Essential skills visas have been granted for both barista and cafe worker jobs because employers were able to demonstrate there were no New Zealanders available to do the work. It approved nearly 15,000 essential skills work visa applications in that time and declined about 1500, including some received before March 19. An Immigration NZ spokesman said essential skills work visas were employer-assisted, meaning the visa was linked to a role being offered. Supplied Simon Laurent says there may be legitimate reasons why essential work visa applications have been approved for low skilled jobs. Infometrics senior economist Brad Olsen said he was surprised by many of the jobs for which visa applications had been approved.

Source: Stuff November 24, 2020 16:01 UTC