Immigration New Zealand has announced significant changes, all set to take effect next year. These changes include:
eliminating the median wage threshold,
reducing the experience requirements to 2 years, and
introducing new seasonal visa pathways to assist employers in addressing skill shortages.
The changes will be rolled out in four different stages throughout 2025, starting in January.
Additionally, Immigration New Zealand (INZ) is revamping the Job Check step of the AEWV process. These changes aim to streamline the Job Check for low-risk employers and enhance processing times. This will be implemented from July 2025.
Other changes coming into effect from March 2025 include:
Reducing the minimum experience requirement for lower skilled migrants to two years.
Currently this is set at 3 years for skill level 4 & 5 roles
Increasing the visa duration for new applicants in Level 4-5 roles from two to three years to align with the maximum continuous stay.. This will be a welcome break for a lot of the work force, and also means that one can apply for the additional 12 months.
Extending interim work rights to AEWV applicants who are applying from any work visa type or from a student visa that allows them to work during term time. This will support migrants to maintain employment while their visa is processed. This will be a relief for all those on the waiting game, and who find it hard to balance budgets
Reduce the domestic workforce threshold for labour hire employers of certain construction roles from 35 to 15 per cent.
Amending the labour market test to a declaration-based model. Employers will need to advertise with MSD and be able to demonstrate they considered New Zealanders who applied for any role in good faith.
Inflation adjusting the income threshold for an AEWV holder to support a dependent child from NZ$43,322 to NZ$55,844.
Removing the median wage requirement
Wage thresholds for all AEWV roles will be removed. Employers still need to advertise and offer AEWV employees the market rate for their position and workplace location. This change does not affect existing employment agreements. There are no changes to the wages that AEWV workers must earn to apply for residence. (This is an important requirement)
Introducing new pathways for experienced seasonal workers
In November 2025, two new pathways for seasonal workers will be introduced,
including a 3-year multi-entry visa for experienced workers and
a 7-month single entry visa for lesser-skilled workers.
The existing temporary seasonal pathways will remain available until then.
Amending the Work and Income engagement requirement
The existing obligation for employers to interact with Work and Income will shift to a declaration-based system. Employers must affirm that they have, in good faith, advertised ANZSCO skill level 4 or 5 positions with Work and Income and interviewed candidates who might have been suitable for the role.
This process can occur concurrently with the recruitment efforts employers are already conducting in the domestic labor market. Additionally, the fixed 21-day period for engaging with Work and Income will be removed.
Removing the requirements for completion of Employment New Zealand online modules
As of 27 January 2025, the requirement for online modules will be eliminated for all existing and future accredited employers and Recognised Seasonal Employers (RSE).
Instead, INZ will offer employers and workers links to free Employment New Zealand or INZ webpages that detail employment rights and obligations at the most suitable stages of the immigration process.
What this means , that you do not have to provide evidence to show that this has been completed by the employer or the migrant employee any more.
Stay in touch for more details