New Zealand introduced modifications to its visa regulations on June 26, 2024, affecting specific groups of foreign workers and their families. These adjustments aim to simplify the visa application process and align it more closely with the country’s economic goals and immigration strategies. A significant change restricts individuals with an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) at ANZSCO skill levels 4 and 5 from sponsoring their partners and dependent children for work, visitor, or student visas in New Zealand. This change seeks to align the AEWV scheme with the prior Essential Skills Work Visa program.
It’s important to note that partners and dependent children still have the opportunity to apply independently for visas, such as the Accredited Employer Work Visa or international student visas, as long as they meet the necessary requirements. The new regulations do not affect those currently holding visas as partners or dependents, nor do they impact AEWV holders at ANZSCO level 4 and 5 with established residency pathways, including those on the Green List and under sector agreements.
The New Zealand government has assured that any applications for partner or dependent child visas currently in progress will be evaluated under the existing regulations at the time of submission. This provides stability for those affected. If you initiated a visa application for your family before June 26, 2024, there may still be options to sponsor visas for your partner or dependent children under specific conditions. This applies if they previously received a visa based on their relationship with you or if their application for a work, visitor, or student visa was pending before the new rules came into effect and was subsequently approved.
For AEWV holders at ANZSCO skill levels 4 or 5 earning less than NZD USD 47.41 per hour, options remain to sponsor visas for your partner or dependent children. To sponsor a Worker Work Visa for your partner, you must demonstrate earnings of at least NZD USD 29.66 per hour. For sponsoring a Child of a Worker Visitor Visa or a Dependent Child Student Visa for your children, you need to show an annual income of at least NZD USD 43,322.76. You may be eligible to support a Partner of a Worker Visitor Visa if you earn less than NZD USD 29.66 per hour. Furthermore, if your earnings reach at least NZD USD 59.32 per hour or your position is on the Green List and you fulfill the specific requirements of the role, you can also sponsor a work visa with open conditions. These modifications are part of the New Zealand government’s comprehensive strategy to refine the visa application process and align it with the nation’s economic and immigration goals.
