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 2025
- Training Modules: Accredited employers, including Recognised Seasonal Employers, will no longer need to complete Employment New Zealand’s online training modules or pay migrants for time spent completing them.
Instead, INZ will provide employers and workers with links to Employment New Zealand or INZ webpages that set out employment rights and obligations. - Construction Sector Employment: The required percentage of New Zealanders employed by certain construction businesses will drop from 35% to 15%.
What’s Changing in March 2025
- Removing the median wage requirement: The median wage thresholds for AEWV roles will be removed. Employers must still advertise roles and offer wages that align with market rates for the position and location.
The change does not affect existing employment agreements and there are no changes to the wages AEWV workers must earn to apply for residence. - Work Experience: Migrants will now only need 2 years of relevant experience instead of the current 3-year requirement.
- Job Check Process: Employers won’t need to show proof of engagement with Work and Income for their Job Check. Instead, they’ll need to declare they have advertised lower-skilled roles with Work and Income and interviewed suitable candidates.
- Visa Duration for ANZSCO Level 4 and 5 AEWV holders: The maximum duration of an AEWV for new migrants in lower-skilled roles will increase to 3 years, to align with the maximum time they can spend in New Zealand. Migrants currently on 2-year visas can apply for an additional year.
- New earning threshold to bring children: AEWV holders will need to earn at least NZ$55,844 a year to bring dependent children to New Zealand, along with meeting other eligibility criteria. This income threshold had not been increased since 2019.
Updates Effective April 2025
- Interim work rights will be extended to AEWV applicants who are applying from any work visa type or from a student visa that allows them to work during term time. This will allow them to continue with their employment while their visa is being processed.
Mid-2025: Streamlined Job Check
- A revamped Job Check process will launch mid-year, aimed at speeding up processing times for employers with low compliance risks.
November 2025: New Seasonal Work Pathways - Two new visa pathways for seasonal workers will be introduced:
– A 3-year multi-entry visa for experienced workers
– A 7-month single-entry visa for lower-skilled seasonal workers. - Existing temporary seasonal pathways will remain in place until the new visas are implemented.
Further details on the reforms to the AEWV will be available in early 2025.
For more information on these upcoming changes, visit Immigration New Zealand.
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