lists (most have been successful). OECD data suggests New Zealand performs better than other OECD countries at matching skilled migrants with jobs. New Zealand's skill shortage lists may have contributed to this performance.
In 2007/08, around 6,500 people achieved residence through the LTSSL work to residence policy, and a further 4,800 people used the LTSSL bonus point provisions of the SMC. United Kingdom nationals account for 37 per cent of people approved work permits through the LTSSL, and 27 per cent of people approved for Residence through the SMC.
DF: Who decides which occupations should be included on the list?
The Minister of Immigration makes the final decision on the composition of the LTSSL, and the Department of Labour makes the final decision on the composition of the ISSL.
DF: How does this department then go about identifying the occupations that need to be included?
The composition of these lists is determined by analysing labour market data, submissions and other feedback from industries and unions, and any other relevant information.
DF: Have any occupations been added/removed from these lists over the past six months? If so, what were the reasons behind the amendments?
Yes – a wide range of occupations have been added. The principal reason for the amendments has been the very low unemployment levels in New Zealand, leading to strong demand for skilled migrants.
DF: Do the occupations included on the lists tend to change much over a 12-month period?
The lists are reviewed twice a year, but in general are quite stable.
DF: Are there any new occupations that you can see being included on these lists any time in the near future?
This is for the review process to determine.