The Government has announced changes to the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV), which will be rolled out throughout 2025. Immigration Minister Erica Stanford claims the changes will support businesses in securing the skills and experience New Zealand needs.
“A responsive immigration system is fundamental to rebuilding the economy,” said Stanford.
“Earlier in the year, we made initial changes to the AEWV to get unsustainable net migration under control and reduce migrant exploitation. Since then, Immigration NZ has also made operational changes and focused on the upskilling of immigration officers to mitigate risk, significantly increase productivity, and speed up AEWV processing.”
The changes will be rolled out in five phases throughout 2025. The first phase started in January, followed by updates in March, April, July, and November.
From January 2027
Employers no longer need to complete Employment NZ online modules and are no longer required to offer migrant workers paid time to complete them.
Additionally, the percentage of New Zealanders required in construction sector businesses before they can recruit migrant workers has decreased to 15%.
The previous 35% domestic workforce requirement for some construction roles has now been reduced to 15% for all jobs in the sector, including landscapers. The domestic workforce threshold for landscapers remains unchanged at 15%, and these changes will not impact current employment arrangements for AEWV holders employed in this role.
From March 2025
The medium wage will no longer apply to AEWV applications. Employers must now pay at least the minimum wage.
AEWV applicants must now prove two years of relevant work experience (reduced from three years) or a qualification equal to a New Zealand Level 4 or higher.
There will be a change in how lower-skilled jobs are advertised. While still required to be advertised nationally, employers no longer have to provide evidence of engagement with Work and Income (WINZ).
The duration of an AEWV for lower-skilled roles will increase to three years. Anyone currently holding a two-year AEWV can apply for an additional 12 months.
The income threshold for migrant workers to bring their children to New Zealand has increased from $43,322 to $55,844 per annum.
Further changes
From April, some work and student visa holders applying for an AEWV will be granted work rights via an interim visa while their AEWV application is processed.
From November, there will be two new seasonal visas: a three-year multiple entry and a seven-month single entry.