Just updating our February 2025 blog
On March 10, 2025, New Zealand introduced major changes to the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) simplifying any requirements. Employers and employees on existing AEWV visas need to comply with current requirement unless and until the visa is varied.
Median Wage removed Under the AEWV and Specific Purpose Work Visa employer do not need to pay the median wage. Instead, they must pay at least the New Zealand minimum wage, which is $23.50 per hour as of April 1, 2025, and ensure wages align with the “market rate” for the role. Of course, market rate could be higher than the medium wage in some industries but will often be lower. INZ have issued detailed advice on this: Visa Pak 618 If you as an employer had a job check approved at median wage you can now offer a job at less than median wage so long as it is the market rate. The market rate will be assessed at the work visa application stage. We can advise further on this. This change does not affect existing employment agreements. There are no changes to the wages that AEWV or SPWV workers must earn to apply for residence.
Reduced work Experience Requirement: This has been reduced from three years to two years. Note: Applicants for lower skilled roles will still have to meet English tests if in a Skill Level 4/5 role and also meet the “Suitably Qualified” test which may be higher than the minimum skills test.
Simplified Engagement with the Ministry of Social Development MSD for lower skilled roles Employers recruiting for ANZSCO skill levels 4 and 5 roles (lower skilled) are no longer required to provide evidence of engagement with the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) in their Job Check application, but must still declare good faith engagement and retain evidence. There will also no longer be a set 21-day timeframe for the engagement with Work and Income. They should retain evidence of this process for potential verification.
Extended Visa Duration for Lower-Skilled Roles: The visa length for new AEWV holders in ANZSCO skill levels 4 and 5 has been extended from two to three years, aligning with the maximum continuous stay permitted under the AEWV. This means instead of having to apply for two years and then apply again for a third year, you will get three years from the off. hose currently on a 2-year visas will be able to apply for a further AEWV for 1 year if they meet the requirements.
Removing the requirements for completion of Employment New Zealand online modules
The requirements regarding online modules will be removed from 27 January 2025 for all current and future accredited employers and Recognised Seasonal Employers (RSE). INZ will instead provide employers and workers with links to freely available Employment New Zealand or INZ webpages.
New Income Threshold for Supporting Dependent Children:
AEWV migrants will need to earn at least NZ$55,844 a year to bring children, along with meeting other criteria. This is to 80% of the median wage based on a 40-hour week. This is based only on minimum guaranteed hours in the employment agreement not on actual hours worked. Check your agreement!
Reclassification of Certain Occupations
With the transition from the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) to the National Occupation List (NOL), some roles have been reclassified to higher skill levels. Occupations such as Cook, Pet Groomer, Kennel Hand, Nanny, Fitness Instructor, Scaffolder, and Slaughterer are now considered ANZSCO skill level 3. Additionally Agricultural and Horticultural Mobile Plant Operator, Excavator Operator, Forklift Driver, and Mobile Plant Operators (not elsewhere classified: “NEC” ) are recognized as ANZSCO skill level 3 when the job requires either three years of experience or a level 4 qualification. These roles will be eligible for 5 year visas and the holder will be able to support partners (if partner income levels are met).
Expansion of when a Job Token can be re-used:
Anyone who has applied for or been granted an AEWV before 10 March will be able to re-use their job token to extend their visa to the balance of 3 or 5 years regardless of their skill level, provided the job remains the same, is in the same location and is paid no less than what was on the existing visa. There are several exceptions for role sthat were paid under medium wage.
Updates to Interim Visa Work Rights:
From 8th April 2025, applicants awaiting the outcome of an AEWV application will have interim work rights if they apply while holding any type of work visa or a student visa that permits work during term time. Time spent on such interim visas will count towards the total continuous stay under the AEWV and for gaining work experience needed for skilled migrant and work-to-residence pathways.
Contact us
Contact us today for legal advice on your eligibility for New Zealand citizenship. We would be happy to assist you in completing the final step of your immigration journey.
Immigration instructions and rules regularly change and applied differently in every case. The above general information was up to date as it March 2025: contact our office for most up-to-date information.
