New Zealand’s government made immediate changes to an employment visa programme, citing “unsustainable” net migration and flagging further potential changes.

The alterations include introducing an English-language requirement and reducing the maximum continuous stay for a range of lower-skilled roles for the Accredited Employer Worker Visa, according to a statement issued on Sunday (Apr 7). Minimum skill and work experience criteria will apply to most jobs covered by the programme.

“These changes are the start of a more comprehensive work programme to create a smarter immigration system that manages net migration, responds to our changing economic context, attracts top talent, revitalises international education, is self-funding and sustainable, and better manages risk,” Immigration Minister Erica Stanford said in the statement.

The release estimated that migration last year was a near record 173,000 non-New Zealand citizens. The country’s population stands at about 5.1 million. 

While the central bank recently softened the threat of another interest-rate hike, it has previously warned that the population jump might add to inflation due to extra demand for houses and rental accommodation.

The working-age cohort increased at a slower pace in the year through March, suggesting that the surge in foreign workers may have peaked. BLOOMBERG

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