New Zealand Updates Accredited Employer Work Visa Rules Starting March 2025

Dive Right Into

Key Takeaways

New Zealand removes the median wage requirement for AEWV workers starting March 10, 2025, linking pay to the minimum wage instead.
Work experience for AEWV eligibility reduces to two years, and visa duration for low-skilled roles increases to three years.
AEWV holders face a higher income threshold of NZD 55,844 for bringing dependents, aligned with 80% of the median wage.

New Zealand 🇳🇿 is preparing to roll out significant updates to its Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) program starting March 10, 2025. These updates are designed to fill labor shortages, boost the economy, and simplify the visa process for employers and workers alike. Announced in December 2024, the changes aim to make the program more adaptable to meet the varying demands of businesses across different industries and regions.

Major Changes to the AEWV Program Starting March 10, 2025

New Zealand Updates Accredited Employer Work Visa Rules Starting March 2025

End of Median Wage Threshold

One of the most noticeable changes involves the removal of the median wage threshold for workers under the AEWV and Specific Purpose Work Visa (SPWV). Previously, employers had to meet a wage benchmark reflecting New Zealand’s median wage. Starting March 10, 2025, this requirement will be eliminated. Instead, the minimum pay for migrant workers will be pegged to New Zealand’s minimum wage, which will rise to NZD 23.50 per hour on April 1, 2025.

Although the median wage requirement is being removed, employers must still offer salaries that match the New Zealand market rate for the role. This ensures fair pay and seeks to avoid undercutting wages of local workers. This change offers more leeway for employers, particularly in industries facing acute worker shortages, while continuing to protect migrant workers from unfairly low wages.

Reduced Work Experience Requirement

Another vital revision relates to the work experience criterion. Previously, migrants needed at least three years of relevant experience to qualify for the AEWV. As of March 10, 2025, this requirement will be reduced to two years. This simplifies access to the AEWV for skilled workers and opens up opportunities to a larger pool of prospective applicants. Employers, however, must confirm and document that prospective employees meet the two-year experience requirement.

Extended Visa Duration for Low-Skilled Jobs

For low-skilled roles categorized as ANZSCO Level 4 and Level 5, the maximum visa duration will increase from two years to three years. This update allows for longer job stability for workers in such roles while ensuring the total period these workers can stay in New Zealand under the AEWV does not exceed three years in any case. This extension is expected to appeal to both employers and workers, especially in industries like agriculture, construction, and caregiving.

Flexible Labor Market Test Requirements

Employers hiring for lower-skilled roles will now navigate a more simplified process when advertising positions. Instead of meeting complex approval processes, businesses must only declare in good faith that they have consulted with the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) and considered any potentially suitable local candidates. While evidence of these efforts must still be retained for future audits, the declaration-based system is expected to ease the administrative load on employers.

Higher Income Threshold for Supporting Family

AEWV holders intending to bring dependent children will now face a higher annual income threshold, increasing from NZD 43,322.76 to NZD 55,844. This adjustment corresponds to 80% of New Zealand’s updated median wage. The threshold will also rise alongside future changes to the median wage. This change reflects the government’s effort to ensure families are adequately supported while living in New Zealand, especially given the increasing cost of living nationwide.

Additional Modifications Effective March 10, 2025

Removal of Sector-Specific Agreements

The removal of sector agreements tied to the median wage threshold is another major update. These agreements previously exempted certain industries from paying the median wage to migrant workers. Even without these agreements, pathways to residence under sector agreements remain intact. Wage requirements for residency applications will not see any modifications, preserving incentives for long-term migration.

Adjustment to English Language Rules

Significant relaxation of English language requirements is set to take place. Starting March 10, 2025, some ANZSCO Level 4 jobs will be treated as ANZSCO Level 3 roles when it comes to English proficiency standards. This update notably reduces barriers for migrants in essential but lower-skilled occupations, helping to fill critical labor gaps.

Application Processing and Interim Work Rights

AEWV applications lodged before March 10, 2025, but not yet processed will be subject to potential exceptions, with Immigration New Zealand applying more flexible policies for approvals. Applicants may submit updated employment information during this period. Additionally, beginning in April 2025, interim visa policies will expand to allow AEWV applicants applying from various visa categories—such as student visas—to retain work rights while their application is in progress. This change safeguards stability for migrants during visa transitions.

What This Means for Employers

Employers will experience a blend of flexibility and responsibility under the new AEWV rules. With fewer barriers like the median wage threshold and simplified MSD engagement requirements, the recruitment process for overseas workers will become more straightforward. However, employers must maintain meticulous records of recruitment efforts and ensure that migrant pay aligns with market expectations.

Abolishing median wage thresholds doesn’t mean lowered standards. Employers hiring workers under the AEWV must continue to provide evidence of fair pay practices. In addition, those wishing to hire lower-skilled workers under ANZSCO Level 4 and 5 roles must complete a declaration confirming domestic recruitment efforts, which might be audited later.

Some compliance processes are also becoming less rigid. For example, the obligation for employers to complete Employment New Zealand online modules will be lifted by January 2025. New employers will instead be briefed by Immigration New Zealand about their rights and responsibilities, streamlining on-boarding processes.

Implications for Migrants

For potential and current AEWV workers, these changes bring a mix of improved access and extended opportunities. The reduced work experience threshold lowers entry barriers, allowing more skilled migrants to qualify. The elimination of strict English-language criteria for some roles further opens up eligibility, supporting workers in fields like caregiving and construction.

Migrants also benefit from increased visa durations, especially for low-skilled positions that previously capped at two years. Those with families, however, must consider the higher income threshold if planning to bring dependent children into the country. Lastly, interim visa rights provide much-needed continuity, ensuring employment isn’t interrupted during visa processing delays.

Broader Context and Future Changes

The March 10, 2025, reforms are part of a broader effort by New Zealand 🇳🇿 to reshape its immigration system to better fit the nation’s evolving workforce needs. The government has signaled these adjustments are just one phase in a year of sweeping immigration updates. Plans for two seasonal visas addressing sector-specific demands and redesigning the Job Check step for low-risk employers are just some of the initiatives expected in late 2025.

These changes will be closely monitored, offering Immigration New Zealand valuable insights into whether easing restrictions on the AEWV effectively addresses labor shortages while maintaining fair treatment of migrant workers. Early 2025 may bring further details on the implementation of these and other related policies.

Taking the Next Steps

Employers and migrants should focus on preparing for these changes in advance of March 10, 2025. Employers may need to update their recruitment practices and ensure pay scales meet market rates, while migrants need to verify their eligibility based on the revised criteria.

Interested parties can refer to the official Immigration New Zealand website for more information about the Accredited Employer Work Visa program and upcoming reforms: Immigration New Zealand AEWV page. As reported by VisaVerge.com, staying proactive and informed will be crucial for navigating this evolving immigration landscape.

The reforms, ultimately, aim to strike a balance—making it easier for migrants to contribute to New Zealand’s economy 🇳🇿, all while safeguarding local labor interests.

Learn Today

Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) → A New Zealand work visa allowing employers to hire migrants for specific roles while meeting government criteria.
Median Wage Threshold → A benchmark salary reflecting New Zealand’s median wage, previously required for certain visa applications, now removed under AEWV reforms.
ANZSCO → Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations, a system categorizing jobs by skill level and type for visa purposes.
Interim Visa Policies → Temporary regulations enabling migrants to retain work rights while their visa applications are processed or transitioned.
Labor Market Test → A process ensuring employers attempt to hire local workers before recruiting migrants, simplified under the updated AEWV program.

This Article in a Nutshell

New Zealand Revamps Work Visa Rules
From March 10, 2025, New Zealand’s Accredited Employer Work Visa program undergoes major updates: no median wage threshold, reduced experience requirements, and extended visa durations. These changes simplify hiring, boost economic growth, and fill labor gaps. Employers and migrants should prepare now to seize opportunities in this dynamic, worker-friendly immigration overhaul.
— By VisaVerge.com