Removal of the Second Migrant Exploitation Protection Work Visa (MEPV) and Refinement of Exploitation Scope

Policy effect

Disestablished the ability for migrants on an initial MEPV to obtain a second 6-month MEPV extension, restricting the visa to a single non-renewable grant of up to 6 months. In addition, the definition of migrant exploitation was tightened to require a direct link to a genuine employment relationship, expressly excluding lawful redundancies and unrecovered wages resulting solely from formal corporate liquidations.

Conditions and exceptions

Validated condition or limit: Disestablished the ability for migrants on an initial MEPV to obtain a second 6-month MEPV extension, restricting the visa to a single non-renewable grant of up to 6 months.

Official source excerpt

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

… to the Migrant Exploitation Protection Work Visa Published 17 October 2024 Topics Policy, law and strategy Immigration rules and processes From 31 October 2024 the ability to get a second Migrant Exploitation Protection Work Visa (MEPV) has been removed. Today, the Government announced changes to the Migrant Exploitation Protection Work Visa. Changes to Migrant Exploitation Protection Work Visa — Beehive.govt.nz What is changing? From 31 October 2024, the ability to be granted a second MEPV will be removed. This means that, if anyone has an initial MEPV, and applies for a second MEPV on or after 31 October, their application will be declined. Migrants who have made a credible report of exploitation will still be able to be granted a MEPV of up to 6 months, or until the expiry of their current visa (whichever is lesser) to allow them to leave the exploitative situation and remain lawfully in New Zealand while they find a new job. People whose initial MEPV expires up to and including 30 November 2024, will have until 30 October to apply for a second MEPV if they wish to do so. Other changes include: clarifying that situations involving lawful employment terminations, non-payment of final wages due to liquidation and redundancies do not meet the definition of migrant exploitation refining the definition of migrant exploitation to specify that exploitation must be linked to a genuine employment relationship. You can find more information on the MEPV: Migrant Exploitation Protection Work Visa These changes support the Government’s work to encourage reporting and enable migrants to leave exploitative situations and maintain the integrity of New Zealand’s immigration system. Reporting migrant exploitation Migrant exploitation can be reported to Employment New Zealand using their …

Review method

Two separate automated exact-claim source reviews

Other New Zealand changes operative in 2024

• 2024-04-01Immigration Employment Infringement Scheme
• 2024-04-07Changes to the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) for employers and visa applicants
• 2024-06-10Expansion of Open Work Rights for Partners of Students in Green List Programmes
• 2024-06-16Disestablishment of AEWV Franchisee Category
• 2024-09-04Fijian citizens granted a New Zealand transit-visa waiver
• 2024-10-01International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) Increase
• 2024-10-01Maximum Duration Extension for Visas Granted to Partners of New Zealanders
• 2024-10-01Part-Time Work Rights for Migrant School Leavers Awaiting Residence
• 2024-10-24Vietnam Working Holiday Scheme Quota Increase
• 2024-11-19Post Study Work Visa Instructions Amendment (Consecutive Enrolments & Eligible Qualifications Expansion)