The New Zealand Government has announced changes to the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) scheme. Effective immediately, AEWV holders in ANZSCO level 4 or 5 roles can no longer support visa applications for their partners and children. This includes work, student, and visitor visas.
This change does not affect visa holders in ANZSCO level 1, 2, 3 roles
However, partners and dependent children can still apply for these visas independently if they meet the necessary immigration requirements.
Notably, this change DOES NOT affect:
- Individuals who already hold visas as a partner or dependent child of an AEWV holder.
- Applications from partners or dependent children of AEWV holders that were received before June 26. These are assessed based on the previous policy that was in place at the time of application.
- AEWV holders in ANZSCO level 4 or 5 roles who have a pathway to residency.
- This includes roles on the Green List, those covered by a Sector Agreement with a residence pathway, and those earning at least 1.5 times the residency median wage (currently $31.61).
- Partners of care workers may now be eligible for a work visa if the principal applicant (care worker) is earning at least the temporary visa median wage ($29.66)
- AEWV holders in ANZSCO level 1, 2, or 3 roles
- partners of students
- partners of New Zealand residents/citizens
