Changes to the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) and median wage

20 February 2025

A number of changes will be made to the AEWV in March 2025.

Changes will also be made to the median wage in February 2025.

In December 2024, the Government announced reforms to the AEWV to make the settings more flexible and responsive to the differing needs of businesses in certain sectors and regions. As a result of this, Immigration New Zealand (INZ) will be rolling out a number of changes over the course of 2025.

Phase 2 of these changes are as follows.

Remove the median wage requirement from AEWV and Specific Purpose Work Visa (SPWV)

From 10 March 2025, employers recruiting workers under the AEWV and seasonal SPWV policies will no longer be required to pay the median wage. Instead, there will be no set pay thresholds except the New Zealand minimum wage (currently NZD $23.15 an hour, increasing to NZD $23.50 an hour on 1 April).

Employers will however, still be expected to pay migrant workers on par with their New Zealand counterparts (the New Zealand market rate).

Sector Agreements which provided an exemption to the median wage will be removed alongside this change. Sector Agreements which offer residence pathways will continue to do so, with no changes to the wage rate required to gain residence.

The removal of sector agreements means that roles previously covered by sector agreements for below median wage jobs are no longer subject to restrictions such as caps or limitations on visa duration and instead will be treated the same as other jobs of the same skill level.

Current AEWV holders should continue to be paid in line with their employment agreement and visa conditions.

Reducing the work experience requirement for migrants from 3 years to 2 years

Amending the requirement for employers to engage with the Ministry of Social Development (MSD)

Increasing the visa duration for ANZSCO Level 4 and 5 AEWV holders to 3 years

Increasing the income threshold for supporting dependent children

Recognition of higher ANZSCO skill levels

Updates to interim visa work rights

Median wage changes

Read more at > https://shorturl.at/yKCbb

Investor category update provides attractive investment options

9 February 2025

From 1 April 2025, changes to the Active Investor Plus Visa include:

• introducing 2 simplified investment categories — Growth and Balanced

• a minimum investment amount of NZD$5 million for Growth category investors and NZD$10 million for Balanced category investors

• broadening the scope of acceptable investments for Balanced category to include bond and property (new residential, new/existing commercial or industrial developments) investments

• fewer immigration requirements for migrants who choose more active investments (such as time required to be spent in New Zealand)

• reducing the time Growth and Balanced category visa holders have to make their investments in New Zealand, both categories must make all investments within 6 months of their approval in principle but may apply for a 6 month extension, and

• removing the English language requirement.

The changes help attract high value investment, simplify settings, and incentivise people to invest in ‘active’ investment classes.

They reflect feedback from investors and industry stakeholders and provide attractive investment options for lower-risk investments that will attract new investors to our shores. They also allow investors to become familiar with New Zealand’s investment community and gain the confidence to undertake more active investments in the future.

Investors can apply for the visa using the same online application form that they currently use which will be updated to reflect the new changes.

Further details will be available and published in early March.

Read more at > https://ln.run/_qbbh

Subscribe to our newsletter

Stay up-to-date with the latest news and updates on New Zealand immigration.

© 2025 Successtitude Pte Ltd. All Rights Reserved.