Visa warning for Christchurch employers

The rebuild operation in Christchurch is still to get underway following 2011’s devastating earthquake. The city’s depleted workforce has struggled to cope with the employment demands of the recovery operation, and employers have since turned abroad to find skilled workers to assist on the rebuild operation. However, the downside is that the rush for skilled workers has allowed immigration scams to take root, and Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has warned employers that skilled migrants’ immigration status is their responsibility and that workers must have the legal right to work in the country. INZ said that employers would be held responsible if any employee is found to be working without the correct paperwork for a New Zealand visa, even if the employer is unaware. The warning comes in the wake of a rush of immigration scams in recent months, as reported last month. Potential skilled migrants to New Zealand are advised to get in touch with us if they have any concerns regarding bogus job offers and employment services.