Hi Everyone,

Hope you are all keeping safe during these times.

I have a question regarding my SMC Resident application and unfortunately, I'm having trouble finding any relevant threads.

As per operational manual, employment in New Zealand will be assessed as skilled if (a)(i) employment is $25.50 per hour or above and (c) the employment is full-time (employment is full-time if it amounts to, on average, 30 hours per week over an agreed pay period).

I'm working in the construction industry and due to Level 4 lock down for the past month, my employer has chosen to proceed the coming 6 weeks with the Wage Subsidy and has decided to reduce my working hours to almost half (Less than 20 hours per week) to suit the wage subsidy. This ensures that my salary rate per hour stays the same, but with less working hours per week.

My question is, given my newly adjusted working hours, will this have an impact on my current SMC Resident Visa application? If it does, can you please enlighten me on the next probable steps? Do I need to advise INZ on the changes to my working hours?

I lodge my application in Feb 2019 and have been waiting for a CO allocation since then. It'll be so disheartening if INZ decides not to proceed with my application given the current situation.

Any advise is truly appreciated, thanks.