Amid a persistent labor market shortage, New Zealand has introduced significant updates to its visa and employment requirements to streamline immigration processes. These changes aim to simplify immigration pathways for both employees and employers with adjustments to work experience criteria, salary adjustments and visa durations.
To overcome the stockpiling of labour, the New Zealand government has reduced the work experience criteria for migrants from three to two years. The move will help capable workers more easily find employment in New Zealand while meeting the requirements of their positions.
The country has also introduced two new pathways for seasonal workers to stay in New Zealand – a three-year multiple-entry visa for experienced seasonal workers and a seven-month single-entry visa for low-skilled workers. These pathways are designed to accommodate seasonal labor demands.
Additionally, the average salary criteria for the Government Recognized Employer Work Visa (AEWV) and Specific Purpose Work Visa (SPWV) have been removed. Under the new rules, although employers are obliged to post job opportunities and offer salaries as per the market rate for the role and location, they are no longer required to meet predetermined salary criteria. This gives employers freedom while maintaining equal worker remuneration.
For immigrants wishing to bring their children to New Zealand, AEWV holders must now earn at least NZ$55,844 annually. This minimum threshold, which has not been changed since 2019, is intended to ensure that migrant families can sustain themselves financially while living in the country.
In addition, New Zealand has extended the two-year visa period to three years for jobs that fall under Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) skill levels 4 or 5. Current workers in these jobs are on two-year visas, and those who meet the requirements can ask for a one-year extension.
Employers are also no longer required to follow the 21-day mandatory recruitment period of work and income when posting job opportunities for skill level 4 or 5. They simply need to advertise and interview qualified applicants to demonstrate that they are attempting to recruit locally.
The government has reduced the domestic workforce criteria for certain roles from 35 per cent to 15 per cent to address the labor shortage in the construction industry, making it easier for companies in the sector to fill vacancies.
From this year, accredited employers are also not required to complete online training modules provided by Employment New Zealand. Instead, Immigration New Zealand will offer easily accessible resources on employment rights and responsibilities.
From April 2025, migrants who wish to transition to AEWV from a student visa or other work will be granted interim work authorisation.
In a move that will benefit Indian students pursuing higher education in New Zealand, Wellington has revised the Post Study Work Visa (PSWV), allowing students to live and work in the country for up to three years, depending on their qualifications. Will get it. The new rules will ensure that students completing a master’s degree after a postgraduate diploma do not lose eligibility for a post study work visa.
