Median Wage Increase to Impact Visa Eligibility from 18 August 2025
From 18 August 2025, New Zealand’s median wage will increase to NZ$33.56 per hour, up from the current NZ$31.61. This change will have a direct impact on visa eligibility settings across several key immigration pathways. For applicants under the Skilled Migrant Category, including both the Green List Straight to Residence and Work to Residence visas, […]
INZ Expands List of Qualifications Exempt from Assessment
From 23 June 2025, Immigration New Zealand (INZ) will update and broaden the List of Qualifications Exempt from Assessment, offering a more efficient route for visa applicants with overseas qualifications. This update introduces qualifications from nine additional countries, meaning applicants from these nations may no longer need to undergo an International Qualification Assessment (IQA) when […]
2025 reforms to the AEWV Announced
As an early Christmas present, Immigration New Zealand have announced a number of reforms to the AEWV (Accredited Employer Work Visa), that are set to roll out across 2025. These changes aim to simplify processes, and include removing wage thresholds, easing work experience requirements, and improving the Job Check process. Key Changes Starting 27 January […]
Latest AEWV Processing Times
Immigration New Zealand have just updated their processing times for Accredited Employer Work Visa applications, Job Checks and Employer Accreditation. Visa/product type Average wait time 80% of applications Employer accreditations for AEWV Accreditation renewals 5 weeks 5 weeks 11 weeks 11 weeks Job checks (All roles) Job checks (Green list roles) Job checks (ANZSCO […]
Changes to Work Rights for Partners of Migrant Workers in New Zealand
From 2nd December 2024, the New Zealand government will expand open work rights to more partners of migrant workers. These changes aim to strengthen family ties and help fill critical gaps in the workforce. Key Changes: Eligibility for Open Work Rights: Partners of migrants holding an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) can receive open work […]
Significant changes to the Accredited Employer Work Visa
The New Zealand Government has announced significant changes to the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) scheme, which are in place from today (7th April 2024). Current AEWV holders These changes do not impact AEWV holder’s current visa conditions or length, but may impact how long they can stay in New Zealand. They don’t impact already […]
Wage increase for AEWV paused
The New Zealand Government has announced they will paused the planned increase of the median wage rate for the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) that was due to be introduced in February 2024. This means that the current wage rate of NZ$29.66 per hour will stay in place for most AEWVs. And the Care Workforce […]
Accredited Employer Work Visa extensions
From 27th November 2023, the maximum visa length for the AEWV increased from 3 to 5 years. If you currently hold a 3-year AEWV (that you applied for before 27th November 2023) and you are paid at least the median wage, you can apply to get the balance of the longer 5-year visa. Partners and […]
List of qualifications exempt from assessment updated
The “List of Qualifications Exempt from Assessment” is a list which compares overseas qualifications to comparable New Zealand qualifications. If your qualification appears on this list, you do not need to pay for an International Qualifications Assessment (IQA) through the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) for your resident visa application, which can be both time […]
New median wage from February 2024
The New Zealand median wage will be increasing to NZ$36.61 per hour from February 2024 (currently NZ$29.66 per hour). This is going to impact a number of visas which have wage thresholds based on the median wage, including the Accredited Employer Work Visa, Skilled Migrant Category Visa, and some occupations in the Green List or […]
Changes to Accredited Employer Work Visas
From November 2023, the maximum duration of an Accredited Employer Work Visa will be extended from 3 years to 5 years After spending 5 years on an AEWV, you will need to spend 12 months outside of New Zealand, unless you are on a pathway to residence or have a residence application pending. Existing AEWV […]
New Accredited Employer Search Tool
Immigration New Zealand have launched a new Accredited Employer search tool. This makes it easier to see which employers already have accreditation in New Zealand. You can access the new Accredited Employer search tool here. This tool is particularly useful for the partners of work visa holders, who are granted a work visa with the […]
Changes to work conditions for partners of Work Visa holders from 31st May 2023
Immigration New Zealand have confirmed the changes to visa conditions for the partners of Work Visa holders, that will be in effect from 31st May 2023. New work conditions for partners of Work Visa holders (AEWV and ESWV holders) Successful applications for a Partner of a Worker Work Visa, made on or after 31st May […]
Teaching roles added to the Work to Residence pathway
The NZ Government has confirmed that Tier 2 of the Green List will be expanded from 29th May 2023, to include a number of teaching roles. These teaching roles will be added to the Work to Residence Green List pathway from 29th May. As a result, eligible teachers will be able to apply for residence […]
Work to residence pathway for bus drivers and truck drivers
The New Zealand government has announced a new transport sector agreement. This will provide a two-year work to residence pathway for critical transport occupations such as bus drivers and truck drivers. Median wage exemption for bus drivers Employers will have a median wage exemption set at $28 an hour when hiring bus drivers for an […]
INZ Extends Accreditation Period for Employers
Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has announced that it is extending the initial accreditation period for Accredited Employer Work Visa employers, to provide them with more certainty as they get used to the accreditation system. Employers who are currently accredited do not need to take any action. Their accreditation will be automatically extended for 24 months […]
New Zealand median wage increase
On 27th February 2023 the New Zealand median wage is increasing to NZD $29.66. This will impact the criteria to be eligible for an Accredited Employer Work Visa, and other visas (including the Skilled Migrant Work Visa, the Green List and Highly Paid Resident Visas) which also have median wage-related criteria. AEWV Job Checks If […]
Job Change enabled for Accredited Employer Work Visas
Immigration New Zealand have introduced the ability to apply for a variation of conditions (VOC), known as a Job Change, for Accredited Employer Work Visas (AEWVs). You can apply for a Job Change to change your employer, job, location or a combination of these. Your employer will need to be accredited and have a valid job […]
Accredited work visa roles exempt from the median wage threshold
Accredited work visa roles exempt from the median wage threshold A transition arrangement has been put in place to allow for certain roles within the construction, care, tourism and hospitality sectors to be recruited at slightly lower than the median wage, on an Accredited Employer Work Visa. A pay threshold must still be met: Specific […]
Changes to the Accredited Employer Work Visa
Changes to the Accredited Employer Work Visa Immigration New Zealand have announced a number of changes to the new Accredited Employer Work Visa, which will replace the Essential Skills Work Visa and Talent (Accredited Employer) Work Visa, when it launches on 4 July 2022. They have confirmed that it will be open to applications from […]
Updated border reopening plan announced
Updated border reopening plan announced It was announced today that the New Zealand border will reopen to vaccinated Kiwis and other current eligible travellers from Australia at 11.59pm on 27 February 2022 and to vaccinated Kiwis in the rest of the world on 13 March 2022. The requirement for these groups to stay in MIQ […]
New Accredited Employer Work Visa temporarily deferred
The new Accredited Employer Work Visa, that was due to launch on 1st November 2021, is being deferred until the middle of 2022. In the meantime, the New Zealand Government has announced changes to simplify process for renewing an Essential Skills Work Visa, if you remain in the same job. Find out more about the […]