NZ AEWV changes

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NZ AEWV changes

Steve Baker • December 18, 2024

NZ AEWV changes

The NZ government announced some further reforms to the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) scheme, with two new pathways for seasonal workers (to be introduced later in 2025) and greater work rights for those on interim visas.

Please find a summary of these changes below – further details on the policy changes will be released in due course.

From January 2025

• Removing the requirements for completion of Employment New Zealand online modules for all Accredited Employers and Recognised Seasonal Employers (RSE), including the need to offer migrants paid time to complete these modules

• Reducing the domestic workforce threshold for triangular employers of certain construction roles from 35 percent to 15 percent

From March 2025

• Wage Thresholds for all AEWV roles will be removed. Employers will still need to advertise and pay migrants the market rate for their position. There are no changes to the wages that AEWV workers must earn to apply for residence

• Migrants will only need to demonstrate 2 years of relevant work experience instead of the current 3 years

• Increasing the visa duration for ANZSCO level 4 or level 5 AEWV holders to three years, to align with these workers maximum continuous stay allowed in New Zealand. Those currently on two-year visas will be able to apply for a further 12-month work visa

• Amending the engagement requirement with the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) – the requirement to engage with MSD will change to being declaration based. Employers will need to declare they have advertised ANZSCO level 4 and 5 roles with MSD and interviewed anyone appropriate for the role. There will no longer be a set 21-day engagement timeframe

• Increasing the income threshold for supporting dependents on an AEWV to $55,844

From April 2025

• Greater work rights for those on interim visas – interim work rights will be extended to AEWV applicants applying from any work visa type or from a student visa that allows them to work during term time, to enable them to work whilst their visa is being processed

If you have any questions, please contact us.

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