New rules for Accredited Employer Work Visa

The New Zealand government, through the Minister of Immigration, recently implemented significant changes to the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV). These new rules will impact current and prospective AEWV holders.

Accredited Employer Work Visa

The Accredited Employer Work Visa is the main New Zealand work visa that employers use to hire foreign workers from various countries. This temporary work visa allows individuals to live and work in New Zealand for up to five years depending on factors such as salary, time of your initial AEWV application, and job classification under the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO).

Key changes and their implications

These recent changes can be grouped into these categories:

1. Duration of stay: Individuals currently holding an AEWV will experience changes to the length of stay in New Zealand. Those in ANZSCO level 4 and 5 jobs, who applied for their first AEWV before 21 June 2023, and are paid at or above the required wage rate, may no longer be eligible for the full five years maximum duration.
2. Pathway to residency: Current holders of AEWV in ANZSCO level 4 and 5 positions who are on a pathway to residency in New Zealand, will not be affected by these updated rules.
3. Eligibility criteria: New Applicants or Visa holders interested in a further AEWV on or after 7 April 2024, must meet the updated eligibility criteria. Nonetheless, those on ANZSCO level 4 and 5 jobs may still face limitations regarding maximum stay in New Zealand especially if their salary is at the February 2023 median wage or below. Find out the updated eligibility criteria below.

Updated eligibility criteria:

The New Zealand government has set higher work experience and qualification requirements including standard of English for people with roles at ANZSCO level 4 and 5.

1. Minimum standard of English – New applicants in ANZSCO level 4 and 5 roles must prove their ability to speak and understand English. Fortunately, this requirement may not apply to their partners or children.
2. Minimum skill requirements – New minimum skill requirement will need to be met by new applicants with exemption to those in green list roles that have meet the role requirements or those paid at least twice the median wage. Prior to this, foreign workers were just required to meet skills and requirements of the job. From 7 April 2024, migrant workers will need to provide, in addition to the job requirement, evidence of 3 years or more of relevant work experience or copies of relevant qualification at level 4 or above of the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF). The proof of work experience must be from someone else.Additional requirements applies for holders of qualifications below Bachelor’s degree level (an International Qualification Assessment (IQA) is required and your qualification or work experience must be in the same field or industry as the job you have been offered).
3. Duration of stay – as previously mentioned, some workers in ANZSCO level 4 and 5 jobs whose initial visa application was submitted on or before 7 April 2024 or before 21 Jun 2023 will have their maximum continuous stay reduced to 3 years. Which means their maximum visa length will be reduced to 2 years with the ability to apply for one more year with a new job check. Workers employed in ANZSCO level 4 and 5 jobs  that are on the green list, in transport and care sector agreement, and on a pathway to residence, earning 1.5 times the median wage will not be affected by these changes. ANZSCO level 4 and 5 job holders will also not be affected by this reduction in maximum continuous stay.

What is maximum continuous stay?

This is the total amount of time in New Zealand on one or more AEWV. It is vital for foreign workers and their employers as it allows the visa holder to continue working for their employer for that period. During this time, the worker can apply for a further AEWV before their current one ends. How long you can stay in New Zealand depends on factors such as salary when you applied for your first AEWV, and the ANZSCO level of your job.

What happens after reaching maximum continuous stay?

You will need to spend a specified amount of time in a row outside New Zealand depending on which side you fall on the February 2023 median wage rate. The minimum time is normally 12 months (4 months if you work in a meat or seafood processing role and earn below February 2023 median wage rate). Learn how to calculate your maximum stay through this link

What is ANZSCO level?

Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations serves as a standard way to collect, analyze, and share job data in Australia and New Zealand. It is reviewed and updated when needed. The version in use for New Zealand work assessment depends on the type of visa you are making application for. The in-demand visa, that is SMC, AEWV and all temporary visas use version 1.3 while all other visas use version 1.2. Exemptions apply but this is left at the discretion of INZ. For instance, 5 Skill level 4 and one skill level 5 roles are currently recognised at skill level 3 or higher pending the individual’s work experience, occupational registration, a relevant qualification. For code and skill level, click version 1.3 or version 1.2.

Find ANZSCO level 4 and 5 roles below:

Apply for AEWV balance

To apply for your AEWV balance, you need to submit a new AEWV application and pay a new visa application fee. It is recommended to wait until your existing AEWV is near its expiration before submitting this this new application. Applying too early could complicate things if your circumstances change, as you might have to seek a different visa or modify the terms of your current one (variation of conditions). Your employer is required to provide you with a link, also known as a job token, to apply for a new AEWV. You may be able to reuse your original job token if you applied for your AEWV before on or before 6 April 2024 but conditions apply. Find out these conditions here. When applying, you must fulfill all the criteria for the AEWV, including the new English language and skill requirements that will be effective from 7 April 2024.