New Zealand: Salary Thresholds Impacting Labour Market Test Exemptions and Visa Duration Updated

Effective August 18, 2025, Immigration New Zealand will implement changes to the salary thresholds that affect both the Labour Market Test (LMT) exemption and the duration of the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) for lower-skilled roles. Under the new rules, the LMT will not be required if the offered role pays at least twice the median wage (NZD 67.12 per hour), which equates to NZD 139,609.60 per year (currently, the threshold for exemption from the LMT requirement is NZD 123,385.60 per year). Additionally, for roles classified at ANZSCO Skill Level 4 or 5, applicants who earn 1.5 times the median wage (NZD 104,707.20 per year) may be eligible for a five-year AEWV, instead of the standard three-year term.      

These updates follow an earlier change that removed the requirement for AEWV holders to be paid at or above the median wage. Despite this adjustment, the median wage continues to serve as a key benchmark for determining exemptions from the LMT and eligibility for extended AEWV durations.      

This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].