New Zealand Drops Wage Thresholds, Cuts Work Experience Requirements for Foreign Workers

New Zealand is set to roll out significant reforms to its Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) program starting in January 2025.

This is in response to ongoing skilled labour shortages. These changes aim to simplify the recruitment process for skilled migrants, thereby bolstering employer capacity to meet workforce demands and enhancing overall immigration efficiency. One of the most impactful revisions is the elimination of the median wage threshold for AEWV and Specific Purpose Work Visa (SPWV) roles, effective March 2025.

While employers must continue to offer salaries that reflect market rates based on job location and position, this modification seeks to ease hiring procedures. Notably, existing employment agreements and wage requirements for residence permits will remain unchanged.
Additionally, the new regulations will lower the minimum required work experience for AEWV applicants from three years to two years.

This adjustment is intended to expand the pool of eligible skilled workers, enabling employers to fill critical positions more effectively. As part of its efforts to accommodate various labour needs, New Zealand will also introduce two new visa pathways for seasonal workers in November 2025. These include a 3-year Multi-Entry Visa for experienced workers and a 7-month Single-Entry Visa for lesser-skilled seasonal labourers.

Current temporary seasonal pathways will remain available until these new options are established. Furthermore, AEWV holders in low-skill roles, specifically those categorized under ANZSCO skill levels 4 and 5, will see their visa duration extended from a standard two years (plus a potential one-year extension) to a continuous three-year term, aligning with the maximum duration allowed for such workers.

Current holders with a two-year permit may also apply for an additional one-year AEWV if they meet specific criteria. To streamline immigration processes, the New Zealand government is revising the Job Check procedure, targeting reductions in processing times and simplifying requirements for Work and Income engagement. Immigration New Zealand (INZ) is implementing enhancements to the Job Check process that will allow for quicker vacancy filling, particularly for low-risk employers.

This initiative follows significant progress where processing times for Employer Accreditation have been reduced from 62 days to an average of just 14 days. To further support migrant workers, interim work rights will be extended from April 2025 for AEWV applicants transitioning from other work or student visas, facilitating continuous employment during the application process.

Additionally, employers hiring candidates for ANZSCO skill level 4 or 5 roles will be required to engage in a mandatory 21-day timeframe with Work and Income. This obligation will shift to a declaration-based system, requiring employers to confirm that they have conducted good-faith advertising and have interviewed suitable candidates. These multifaceted reforms will be introduced in a phased manner beginning in January 2025.

Employers and prospective migrants are encouraged to stay informed about the specific timelines and requirements associated with these changes to ensure compliance. Overall, New Zealand’s overhaul of its work visa framework represents a proactive step towards addressing skilled labour shortages thus simplifying recruitment processes, and fostering economic growth.