Changes to the Accredited Employer Work Visa

Several changes rolled out in March that migrant workers holding Accredited Employer Work Visas (AEWV) need to know.

These include:

• The median wage ($31.61 per hour) is removed as a minimum income requirement for a job offer to be acceptable as part of an AEWV application.
• The median wage is replaced with the minimum wage ($23.50 per hour effective 1 April 2025) as the base income requirement plus the pay rate must be the market rate. Immigration NZ will use a number of open sources to assess the market rate.
• The removal of the median wage is not a reason to offer lower pay rates to migrant workers as this will cause problems with job checks and work visa applications if the pay rate is not the market rate.
• The relevant work experience held by a work visa applicant that matches the NZ job offer reduces from 3 to 2 years.
• AEWV holders must now earn at least $55,844 per annum to support dependent children who want visas to be in New Zealand with their parent(s). In February, increases were made to the minimum income requirements of AEWV holders wanting to bring partners with them to New Zealand.

People who entered New Zealand with an AEWV when the border reopened in July 2022 may hold visas due to expire this year. If the goal is to apply for residence, then now is the time to get an assessment to see if you qualify. Get in touch for a free eligibility assessment.

Anyone holding a visa that expires in 2025 should talk to a licensed immigration adviser to understand what options there are to extend the visa. Planning ahead will avoid any nasty surprises such as having to leave the country without sufficient time to wrap up personal affairs.

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