New Zealand work visa rules are shifting again

New interim work rights for Accredited Employer Work Visa applicants.

 Start working sooner, check your pay, and get advice if your job is at risk.

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Interim work rights now available

From 8 April 2025, people applying for an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) who hold a work visa (of any kind), or a student visa (with work rights), will be granted interim work rights. This lets them get started in the job listed in the AEWV application before the work visa is decided.

This means AEWV applicants can:

• Start jobs quickly rather than waiting for the AEWV application to be decided
• Claim the work experience on the interim visa towards their work to residence pathway

If the AEWV is declined, the interim visa with work rights will expire 21 days after the decision. The time spent on an interim visa will also count towards the maximum continuous stay allowed in New Zealand if the applicant already held an AEWV.

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Minimum wage increase

From 1 April 2025, the minimum wage increased to $23.50 per hour. Before applying for an AEWV, check that your hourly pay (including for salaried roles) meets or exceeds this amount.

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Market rate checks continue

Job offers included in AEWV applications are assessed by Immigration Officers to ensure the pay rate is at or above the market rate. Immigration New Zealand uses a range of tools to determine the current rate for each occupation.

We have seen a number of applications run into problems where the Immigration Officer decided the offered pay was below market rate. This is a complex area. To avoid delays or declines, it’s best to get immigration advice before applying for any type of work visa that includes a job offer.

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Redundancy while on a visa

If you face redundancy while holding a work visa, it can be a stressful time. You may be worried about having to leave New Zealand, but there are visa options that may allow you to stay while searching for new employment.

Accredited Employers are normally expected to notify Immigration New Zealand if a visa holder leaves their role. Do not wait until your job has been disestablished or your role changes before getting advice. If your employer begins a consultation process and your position is part of the discussion, talk to a licensed immigration adviser right away.

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