New Zealand Strengthens Work Visa Regulations to Limit Entry of Partners and Children

New Zealand has made new rules for work visas that affect some people with Accredited Employer Work Visas (AEWV). These new rules are stricter.

According to the Immigration New Zealand website, people with AEWVs in jobs that are level 4 and 5 by the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) cannot sponsor visas for their partners or children unless they have a way to get residency.

These new rules are similar to the old Essential Skills Work Visa rules and started earlier this year.

Important Information

The government says that even if partners and children of AEWV holders can’t get sponsored visas, they can still try to get their own New Zealand visas. They can apply for AEWV or student visas if they qualify.

• These rules began on June 26 and do not affect:
• People who already have visas as partners or dependent children.
• AEWV holders in level 4 and 5 jobs with a clear path to residency, like those on the Green List or with specific agreements.
• People earning at least 1.5 times the average salary for the Skilled Migrant Category.

The New Zealand government says these rules are to handle high migration levels. They have also added a language requirement for people applying for low-skilled jobs.

The language rule helps foreign workers understand their rights and talk to their employers. Plus, the new rules reduce the time low-skilled workers can stay from five years to three years and add minimum skill and experience requirements for most jobs.

Key Points

New Zealand still wants to bring in skilled workers, especially for jobs with shortages like secondary education teachers.

Statistics show more than one million people came to New Zealand in the first three months of 2024. Most came on visitor visas (602,404), followed by Australians (274,417), residents (158,867), and workers (51,338).

On April 7, the New Zealand government also announced changes to make their visa program more appealing to skilled workers and create a sustainable immigration system.

Immigration Minister Erica Stanford said they need a smarter immigration system that controls how many people move to New Zealand and fits the current economic needs. She said the goals are to bring in top talent, support international education, ensure sustainability, and improve risk management.