Immigration changes starting 10th March 2025

Median wage requirements:

Employers will no longer be required to pay the median wage for Accredited Employer work visa (AEWV) and Specific Purpose work visa (SPWV) visa holders. Now, the only pay threshold will be the New Zealand minimum wage which is currently $23.15 and increases to $23.50 from 1st April 2025.

Employers must pay migrant workers in line with New Zealand market rates, ensuring equal pay with local workers. You can find information on average rates for occupations in New Zealand by visiting the Careers website jobs database here.

Sector Agreements that allowed for lower wages for certain roles will be removed and these roles will no longer have limitations on visa duration or caps, and will be treated the same as other jobs of similar skill levels. Sector Agreements offering residence pathways will remain but won’t require changes to the wage rates.

It is important to remember if you plan on applying for residence via the Skilled Migrant Category that the median wage requirement still needs to be met.

Work experience:

The required work experience for migrants will be reduced from 3 years to 2 years, employers are still responsible for ensuring workers meet this new threshold. Workers must also be suitably qualified for the role they are applying for, this means they must have any qualifications and/or experience and any other skills as listed as the minimum requirements in the Job Check.

MSD engagement:

Employers will now be required to declare in good faith that they have advertised ANZSCO skill level 4 and 5 with the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) and interviewed local candidates, you must also keep evidence of this engagement.

Visa length:

The visa duration for ANZSCO Level 4 and 5 AEWV holders will be extended from 2 years to 3 years

Dependent children:

The income threshold to sponsor dependent children will rise from NZD $43,322.76 to NZD $55,844, this aligns to be 80% of the median wage.

ANZSCO skill levels:

With INZ transitioning from the use ofANZSCO to the new NZ Stats, National Occupation List (NOL), there are differences with the classification of some roles, and to ensure there applicants are not disadvantaged certain occupations will be reclassified to ANZSCO Skill Level 3 to match the NOL. This includes roles such as cooks, fitness instructors, and scaffolders.

Interim visa conditions:

People on interim visas will be allowed to work while waiting for the result of their AEWV application; and any time spent on work-eligible interim visas will count toward the migrant’s continuous stay and work experience for work to residence pathways.

Upcoming Median Wage Changes (Effective from 28 February 2025):

Partner Sponsorship:

AEWV holders supporting a partner will need to meet a new wage threshold of NZD $26.85.

Parent Sponsorship:

The income threshold for sponsoring a parent for residence under the Parent Category will increase to align with the new median wage of NZD $33.56.