What is changing for people with an AEWV?

If you applied for your first AEWV before 21 June 2023 and are in an ANZSCO level 4 and 5 job paying at or above the required AEWV wage rate, and currently hold a three year AEWV, you will no longer be able to access the maximum time of five years

If you are in an ANZSCO level 4 and 5 job on a pathway to residence, you will not be affected by changes to the maximum continuous stay and visa duration.

If you apply for a further AEWV on or after 7 April 2024, you will have to meet the updated criteria. If you are in an ANZSCO level 4 and 5 job you may not be able to stay and work in New Zealand for the maximum time of five years.

What is changing for new AEWV applications?

There are now higher work experience and qualification requirements, a standard of English for people applying to work in roles assessed as ANZSCO skill level 4 and 5, and a shorter stay in New Zealand if you are working in specific roles.

• New minimum skill requirement
• New minimum standards of English
• Shorter visa length and stays in New Zealand for some jobs for applicants.

Employers

• need to ensure the applicant is suitably qualified and skilled,
• migrants must be employed for at least 30 hours,
• the grounds for suspending accreditation have been expanded,
• the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) skill levels are being introduced into the assessment of AEWV applications
• there is now a definition of “suitable and available New Zealanders”
• tell Immigration New Zealand when a migrant leaves their job
• extra rules for ANZSCO level 4 and 5 jobs
• franchisee accreditation will end in late 2024 with franchisee employers able to apply for standard, high-volume, or triangular employment accreditation, depending on their circumstances.

Families

The government has made further changes to the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) scheme. From 26 June 2024, AEWV holders in ANZSCO level 4 or 5 roles can no longer support work, student or visitor visa applications for their partners and children.

Partners and dependent children can still apply for their own work, student or visitor visas if they meet immigration instructions in their own right.

These changes do not affect:

• people that already hold visas as a partner or dependent child of an AEWV holder
• in progress applications (these applications will be considered against the requirements in place on the date of application)
• AEWV holders in ANZSCO level 4 or 5 roles with a pathway to residency. This includes those in roles on the Green List or a Sector Agreement with a residence pathway, and those earning at least 1.5 times the relevant median wage threshold.
• AEWV holders in ANZSCO level 1,2 or 3 roles.