Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) March 2025 Overhaul

Policy effect

Eliminates the mandatory median wage threshold for AEWV and Specific Purpose Work Visa recruits, reduces the minimum relevant prior work experience requirement from three years to two years, and extends visa duration for ANZSCO Level 4 and 5 roles to three years. Concurrently increases the annual income threshold required to support dependent children to NZD 55,844.

Conditions and exceptions

Validated condition or limit: Eliminates the mandatory median wage threshold for AEWV and Specific Purpose Work Visa recruits, reduces the minimum relevant prior work experience requirement from three years to two years, and extends visa duration for ANZSCO Level 4 and 5 roles to three years.; Concurrently increases the annual income threshold required to support dependent children to NZD 55,844.

Official source excerpt

Quoted verbatim from the official source below. Ellipses indicate omitted text.

Announcement Changes to the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) and median wage Published 20 February 2025 Topics Work Policy, law and strategy Hiring workers Employment A number of changes will be made to the AEWV in March 2025. Changes will also be made to the median wage in February 2025. In December 2024, the Government announced reforms to the AEWV to make the settings more flexible and responsive to the differing needs of businesses in certain sectors and regions. As a result of this, Immigration New Zealand (INZ) will be rolling out a number of changes over the course of 2025. Phase 2 … of these changes are as follows. Remove the median wage requirement from AEWV and Specific Purpose Work Visa (SPWV) From 10 March 2025, employers recruiting workers under the AEWV and seasonal SPWV policies will no longer be required to pay the median wage. Instead, there will be no set pay thresholds except the New Zealand minimum wage (currently NZD $23.15 an hour, increasing to NZD $23.50 an hour on 1 April). Employers will however, still be expected to pay migrant workers on par with their New Zealand counterparts (the New Zealand market rate). Sector Agreements which provided an exemption … wage exemptions for AEWV workers Reducing the work experience requirement for migrants from 3 years to 2 years From 10 March 2025 the work experience requirement for migrants will be reduced from 3 years to 2 years. Employers still have to check that their migrant worker meets the threshold, and applicants will still need to provide evidence that they meet the 2-year threshold. This change will still make sure that migrants have enough experience to help minimise the risks of exploitation. Amending the requirement for employers to engage with the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) From 10 March … 5 AEWV holders to 3 years From 10 March 2025 the visa length for new ANZSCO Level 4 and 5 AEWVs will be extended to 3 years, matching the total time they can stay in New Zealand on 1 or more AEWVs (their maximum continuous stay). Increasing the income threshold for supporting dependent children From 10 March 2025 the income threshold will be increased from an annual threshold of NZD $43,322.76 to NZD $55,844. This is 80% of the median wage (aligning with eligibility for partner work rights) based on an annual, 40-hour work week. It will be updated annually in line with changes to the median wage …

Review method

Two separate automated exact-claim source reviews

Other New Zealand changes operative in 2025

• 2025-01-27Authorisation of Remote Work on Visitor Visas and NZeTA
• 2025-02-03Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) Advance Request for Cargo and Cruise Crew
• 2025-03-17Tightening Health Criteria for Dependent Children of Temporary Visa Holders
• 2025-04-01Active Investor Plus Visa Category Restructure
• 2025-04-01Mandatory ETA Requirement for Cargo Ship Crew and Passengers
• 2025-04-28Addition of Timor-Leste to the Recognised Seasonal Employer Scheme
• 2025-05-26Relaxation of Certified Translation Mandate for Visitor Visa Applications
• 2025-05-29Alignment of Temporary Entry Decline Reasons and Natural Justice Standards
• 2025-08-18Addition of 10 Trade Occupations to the Green List Work to Residence Pathway and Median Wage Threshold Update
• 2025-09-29Introduction of Parent Boost Visitor Visa Prescribed Fees and Levies
• 2025-09-29Introduction of the Parent Boost Multiple-Entry Visitor Visa
• 2025-11-03Implementation of National Occupation List (NOL) Skill Level 1–3 Classifications for Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) Instructions
• 2025-11-21Adjustment of Immigration Levy for Business Investor Work Visa