KIWI Act: Should the U.S. and New Zealand Have a Reciprocal Immigration Policy for Skilled Immigrants? (S. 2245)

What is S. 2245?

(Updated November 15, 2018)

This bill was enacted on August 1, 2018

This bill ― the KIWI Act ― would include New Zealand in the list of foreign states whose nationals are eligible for admission into the United States as E-1 and E-2 non-immigrants if the Government of New Zealand treats United States nationals similarly.

The bill’s full title is the Knowledgeable Innovators and Worthy Investors (KIWI) Act.

Argument in favor

Expanding the flow of skilled immigrants between the U.S. and New Zealand -- two historic allies -- would benefit both countries' economies.

Argument opposed

The U.S. and New Zealand shouldn’t pursue a reciprocal immigration relationship for skilled workers and investors.

Impact

Immigrants; skilled labor; and immigration agencies.

Cost of S. 2245

A CBO estimate of this bill is unavailable.

Additional Info

In-Depth: Sens. Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) and Mike Lee (R-UT) recently introduced the bipartisan Knowledgeable Innovators and Worthy Investors (KIWI) Act, in a bid to make the US E1 treaty trader and E2 treaty investor visas accessible to New Zealand citizens. It’s hoped that the KIWI act will lead to an increase in international business between the U.S. and New Zealand. The newly introduced legislation comes as the two countries reached 75 years of diplomatic relations.

“By extending trade and investment visas, the KIWI Act will help further spur economic growth and job creation in Hawaii and across the United States,” Hirono said. Sen. Lee added that “New Zealand has always been a strong ally of the United States, and both nations have benefited tremendously from our continued economic cooperation.”

Businesses in New Zealand argue that a lack of access to US E1 and E2 visas has hindered their ability to increase trade and investment in the United States. Senators Hirono and Lee claim that by allowing New Zealanders to apply for E1 and E2 visas, the KIWI Act will expand business and investment opportunities between the two nations. The Government of New Zealand has expressed support for the bill.

Leon Grice, the US-NZ council chairman, said he thought the bill would be beneficial to New Zealand and entrepreneurs:

"New Zealand is one of the few close friends of the United States that doesn't have that visa class. It's something that we've been lobbying for. And it's something the Embassy's been working really hard on for a number of years."

This legislation passed the Senate Judiciary Committee and the Senate as a whole unanimously, and has the support of seven bipartisan cosponsors -- including five Republicans and two Democrats.

Media:

• Stuff Magazine
  
• Republican Policy Committee