New Zealand Simplifies Immigration: Key Changes to Visa and Employment Rules
New Zealand Immigration Changes: A New Era for Work and Family Visas
In a landmark move to address critical immigration concerns, New Zealand has introduced comprehensive updates to its visa and employment requirements. These New Zealand immigration changes aim to make the process more accessible for migrants while aligning with market needs. The updates include removing wage thresholds for specific visa categories, reducing experience requirements, and creating innovative pathways for seasonal workers.
Wage Thresholds Eliminated for AEWV and SPWV Roles
One of the most impactful updates is the removal of wage thresholds for Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) and Specific Purpose Work Visa (SPWV) roles. While employers are still required to advertise jobs at the market rate for the specific position and location, this adjustment eliminates a significant barrier for skilled migrants.
Importantly, the removal of the wage threshold does not affect existing employment agreements or the wages required for migrants to apply for residence.
New Earnings Requirement to Support Families
To promote family unification, AEWV migrants must now earn at least NZ$55,844 annually to bring their children to New Zealand. This figure, unchanged since 2019, reflects an effort to balance economic considerations with family well-being.
Lower Experience Threshold for Migrants
In a move to attract talent while addressing workforce shortages, the required experience for skilled migrants has been reduced from three years to two. This change ensures migrants remain adequately qualified while meeting the demands of the local labor market.
Innovative Pathways for Seasonal Workers
From November 2025, New Zealand will launch two new pathways for seasonal workers:
- A 3-year multi-entry visa for experienced workers.
- A 7-month single-entry visa for lesser-skilled workers.
These options provide greater flexibility for seasonal roles, particularly in industries like agriculture and horticulture.
Extended Visa Duration for ANZSCO Level 4 and 5 Workers
Acknowledging feedback from consultations, the duration for AEWVs in Level 4 or 5 roles under the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) will increase from two to three years. This update aligns with the maximum continuous stay permitted for these workers. Current holders of two-year visas may apply for an additional year if eligible.
Streamlined Employer Processes
To ease administrative burdens:
- Work and Income Engagement: Employers now need only declare good-faith efforts in advertising roles locally, eliminating the rigid 21-day timeframe.
- Interim Work Rights: From April 2025, interim work rights will be extended to AEWV applicants transitioning from other visa types, ensuring job continuity during visa processing.
- Removal of Online Module Requirements: As of January 2025, Employment New Zealand online module completion requirements will be eliminated for accredited employers and Recognised Seasonal Employers (RSE). Instead, links to employment rights resources will be provided at appropriate stages.
Lower Threshold for Construction Roles
To address shortages in the construction industry, the domestic workforce threshold for certain roles has been reduced from 35% to 15%.
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