Over 5 months after the launch of the Accredited Employer Work visa category, Immigration New Zealand has finally ported the Variation of Conditions process over to this new visa category.
What is a Variation of Conditions?
A Variation of Conditions –typically referred to as a VOC- is an application to update a specific part of an approved visa, following a change of circumstances. It avoids having to apply for a whole new visa and is typically faster to process. You may do a "VOC" to request work rights on a student visa, or if you are currently on a work visa and wish to work for a different employer, in a different role or in a different region.
For Accredited Employer Work Visa holders
The new process allows to apply for a "Job Change" to change your employer, job, location, or a combination of these. The new employer must be accredited to hire migrants and have a valid job check for your new job.
If you want to change to a job paid below the median wage, it must be on the list of exempt role. Note, it is the median wage in place at the time of the VOC application, that will be counted. The NZ median wage is NZD $27.76/hour as at the time of writing this update, and due to increase to $29.66 from 27 February 2023.
For Essential Skills Work Visa holders
Some migrants workers currently in New Zealand may still be on the archived Essential Work Visa. The VOC process has been updated to allow you to change your employer, job, location, or a combination of these.
Note that if you are changing your job or location, your employer must:
- have advertised the job and
- been unable to find suitable or available New Zealand workers.
This need to demonstrate the unvavailability of New Zealanders to fil the position may be waived if the role is:
- on the Essential Skills in Demand List and you meet the requirements of the list
- on the Green List and you meet the requirements of the list or
- paid at least twice the median wage.
