From February 28th 2024, Immigration New Zealand will be introducing the new NZ median wage rate of NZD$31.61 per hour into certain aspects of the immigration system.
Here’s what you need to know:
- Wage thresholds for key visa categories such as the Skilled Migrant Category, the Green List Straight to Residence and Work to Residence visas, and the Parent Category residence class visa will align with the new NZ median wage of NZD$31.61 per hour on February 28, 2024.
- The wage threshold for the Transport Sector Work to Residence Visa will also increase in accordance with the new median wage, excluding bus drivers.
- However, the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) will remain at its current rate of NZD$29.66 per hour, as announced by the Government in December.
- Additionally, a pause on increases applies to AEWV-linked work visas set at or indexed to the NZ median wage rate from February 2023 (NZD$29.66 per hour). This includes visas like the Partner of a Worker Work Visa, variations of conditions for AEWVs and subsequent Migrant Exploitation Protection visas.
- The purpose of this pause is to allow time for exploring alternatives to the median wage threshold, so that New Zealand can continue to addresses genuine skill shortages.
- For migrants already holding an AEWV paid at the paused wage rate (NZD$29.66 per hour), they can continue accruing work experience for Skilled Residence despite the increased wage requirements. However, they will need to meet the skilled residence pathway rate in line with the median wage when they apply.
- Migrants who don’t yet hold and AEWV and are seeking to apply for Skilled Residence pathways in the future should be aware that they will need to meet the higher threshold of NZD$31.61 per hour, rather than the lower rate required for an AEWV.
If you need further help on how this impacts you, don’t hesitate to contact us.
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