Latest news with #AccreditedEmployerWorkVisa
NZ Herald
9 hours ago
- Business
- NZ Herald
Immigration adviser fined, loses licence for visa scam with fake jobs
There have been widespread reports of fraudulent employers and agents selling jobs under the Accredited Employer Work Visa scheme since early 2023. The latest decision by the tribunal comes more than a year after the tribunal upheld 51 breaches by Ma, involving advice given to five other clients. The breaches included six counts of dishonesty involving giving false information and documents to Immigration New Zealand, as well as other breaches of the licensed immigration advisers' Code of Conduct. Ma was ordered to compensate $19,061 to one victim and fined $17,000 across three different complainants. Ma's licence was suspended in April 2024, shortly after the first tribunal decision against her, but was not revoked then. In this latest case, the two migrants arrived in New Zealand only to find there was no available work with ZR Homes. They filed complaints to the Immigration Advisers Authority against Ma and stated they had no work or any income for several weeks after arriving in New Zealand, which caused them significant mental distress. Immigration Advisers Authority registrar Duncan Connor said the numerous breaches and deliberate attempt to conceal a conflict of interest was unacceptable. 'The seriousness of the complaints and pattern of behaviour prompted the authority to seek suspension of Ms Ma's licence, which was granted by the tribunal pending the outcome of the final tribunal decision, which we were pleased the tribunal agreed with,' Connor said. Tribunal chairman DJ Plunkett said in his decision that the misconduct was aggravated by the lack of any acknowledgment of serious wrongdoing by Ma. – RNZ
Otago Daily Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Govt plan to lift international student enrolments
Education Minister Erica Stanford. Photo: RNZ Minister of Education Erica Stanford has unveiled a plan to double the economic benefits brought into the country by international students. From November, eligible student-visa holders will be able to work more hours a week, from 20 to 25 hours, and work rights will be extended to all tertiary students in approved exchange programmes. The government will also consider introducing a short-duration work visa of up to six months to allow international graduates who do not qualify for post-study work rights time to seek jobs under the Accredited Employer Work Visa pathway. It would also look at updates to make it easier for students to apply for multi-year visas. Stanford said the changes would be introduced alongside marketing to bolster the country's presence overseas. The goal was to boost tertiary education's annual economic contribution to $7.2 billion, by lifting enrolments from 83,700 in 2024 to 119,000 in 2034. The plan sets out actions for agencies to boost New Zealand's presence in overseas markets, attract talented students and support the university sector through system improvements. "In the short term, Education New Zealand will focus its promotional efforts on markets with the highest potential for growth," she said.
Scoop
3 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Making NZ Top Destination For International Students
The Government's going for growth in international education, releasing its plan to double the sector's economic contribution to $7.2 billion by 2034. 'International education is one of our largest exports, injecting $3.6 billion into our economy in 2024. It also provides opportunities for research, strengthening trade and people-to-people connections, which are important to drive investment, productivity and innovation in New Zealand. 'On average in 2024, an international student spent $45,000 across the year. That means more visits to our cafes and restaurants, more people visiting our iconic attractions and ultimately more jobs being created. 'With international student enrolments steadily increasing since 2023, we want to supercharge that growth track and make New Zealand the destination of choice for international students,' says Education Minister Erica Stanford. To support this, from November the Government will: Increase in-study work rights from 20 to 25 hours per week for eligible student visa holders. Extend eligibility for in-study work rights to all tertiary students in approved exchange or Study Abroad programmes, including programmes one-semester long. In addition, the following will be investigated: Introduce a short-duration work visa of up to six months to provide some international graduates who do not qualify for post-study work rights, allowing time to seek employment in their field of study under the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) pathway. Updates to make it easier for students to apply for multi-year visas. Advertisement - scroll to continue reading The International Education Going for Growth Plan sets out short, medium and long-term actions for agencies to boost New Zealand's presence in overseas markets, attract talented students, build sector capacity and capability, and support the university sector through system improvements. Its objectives are: raise awareness of New Zealand as a study destination from 38% in 2024, to 42% in 2027 and 44% by 2034. grow student enrolments from 83,700 in 2024 to 105,000 in 2027 and 119,000 by 2034. increase the proportion of prospective students rating NZ among their top 3 choices of study destination from 18% in 2024 to 20% in 2027 and 22% in 2034. 'In the short term, Education New Zealand will focus its promotional efforts on markets with the highest potential for growth. Across all markets, promotional activities will aim to elevate awareness of New Zealand as a premier study destination that is a safe and welcoming place to live and learn. 'To achieve our ambitious target, we're taking a considered and strategic approach. It's important to strike the right balance between increasing student numbers, maintaining the quality of education, and managing broader impacts on New Zealanders. Our plan will deliver that,' says Ms Stanford.
India Today
3 days ago
- Business
- India Today
Planning to Work Abroad? Try These 6 Countries in 2025
Planning to Work Abroad? Try These 6 Countries in 2025 By Shruti Bansal Here are six of the most attractive countries offering relatively accessible work-visa routes in 2025, based on streamlined systems, demand for skilled labor, digital nomad options, and favorable policies: The Express Entry and Global Talent Stream offer expedited processing (often within two weeks) for in-demand professionals in IT, healthcare, and trades Provincial Nominee Programmes also allow targeted recruitment. Work visas like the Essential Skills and Accredited Employer Work Visa are accessible, especially for those in professions on the skills shortage list Student Village As of June 23, 2025, Indian degree-holders can bypass qualification assessments, speeding up processing. 2. New Zealand Implemented a po ints-based system from 2023–24, making it easier for skilled workers (engineers, IT, healthcare) to migrate The new system accelerates permit issuance for high-skilled applicants. 3. Germany The long-term Golden Visa offers 5–10 year residency without a local sponsor. A new route allows skilled Indians to apply via nomination and a one-time fee of Rs23 lakh (~US $30 k) The UAE ranks #2 globally for digital nomad appeal, thanks to fast policies, connectivity, and infrastructure. 4. United Arab Emirates (UAE) The Graduate Route allows students to work post-study, and skilled-worker routes remain open. However, major changes to Skilled Worker visa rules—including salary thresholds and digital processing—come into effect on July 22, 2025, affecting eligibility. Still remains a strong destination for tech, healthcare, and engineering talent. 5. United Kingdom Offers multiple attractive pathways: Digital Nomad (D7/D8) visas, plus investor or fund-based Golden Visas Note: Traditional Golden Visa backlog has grown significantly—with 50,000+ pending and delays projected into 2030—it's best for fund or job-creation routes now . 6. Portugal
1News
05-07-2025
- Politics
- 1News
Assault of migrant worker in Auckland sparks protest
Protesters gathered in West Auckland demanding justice for a migrant worker who was allegedly assaulted at his workplace. The protest, organised by the Migrant Rights Network and the Migrant Workers Association of Aotearoa, called for greater accountability and stronger protections for migrant workers in New Zealand. The victim, Satnam Singh, was allegedly attacked at his workplace — an Auckland restaurant — on the evening of June 29. He was reportedly later found injured on the roadside by cleaning staff in the early hours of Monday. Singh, who held an Accredited Employer Work Visa, had been living and working in New Zealand for the past two years after migrating from Punjab, India. ADVERTISEMENT "We've gathered here to show our support for Satnam," said Sher Singh, a migrant advocate with the Migrant Rights Network. The protest called for greater accountability and stronger protections for migrant workers in New Zealand. (Source: He told RNZ he had been at the victim's bedside for the past few days. "He [Satnam] is recovering, but he's feeling very down. He never expected something like this happening to him in a country like New Zealand." Anu Kaloti, president of the Migrant Workers Association NZ, said that "no one should come to work expecting to be harmed". "This is shocking. We do hear of workers facing minor assaults, but this-this is on another level," she said. Anu Kaloti is the president of the Migrant Workers Association NZ. (Source: ADVERTISEMENT The protest organisers said it was time for the government and its agencies to act by upgrading the charges to attempted murder, ensuring safer workplaces for migrant workers and abolishing the Accredited Employer Work Visa. The work visa scheme had been under intense media scrutiny since reports emerged in 2023 that migrant workers on such visas were finding themselves destitute and jobless after paying large sums of money to relocate to New Zealand. A 2024 Public Service Commission review found that Immigration New Zealand did not adequately assess the risk and impact of changes to speed up processing times would have on visa abuse. The government announced major changes to the Accredited Employer Work Visa in December 2024, but a union advocate told RNZ the reforms still left migrant workers vulnerable to exploitation. Singh was recovering after surgery at Auckland City Hospital. A 26-year-old man has been arrested and charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. The man was expected to appear in Waitākere District Court on Tuesday. ADVERTISEMENT
