New Zealand is inviting wealth expat entrepreneurs to take up 400 gold plated visas over the next four years.
The government wants to lure foreign money into the country for investment in start-ups with a new Global Impact Visa trial running for the next four years.
The visas will give special residence and working terms to entrepreneurs who see New Zealand as a launch pad for new businesses.
“We want young, innovative and talented entrepreneurs to consider New Zealand as the place to start their businesses,” said Immigration Minister Michael Woodhouse.
“These individuals will be at the leading edge of a program to create jobs and prosperity in the country.”
The visa trial is not open yet – the minister has yet to name a private sector partner to help manage the selection process for allocating the visas.
Companies on watchlist
The Singapore government has placed 100 companies on a watchlist because they are not doing enough to employ locals ahead of expats.
Minister of Manpower Lim Swee argued that Singapore workers with experience and qualifications to do a job are overlooked by some employers.
The watchlist acts as a warning to companies to improve recruitment strategies – and if they do not, the government will restrict or withdraw employment pass quotas for expats.
“The government is focussed on supporting local residents finding work and we feel helping some companies revise their hiring policies will help this,” said the minister.
“We do not expect companies to give the jobs to locals as a right, they should still have relevant experience and qualifications for the post.”
Singapore has a jobless rate of 1.9%.
Unions to sign off job offers
Unions in Sweden will have the final say on job offer letters for expats looking for work permits.
Offer letters must go to the appropriate union prior to the expat applying for a work permit.
The process is expected to take three to five business days to complete.
“The change in the process should reduce turnaround times,” said a government spokesman.
“The letters have always gone to the unions, but from the Swedish Migration Board rather than directly from employers.
“We found queries over contracts or employment terms delayed the process because they came back to us and then to the company.”
