All posts by : Living Without Borders

Immigration New Zealand made significant revisions to the visa regulations for partners of Essential Skills and Accredited Employer Work Visa holders applying for new Partner of Worker Work Visas. Until now, these partners had considerable freedom to pursue their own employment opportunities within New Zealand.

However, under the new guidelines, most individuals in this category will be required to secure jobs that pay at least the median hourly wage in New Zealand, currently set at NZ$29.66/hr. Exceptions to this wage requirement include cases where the partner earns at least double the median wage or if they are working in a role listed on the green list.

Additionally, the updated restrictions stipulate that partners seeking these new visas:

1. Can only work for an accredited employer.
2. Are not allowed to be self-employed.
3. Must not work in roles covered by capped sector agreements if the wage falls below the median New Zealand wage.

These visa changes apply to the majority of partners of workers who hold an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) or an Essential Skills Work Visa (ESWV). However, it is important to note that these changes will not impact current work visa conditions or applicants who submit their applications before 31 May 2023. Furthermore, there are no alterations to visa conditions for partners of New Zealand citizens or those holding other work visas, such as a Post Study Work Visa.

In June 2023, Immigration New Zealand (INZ) introduced a fresh Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) aimed at bolstering economic growth and providing a pathway to residency for highly-skilled and higher-income individuals. Unlike previous categories, this new SMC employs a straightforward six-point skills assessment system and does not impose an annual cap on the number of immigrants eligible to enter New Zealand through this scheme.

To be eligible for residency under the new SMC, applicants must meet the following criteria:

1. Age: They must be 55 years old or younger at the time of submitting their application.
2. Health and Character: Applicants must meet the required health and character standards.
3. English Proficiency: They should demonstrate an acceptable level of English proficiency.
4. Skilled Employment: Applicants must have skilled employment with an accredited employer, which will be categorized based on ANZSCO levels and corresponding wages. This includes ANZSCO levels 1-3 with payment at the median wage (NZ$29.66 hourly) or ANZSCO levels 4-5 with payment at 1.5 times the median wage (NZ$44.49 hourly).
5. Six Eligibility Points: Applicants need to claim a total of six eligibility points.

Points can be earned in the following ways:

• Occupational registration
• Possession of a recognized qualification
• Meeting specific income thresholds

Moreover, individuals with skilled New Zealand work experience can earn an additional three points, at a rate of one point per year.

The new SMC is expected to benefit individuals who hold PhD qualifications, occupations requiring six or more years of training (such as doctors), and high-income earners earning NZ$88.98/hourly. These individuals can achieve the required six points for residency without needing any previous skilled New Zealand employment. This new category is designed to attract and retain highly-talented individuals who can contribute to New Zealand’s economic growth and development.