New Year – new work visa changes

The government has announced changes to the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) scheme to be rolled out through 2025. It's great news for business!

From 27 January 2025

• Employers no longer need to complete Employment NZ online modules.

• Employers no longer required to offer migrant workers paid time to complete the Employment NZ online modules.

• Certain construction sector businesses are required to employ 15 per cent of New Zealanders in their workforce before they can recruit migrant workers (down from 35 per cent).

In March 2025

• The median wage will no longer apply to AEWV applications. Employers must pay at least the minimum wage. A word of caution - before the introduction of the median wage as a proxy for a AEWV some migrant workers were being paid less than the market pay rate. Immigration NZ will check job offers are being paid at the market/going rate to ensure migrant workers are not paid less than Kiwis for doing the same job.

• AEWV applicants must prove 2 years of relevant work experience (reduced from 3 years). The alternative to proving work experience is a qualification equal to a New Zealand Level 4 or higher qualification.

• Lower-skilled jobs must be advertised nationally (e.g. on Seek) before applying for a job check. However, employers are no longer required to provide evidence they have engaged with Work and Income (WINZ). Instead, employers will declare they advertised lower-skilled roles with WINZ and interviewed local candidates who might be able to fill the job. Expect Immigration NZ to make random checks with WINZ to ensure declarations are true.

• The duration of an AEWV for lower-skilled roles increases to 3 years. This will be the maximum time an AEWV holder can remain in NZ. Anyone holding a 2-year AEWV will be able to apply for a further 12 months. One application (as opposed to two or more) means only one government application fee to pay. The cost savings for employers and migrant workers will be considerable.

• The income threshold for migrant workers to bring their children to New Zealand increases to NZ$55,844 per annum (last increased in 2019).

In April 2025

• Selected work and student visa holders applying for an AEWV will receive an Interim Visa with work rights while the AEWV application is being processed. Granting people the authority to work quickly while a visa application is under process will benefit business considerably.

• The minimum wage increases to $23.50 an hour on 1 April 2025. Any AEWV applications (job checks or visas) lodged on or after 1 April must include a pay rate of not less than $23.50 an hour.

In mid-2025

• A new job check process to deliver improved processing timeframes and streamlining for low-risk employers. Anything that makes the system move faster is good for employers and migrant workers.

In November 2025

• Two new visa pathways for seasonal workers (think jobs such as ski instructors, winemakers, jet boat or bungee operators etc). One visa will offer a 3-year multiple entry work visa for experienced workers and a 7-month single entry work visa for lower-skilled workers.

That is a lot of change to roll out this year. All of this is positive and will benefit business considerably by reducing wait times for migrant workers to fill jobs, lower visa application costs and reduce red tape. As with anything related to immigration, the devil is always in the detail.

To learn more about how this may impact your business, talk to the team that understands the details and provides the best immigration advice. Contact us today.