Book an Appointment
Starting March 10, significant changes will be implemented for foreign workers doing jobs in New Zealand. Some of the New Zealand rules for overseas workers are effective February 28, while most others are as of March 10, 2025.
New Zealand has introduced changes to the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) rules, impacting both employers hiring migrants and foreign workers applying for the visas. There are changes announced for salary thresholds, work experience, visa duration, and median wages.
Employers hiring under the seasonal Specific Purpose Work Visa (SPWV) and AEWV policies will no longer be required to pay the median salary from March 10, 2025. Rather, the New Zealand minimum wage will be the sole set pay barrier. The current minimum wage in New Zealand is NZD $23.15 per hour, but it will increase to NZD $23.50 on April 1st. Employers will be forced to pay migrant workers the same as their New Zealand equivalents.
Starting March 10, 2025, the annual income criterion will rise from NZD $43,322.76 to NZD $55,844, representing 80% of the median earnings and coinciding with partner work rights eligibility based on an annual, 40-hour work week. It will be updated annually to reflect changes in the median wage.
The previous income level will continue to apply when a kid held a visa or applied for one before March 10th; this guarantees that children who are currently in New Zealand do not have to leave if their parent meets the old threshold but not the new one.
The three-year work experience requirement for foreign workers will be reduced to two years beginning March 10, 2025. Applicants must still provide confirmation that they meet the 2-year barrier, and employers must confirm that their migrant worker meets the requirement.
From March 10, 2025, the visa length for new ANZSCO Level 4 and 5 AEWVs will be increased to three years, reflecting the total period they can stay in New Zealand on one or more AEWVs (the maximum continuous stay).
From 28 February 2025, AEWV holders who want to support a partner will still be required to meet the wage threshold, which is increasing to NZD $26.85 an hour.
From 28 February 2025, income thresholds for sponsors under the Parent Category will indexed to the new median wage of NZD $33.56 an hour.
Furthermore, from March 10, 2025, businesses must declare in good faith that they advertised lower skilled positions with the Ministry of Social Development, interviewed appropriate people, and kept evidence of their involvement.
If a foreign worker applied for an AEWV before March 10, 2025, but wants it processed under the new standards, New Zealand Immigration may make an exception depending on the specific circumstances of the application.
If your AEWV is being processed on March 10, 2025, you should have already provided proof of three years of work experience with your application. However, if you just have two years of work experience, New Zealand Immigration will approve your application if it is submitted by March 10, 2025.
Furthermore, if you are applying for an AEWV and have been given a position at ANZSCO skill level 4 or 5, you must meet English language criteria. English language restrictions will be removed for all ANZSCO skill level 4 jobs from March 10, 2025, and will be considered as ANZSCO skill level 3 jobs. This applies even if your employer’s employment check was granted before March 10, 2025.
Source: https://www.financialexpress.com/business/investing-abroad-new-zealand-revises-income-and-work-experience-criteria-for-foreign-workers-3773171/
