17 December 2024: In a significant reform to NZ Work Visa, the New Zealand Government has announced a range of changes to the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV). These reforms will better meet the country’s economic needs, help businesses find the workers they need, and create a fairer, more balanced immigration system. The changes will be introduced in stages throughout 2025.
Key Changes and Dates:
- No More Median Wage Threshold (From March 2025):
Employers will no longer have to meet a median wage requirement. They must still pay the market rate for the job in their region, and this will not affect current employment agreements or the wages needed for AEWV holders to gain residence. - Less Work Experience Required (From March 2025):
The required work experience for lower-skilled migrant workers will drop from three years to two, making it easier for qualified workers to find employment. - Longer Visa Duration for Certain Roles (From March 2025):
Migrants working in ANZSCO level 4 or 5 jobs will be granted visas for three years instead of the current two-year visa plus a one-year extension. - Interim Work Rights (From April 2025):
Anyone applying for an AEWV from a work visa or a student visa (with work permission) will get interim work rights. This means they can keep working while their new visa is processed. - Simplified Labour Market Test (From March 2025):
Employers must declare that they advertised the role through Work and Income and considered any suitable New Zealand applicants. The mandatory 21-day waiting period will be removed, making the process more flexible. - Higher Income Threshold for Dependent Children (From March 2025):
The income threshold for AEWV holders to bring their children will increase from NZ$43,322 to NZ$55,844, reflecting current living costs. - Lower Threshold for Construction Employers (From January 2025):
Labour-hire companies filling specific construction jobs will see their domestic workforce threshold cut from 35% to 15%. This change should make it easier to fill important roles. - Seasonal Visa Pathways (Late 2025):
Two new seasonal work visas will be introduced—one offering a three-year multi-entry option for experienced seasonal workers and another allowing a single seven-month entry for less experienced workers. Existing seasonal visas will remain until then. - No More Online Module Requirements (From 27 January 2025):
Employers and Recognised Seasonal Employers will no longer need to complete Employment New Zealand’s online modules. Instead, Immigration New Zealand will guide them to reliable, free information on employment rights and obligations.
Further Improvements:
Immigration New Zealand plans to simplify the AEWV Job Check step, especially for low-risk employers, to speed up processing times and improve efficiency.
Official Comments:
Immigration Minister Erica Stanford says these changes are key to supporting the economy. Initial adjustments made earlier this year helped control immigration levels and reduce migrant exploitation. Since then, Immigration New Zealand has trained staff and improved operations, cutting median Employer Accreditation processing times from 62 days to 14 and doubling productivity in the Job Check process.
She also confirmed that following the coalition agreement with ACT, the median wage threshold would be removed in March 2025. The previous system sometimes forced businesses to pay migrants more than local workers doing the same job or raise prices to maintain fairness.
More Details:
Additional information about these reforms will be released in early 2025. For the latest updates, visit the official Beehive website or the Immigration New Zealand portal.
Reference
https://www.immigration.govt.nz/
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