Migrant Exploitation Protection Work Visa: What do you need to know?

The government has introduced new Migrant Exploitation Protection Work Visa to support migrant workers caught up in exploitation by unscrupulous employers.

This was announced on Thursday, July1.

This visa will allow the migrant worker to leave their current job quickly while the exploitation is being investigated.

The visa will be for 6 months and will allow the holder to work for any employer anywhere in New Zealand.

Before applying for this visa, the applicant will have to have their report of exploitation assessed by Employment New Zealand and have been given a Report of Exploitation Assessment Letter.

The applicant will need to apply for this visa within 1 month of reporting their exploitation.

They will not have to pay fees or supply medical or police certificates to apply for this visa.

This visa will be granted for up to six months depending on the time remaining on their current visa.

Applicants under this category of visa cannot include dependent children in their visa application, but they can apply for visas based on their relationship with the main applicant.

This new visa category is part of a wider Government initiative to combat all forms exploitation supported by $50m in funding over 4 years.

The government is also starting a new dedicated 0800 number and web form to make it easier to report migrant worker exploitation.