This blog article compiled by an experienced LIA- Licensed Immigration Adviser would be of great help to applicants looking to apply for New Zealand dependent work visa as a spouse of Accredited Employer Work Visa holders. It covers the following three points
- Types of work visa dependent spouses of AEWV holders may be eligible for
- Requirements which must be met by New Zealand Accredited Employer Work Visa holders
- Relationship Requirements which must be met for New Zealand work visa as a dependent of AEWV holder
Immigration New Zealand has got a policy under which the applicants may apply for work visa if their spouse is in New Zealand on Accredited Employer work visa. There are two types of work visa under this family visa category. Depending on the conditions which must be met you may be eligible for either of these.
Types of work visa dependent spouses of AEWV holders may be eligible
There are two types of work visa for dependent partners of AEWV holders –
- First one is Open work visa
- Second one is Work visa with conditions.
To apply for the work visa there are certain conditions which the visa applicants must meet. The most important condition deciding the category of work visa you may be eligible is the median wage rate of the supporting partner in New Zealand.
Open work visa for dependent spouse– Requirements which must be met by New Zealand Accredited Employer Work Visa holders
The dependent spouse may apply for open work visa if the supporting partner that is the AEWV holder meets one the following wage requirements
- If the job role is not on the Green list -The accredited employer work visa holder must earn twice the median wage. The current median wage is New Zealand dollars 29.66. You may support the open work visa for your dependent spouse if you earn two times the median wage rate
- If your role is in the Green List and you fulfil the Green list requirements then you must earn at least the median wage rate that is New Zealand dollars 29.66. If the role is on Green list then there is no requirement of earning twice the median wage rate to support open work visa for the dependent spouse.
What does Open Work Visa mean?
Open work visa means that there are no conditions attached regarding the employer or pay. The work visa holder may work for any employer. There is no condition to work for an accredited employer. There is also no pay requirement.
Work visa with conditions for dependent spouse– Requirements which must be met by New Zealand Accredited Employer Work Visa holders
The dependent spouse may apply for partnership based work visa with conditions if the following apply
If the supporting partner earns at least the current median wage but less than twice the median wage then the dependent spouse may be eligible for work visa with conditions attached. Applicants must make sure that they follow the conditions attached with their visa. Any breach of work visa conditions may lead to problems with the visa
What does work visa with conditions mean?
Work visa with conditions means that there are certain conditions attached with the visa which the visa holder must follow. The conditions are as below
The dependent work visa holders may only work for an accredited employer
The work visa holders cannot work below median wage covered by the capped sector agreement
Relationship Requirements which must be met for New Zealand work visa as a dependent of AEWV holder
In order to apply for Work Visa as Dependents of New Zealand AEWV holders’ applicants must meet the relationship requirements of Immigration New Zealand. If you do not meet the relationship requirements then your application for work visa as a dependent partner of AEWV holder may not be successful. The applicants must be living together in a stable and genuine relationship. This is the main relationship requirement. The case officer must be satisfied that you meet the four fold relationship test. For this the applicants must submit the documents which prove that the relationship had been entered into exclusively with an intention to maintain it on a long term basis. Your relationship must have public recognition. The case officer must be satisfied that you share your life as a couple.