New Zealand: National Occupation List for Expanded and Selected Roles Reclassified
February 23, 2026

Effective March 9, 2026, Immigration New Zealand (INZ) will recognize 47 additional skill level 1 to 3 occupations under the National Occupation List (NOL) for Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) applications. This includes newly redefined chef roles, which have been separated into more clearly defined occupations based on skill level and seniority. As with all AEWV applications, employers must advertise the role for a minimum of 14 days and demonstrate genuine efforts to recruit a suitably qualified local before offering the position to a foreign national. More information can be found here.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen.
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