Smooth path for talented workers

By AUDREY YOUNG

Approved employers will be able to recruit high-paid staff from overseas under a new "talent visa" that will operate outside the usual points system.

Employees recruited under the scheme will be eligible for permanent residency after two years, so long as they have an offer of continuing employment.

The employee will have to earn at least $45,000 a year but the employer will not have to define the actual position before getting approval.

Immigration Minister Lianne Dalziel said yesterday that the move would give New Zealand businesses easier access to the global talent pool.

She envisaged it being used by the software industry and other high-technology manufacturers.

"We're not talking about displacing low-paid positions."

There would be no cap on the number of talent visas issued. But the total would come off the present general-skills category, which accounts for 17,000 of the annual target of 45,000 permanent-residence approvals.

The Immigration Service would work with industry and union representatives to develop the criteria for approved employers.

The factors would include the track record of the business, its employee relations and its record of industry training.

"This is not to be a cop-out in terms of New Zealand employers' obligations to play a role in industry-skills development."

Immigration policies had to be flexible because not all migrants wanted to move permanently.

"This is an option where an employer can say to somebody 'you can come and work for me for two years. At the end of the two years you are guaranteed residence in our country but that is a choice you can make at that time'.

"That is something employers haven't been able to do under the very strict criteria of the points system."

The system is expected to start next April.