69618 (2024). Ricardo Menéndez March to the Minister of Immigration

69618 (2024). Ricardo Menéndez March to the Minister of Immigration: What, if any, is the rationale for setting the wage threshold for open work rights to partners of high-skilled migrants at 80% of the median wage?

Hon Erica Stanford: Setting the wage threshold at 80% of the median wage for higher-skilled Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) holders’ partners to be eligible for open work rights simplifies the settings for partners and increases the facilitation for and attraction of skilled migrants. This change supports the Government's efforts to create a world-class immigration system which attracts and retains the skills and experience New Zealand needs to grow our economy. Being more attractive for sought-after migrants will help increase the proportion of higher-skilled workers. These settings reverse changes to tighten partner work rights made by the previous Government and bring us more in line with pre-pandemic settings. Previously, under the Essential Skills visa category settings, visa holders in higher-skilled roles could support their partner if they met a similar remuneration threshold.