In a bid to streamline New Zealand’s immigration system and better address labour shortages, the government has introduced significant reforms to the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV). These changes, which will be implemented over the course of 2025, promise to make it easier for employers to hire skilled migrants while ensuring that workers are fairly treated and integrated into the New Zealand workforce.
For employers, these changes come with new responsibilities, as well as opportunities to secure the talent they need. For migrant workers, the reforms bring enhanced pathways to employment and residency. In this blog, we’ll break down the key changes to the AEWV program in 2025, explore how they will impact both employers and migrants and offer practical advice on how to navigate the new rules.
Key Changes to AEWV 2025
Removal of the Median Wage Requirement
One of the most significant changes to the AEWV in 2025 is the removal of the median wage threshold for both AEWV and Specific Purpose Work Visa (SPWV) roles. Previously, employers needed to meet certain wage thresholds to hire migrant workers on these visas. This change will simplify the recruitment process, especially for employers in industries where wage rates were previously an obstacle.
However, it’s important to note that while the median wage threshold is being removed, employers must still offer migrants the market rate for the role and location. This ensures that migrants are not being underpaid in comparison to local workers. Importantly, this change does not affect existing employment agreements, and AEWV workers will still need to meet wage criteria if they want to apply for residency.
New Earning Threshold for Migrants Sponsoring Children
As part of the changes, a new earning threshold of NZD 55,844 per year has been introduced for AEWV holders who wish to bring their children to New Zealand. This threshold has not been updated since 2019, and the new criteria aim to ensure that migrants can support their dependents in the country. This threshold is part of broader efforts to maintain a balance between attracting skilled workers and ensuring that they can provide for their families.
Reduced Experience Requirements
The experience requirement for AEWV applicants is being reduced from three years to two years. This reform is aimed at addressing skill shortages in key sectors, such as agriculture, construction, and healthcare while ensuring that workers are still sufficiently skilled for their roles. By lowering the experience threshold, New Zealand will have greater flexibility in attracting skilled workers who may not have the full three years of experience previously required but still possess the necessary expertise.
This change opens the door for younger, potentially more adaptable workers to fill crucial gaps in the labour market. Employers will now have a larger pool of talent to choose from, making it easier to meet their staffing needs.
New Pathways for Seasonal Workers through AEWV 2025
Seasonal Worker Visas (Available from November 2025)
In response to the growing demand for seasonal labour in sectors like agriculture and horticulture, the government has announced the introduction of two new visa pathways for seasonal workers, effective from November 2025. These pathways are designed to provide greater flexibility for both workers and employers.
- Three-Year Multi-Entry Visa: This visa will allow experienced seasonal workers to return to New Zealand for up to three years, providing more stability and predictability for both employers and employees in sectors that rely heavily on seasonal labour.
- Seven-Month Single-Entry Visa: This visa will cater to lesser-skilled workers, providing them with a seven-month stay to work in New Zealand during peak seasons.
These new seasonal visa pathways will be a boon for employers who struggle to find the seasonal labour they need and for workers looking for flexible employment opportunities in New Zealand. However, the existing temporary seasonal pathways will remain in place until the new options are introduced.
Visa Duration Increased for Low-Skill Occupations
For AEWV holders in ANZSCO Level 4 and Level 5 occupations—which typically include roles in lower-skilled sectors such as hospitality, retail, and construction—the visa duration will be extended from two years (with the option of one additional year) to three years. This change is being made in response to feedback from employers and migrants who requested more stability in the workforce.
The increase in visa duration means that lower-skilled workers will have more time to establish themselves in New Zealand, and employers will benefit from being able to retain their workers for a longer period. Importantly, workers currently holding two-year AEWVs will be able to apply for a one-year extension if they meet the required conditions.
Streamlined Job Check Process (Effective July 2025)
The Job Check step in the AEWV application process is undergoing a redesign to make it easier and faster for employers to hire migrant workers. This change will be implemented in July 2025 and aims to simplify the process for low-risk employers, thereby improving processing times for visa applications.
The goal of this reform is to reduce delays and administrative burdens for employers who regularly comply with immigration requirements, making the system more efficient for both employers and employees. With a more streamlined process, employers can fill vacancies more quickly, and migrants can get to work sooner.
Other Notable Changes in AEWV 2025
Amended Work and Income Engagement Requirement
Previously, employers needed to engage with Work and Income to demonstrate that they had made genuine efforts to recruit from the local labour market before offering a role to a migrant worker. Under the new rules, this requirement will become declaration-based. Employers must now simply declare that they have advertised the role and interviewed suitable local candidates. This change will eliminate the previous 21-day timeframe for employer engagement with Work and Income, giving employers more flexibility.
Greater Work Rights for Interim Visa Holders (April 2025)
From April 2025, interim visa holders will be granted work rights while their AEWV applications are being processed. This will apply to those applying from any work visa type or from a student visa that allows term-time work. The change ensures that migrant workers can continue their employment without disruption while waiting for their visa applications to be processed.
Removal of Online Module Requirement for Employers
As of 27 January 2025, the requirement for accredited employers to complete Employment New Zealand online modules will be removed. Instead, INZ will provide links to relevant resources on the Employment New Zealand or Immigration New Zealand websites, outlining employer obligations and migrant worker rights. This change will reduce the administrative burden on employers and make the compliance process easier to navigate.
Reduction in Domestic Workforce Threshold for Construction Roles
To help address labour shortages in the construction sector, the domestic workforce threshold for employers of certain construction roles will be reduced from 35% to 15%. This change allows employers to hire more migrant workers in this critical sector, ensuring that essential projects can continue without delays.
The 2025 AEWV reforms represent a major shift in New Zealand’s immigration policy, aimed at both making the system more flexible and responsive to labour market needs while ensuring fair treatment for migrant workers. With key changes like the removal of the median wage threshold, reduced experience requirements, and the introduction of new seasonal worker pathways, employers will find it easier to access the skills they need. Migrant workers, on the other hand, will benefit from clearer and more streamlined pathways to employment and residency.
For employers, it’s essential to familiarize yourself with these changes and ensure that your business is compliant with the updated regulations. Migrant workers looking to come to New Zealand should also stay informed on the new requirements, especially if they’re planning to apply for an AEWV in the coming year.
Stay ahead of the game by staying updated, and ensure that both your workforce and business can take full advantage of these exciting changes.
West Highlander Immigration
Applying for any visa requires a lot of effort and you must stay updated with any new changes. However everybody would not be able to grasp this and hence it is important to get advice from a Licensed Immigration Advisor, like Ms. Parwinder Kaur at West Highlander Immigration who can ensure that you get the latest information only.