On the 17th December 2024, the Government introduced significant reforms to the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) scheme, a seasonal work pathway, and work rights for Interim Visa holders. These changes aim to address skill shortages, streamline processes, and support both employers and migrants. The reforms will be rolled out in four stages throughout 2025. Read on for a summary of the key updates. January 2025 Accredited Employers and Recognised Seasonal Employers (RSEs): Employers will no longer need to complete Employment New Zealand’s online modules or provide paid time for migrants to complete them. INZ will instead provide links to information on employment rights and obligations. Construction Sector Thresholds: For certain construction roles, the requirement for businesses to employ a percentage of New Zealanders will drop from 35% to 15%. March 2025 Removal of Wage Thresholds: Wage thresholds for all AEWV roles will be eliminated. Employers must still offer the market rate for the role and location. This change does not affect wages required for AEWV workers applying for residence. Reduced Work Experience Requirements: Migrants applying for AEWVs will need only two years of relevant work experience, down from the current three years. Revised Job Check Requirements: Employers will no longer have to provide evidence of engagement with Work and Income. Instead, they must declare that they have advertised lower-skilled roles with Work and Income and interviewed suitable candidates. Extended AEWV Duration: The visa duration for migrants in lower-skilled roles (ANZSCO Levels 4 or 5) will increase from two years to three years, aligning with the maximum stay permitted. Current visa holders on two-year visas may apply for an additional year. Updated Earning Threshold for Migrants with Children: Migrants must earn at least NZ$55,844 annually to bring their children to New Zealand, meeting other criteria. This threshold remains unchanged since 2019. Further implementation details will be announced in early 2025. April 2025 Greater Work Rights for Interim Visa Holders: Work and student visa holders transitioning to an AEWV will gain work rights during the processing of their applications. This change supports migrants in maintaining employment while awaiting their new visas. Mid-2025 Enhanced Processing for Low-Risk Employers: Immigration New Zealand (INZ) will redesign the Job Check process to streamline applications and improve timeframes for low-risk employers. November 2025 New Seasonal Worker Visas: Two new pathways will be introduced: A three-year multi-entry visa for experienced seasonal workers. A seven-month single-entry visa for lesser-skilled seasonal workers. Existing temporary seasonal pathways will remain available until November 2025. Other Notable Changes Domestic Workforce Threshold for Construction Roles: Employers in specific construction roles will face a reduced requirement to hire New Zealanders, with thresholds dropping to 15%. Streamlined Engagement with Work and Income: The requirement for a 21-day engagement period with Work and Income will be removed. Employers will declare their compliance with good-faith advertising and candidate consideration. For further details, visit the Government’s announcement on the Immigration New Zealand website. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to us today!
