New Zealand unveils major overhaul of Visa and employment rules to address labor shortages

In a bid to streamline immigration processes and tackle persistent labor market gaps, New Zealand has rolled out substantial changes to its visa and employment criteria. These updates are designed to simplify pathways for employers and workers by adjusting wage thresholds, work experience requirements, and visa durations. Here's a breakdown of the key changes:

Wage Threshold Changes for Work Visas The government has removed the median pay criteria for both the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) and the Specific Purpose Work Visa (SPWV). While employers are still required to advertise job openings and offer salaries that align with market rates, they are no longer bound to meet a specific salary threshold. This adjustment grants companies greater flexibility while ensuring fair compensation for workers.

Earnings Threshold for Migrants Bringing Dependents Migrants holding the AEWV must now earn a minimum annual salary of NZ$55,844 if they wish to bring children with them to New Zealand. This earnings threshold, which has remained unchanged since 2019, ensures that families are financially stable while residing in the country.

Reduced Work Experience Requirements In an effort to address critical labor shortages, New Zealand has reduced the minimum work experience requirement for migrants from three years to two years. This change opens up opportunities for skilled workers to more easily meet the criteria for employment in New Zealand.

New Pathways for Seasonal Workers Two new visa pathways have been introduced for seasonal workers:

A three-year multi-entry visa for experienced seasonal workers.

A seven-month single-entry visa for lower-skilled workers.

These initiatives, while maintaining existing seasonal worker programs, are designed to meet the seasonal labor demands while offering more flexibility and opportunities for migrant workers.