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The Restaurant Association welcomed the government’s announcement of changes to the Skilled Migrant Category resident visa.
Restaurant Association chief executive Marisa Bidois says the industry has long advocated for pathways to attract, recruit and retain overseas talent to help address the skills shortage.
“While we are disappointed that we will have to wait almost nine months for these changes to be implemented, these pathways will ensure that those with a wealth of experience in crucial roles can help to upskill our domestic hospitality workforce by sharing their skills, without worrying about expiring visas,” says Marisa.
The Skilled Work Experience pathway will provide residency for migrants in skilled roles who have at least five years of directly relevant work experience, including at least two years in New Zealand where they’ve been paid at least 1.1 times the median wage.
“Staffing challenges and skills shortages, particularly for senior roles, have consistently been one of the most pressing issues raised by our members over recent years,” says Marisa.
“Pathways to residency were also a key recommendation at our 2024 Hospitality Summit, which provided a roadmap for addressing key challenges facing New Zealand’s hospitality industry. We are pleased these changes are being made,” says Marisa.
The Restaurant Association says it will monitor the implementation of the changes over the coming months to ensure they are fit for purpose and meet the needs of the industry.
