The New Zealand Government has announced significant reforms to the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) system to better address skill shortages and streamline processes for employers. These include:
The changes will roll out in four stages throughout 2025, beginning in January. Additionally, Immigration New Zealand (INZ) is re-designing the Job Check step to improve processing for low-risk employers. The new Job Check process will be implemented from July 2025.
For accredited employers recruiting mainly at ANZSCO Skill Level 1 to 3 roles, the most significant upfront change will be the removal of the requirement to complete Employment New Zealand’s online modules and extended work rights for migrant employees on interim visas. Many will also look forward to what the new Job Check process will entail.
While the removal of the median wage as a proxy for skills is welcome news for many, it is important to note that employers must still offer market rates relevant to the role and location. Further details on how a market rate will be referenced and applied are expected in March 2025.
By preparing for these changes, employers can adjust recruitment strategies and ensure compliance with updated visa requirements.
| Change | Detail |
| Stage 1: From 27 January 2025 | |
| Removing the requirement to complete Employment New Zealand online modules | Accredited employers will no longer be required to complete Employment New Zealand’s online modules and they will no longer be required to offer AEWV employees paid time to complete these modules. |
| Reducing the domestic workforce threshold for certain construction roles | The percentage of New Zealanders that certain construction sector businesses must employ will reduce from 35 to 15 percent. |
| Stage 2: March 2025 | |
| 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. There are no changes to the wage thresholds for residence. |
| Reducing work experience requirement | The minimum experience requirement for lower skilled migrants is reduced from three years to two years. |
| Amending Work and Income engagement to be declaration-based | Employers will no longer have to provide evidence of engagement with Work and Income in their Job Check application. They will still need to declare they have advertised lower skilled roles with Work and Income and interviewed appropriate candidates. |
| Increased visa duration for ANZSCO Level 4 and 5 roles | The AEWV duration for new migrants in lower-skilled roles will increase to 3 years, to align with the maximum time they can stay in New Zealand on an AEWV. |
| New earnings threshold for bringing children | AEWV migrants will need to earn at least NZ$55,844 a year to bring children, along with meeting other criteria. |
| Stage 3: April 2025 | |
| Extending work rights for interim visa holders | Some work and student visa holders who apply for an AEWV can receive an interim visa with work rights, so that they can continue working while their AEWV application is being processed. |
| Stage 4: Mid-2025+ | |
| A new Job Check process | The new process will allow for greater streamlining for low-risk employers |
| New pathways for 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. |
Contact us
For a deeper discussion on the above, please reach out to your Vialto Partners point of contact, or alternatively:
Jaq Chong
Director, Immigration
Kim Gibbs
Manager, Immigration
Simply follow our Vialto Alerts page on LinkedIn and posts will be displayed on your feed. To ensure you don’t miss one, once you’re on our LinkedIn page, click on the bell icon under the banner image to manage your notifications.
Further information on Vialto Partners can be found here: www.vialtopartners.com
Vialto Partners (“Vialto”) refers to wholly owned subsidiaries of CD&R Galaxy UK OpCo Limited as well as the other members of the Vialto Partners global network. The information contained in this document is for general guidance on matters of interest only. Vialto is not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for the results obtained from the use of this information. All information is provided “as is”, with no guarantee of completeness, accuracy, timeliness or of the results obtained from the use of this information, and without warranty of any kind, express or implied, including, but not limited to warranties of performance, merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. In no event will Vialto, its related entities, or the agents or employees thereof be liable to you or anyone else for any decision made or action taken in reliance on the information in this document or for any consequential, special or similar damages, even if advised of the possibility of such damages.
© 2025 Vialto Partners. All rights reserved.