Do you intend to relocate to New Zealand, or are you already employed there? Starting on March 10, 2025, the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) program will undergo significant modifications. The modifications aim to make the visa procedure easier, offer better employment prospects for migrant employees, and improve job safety.
This article outlines everything you need to know about these reforms, from comfortable income conditions to expanded visa terms. Be prepared to take advantage of these new Land of the White Cloud prospects.
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Accredited Employer Work Visa
The Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) allows employers to employ migrant employees for specific employment opportunities in New Zealand. Employers must satisfy particular conditions. The AEWV is a route to working and prospectively settling in New Zealand.
Major Changes In Accredited Employer Work Visa
Beginning on March 10, 2025, New Zealand is significantly modifying the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV), which affects incomes, employment qualifications, visa periods, and family sponsorships. Understand how these updates impact employees and employers.
No More Median Income Condition
- Starting date: March 10, 2025
- The median income condition will be removed for holders of AEWV and Specific Purpose Work Visa (SPWV).
- Employers must reimburse a minimum of the New Zealand minimum income, which will increase to $13.49 hourly on April 1, 2025.
- Migrant employees are still required to have incomes equal to those of their New Zealand counterparts.
- Industry consensus will be removed, but residence route agreements will remain unmodified.
Wider Access To Employment With Lower Income Barriers
Employers can now hire international employees at the minimum wage, extending employment prospects while decreasing employment expenses. Migrants will experience fewer income-associated limitations, making it more straightforward to enter the workforce.
Decreased Job Skill Conditions
- Effective date: March 10, 2025
- AEWV candidates will only require 24 months of job skills rather than the past 36 months.
- Employers are required to confirm these conditions via adequate documentation.
Quicker Eligibilities For Skilled Employees
Decreasing the job skill conditions from 36 months to 24 months hastens the employment procedure. Skilled employees can get employment faster, reducing job delays and quickly completing skill shortages.
Eased Employer Employment Procedure
- Effective date: March 10, 2025
- Employers of low-skilled positions (ANZSCO Level 4 and 5) must disclose their involvement with the Ministry of Social Development(MSD).
- Retaining publicity accounts and interviews will still be needed.
Facilitated Recruitment For Employers
Employers of low-skilled positions are now only required to state their involvement with the Ministry of Social Development (MSD). This makes the employment procedure more efficient while ensuring fair hiring practices.
Extended Visa Period For Low-Skilled Employees
- Effective date: March 10, 2025
- AEWV holders in ANZSCO Level 4 and 5 employment will now be eligible for a 36-month visa, which offers excellent stability and employment safety.
Longer Stay For Low-Skilled Employees
Expanding AEWV visas for Level 4 and 5 professions to 36 months offers more excellent employment stability. Employees can plan long-term jobs without usual disclosures, which benefits workers and employers.
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The Higher Income Threshold For Family Sponsorship
- Effective date: March 10, 2025
- The revenue for sponsoring dependent kids will rise from $24,875 to $32,065 annually.
- This threshold represents 80% of the median income and will be updated yearly.
- The past threshold stays authentic for applications presented before March 10, 2025.
Higher-Income Is Required For Family Sponsorship
The elevated earning threshold implies that international employees must be paid more to support dependent children. This guarantees financial stability for families but may make it more difficult for lower-revenue employees to be eligible.
Reclassification Of Professions
Beginning from March 10, 2025, specific employments will be upgraded to ANZSCO Skill Level 3, enabling employees to have access to better employment opportunities:
- Nanny (421113)
- Pet Groomer (361113)
- Slaughterer (831212)
- Cook (351411)
- Fitness instructor (452111)
- Kennel Hand (361115)
- Scaffolder (821712)
Furthermore, the following positions will be regarded as Skill Level 3 if the employer needs 36 months of skill or Level 4 certifications:
- Mobile plant operators (721999)
- Excavator Operator (721214)
- Forklift driver (721311)
- Agricultural & horticultural Mobile plant operator (721111)
Better Professional Routes For Skilled Migrants
Re-categorizing some professions as higher-skilled enables employees to access better visa alternatives. This modification benefits key industries by attracting more eligible experts with explicit residency routes.
Work Rights For Interim Visa Holders
- Effective date: April 2025
- Candidates changing from a work visa or student visa with work liberties can operate on an interim visa while awaiting AEWV judgments.
- Time spent on a conditional visa will count towards AEWV’s continuous stay and work-to-residence qualification.
Stronger Employment Security For Visa Candidates
Interim visa holders can now work while waiting for AEWV authorization. This deters job openings, guarantees steady earnings, and enables employees to be lawfully hired during processing delays.
Income Modifications For Family Sponsorship
- Effective date: February 28, 2025
- The income threshold for sponsoring a spouse will rise.
- The earning threshold for parent category sponsors will increase.
Higher Financial Thresholds For Family Sponsorship
Migrants supporting spouses or parents will be required to satisfy higher income conditions. While this boosts financial security for households, it may restrict sponsorship qualifications for lower-earning employees.
What These Changes Mean For You
If you already hold an AEWV, your visa requirements will remain unchanged. Hence, after March 10, 2025, new candidates will benefit from more sparse qualification conditions, more extended visa periods, and more straightforward employment procedures.
These modifications present new prospects and a more flexible route to working in New Zealand for employers and migrant employees.
