New Zealand: Transition to National Occupation List for Work Visa Applications

The situation

Immigration New Zealand (INZ) is replacing the New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) classification system with the National Occupation List (NOL) as the reference framework for occupation-based visa applications.

A closer look

• Overview. The NOL groups jobs into occupations with similar tasks and responsibilities, assigning each a skill level from one to five, with level one representing the highest skill level. The NOL will progressively replace ANZSCO across immigration processes. INZ will continue updating the NOL as more occupations are recognized.

• Application applicability. From November 3, 2025, NOL occupation codes must be used for the following:
  • • Applications submitted under the temporary Specific Purpose Work Visa (SPWV) pathway on or before November 2, 2025;
    • Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) applications submitted on or after November 3, 2025; and
    • Job Checks submitted on or after November 3, 2025.
• Determining skill levels and eligibility. Employers and applicants can use the Aria tool on the Statistics New Zealand website to identify the correct NOL occupation code and confirm eligibility requirements. Each occupation includes defined tasks, responsibilities, and qualification or experience criteria that must be met. If a role is assessed at a lower skill level (levels four or five), the application will not be accepted under the NOL framework. INZ does not provide additional time for re-advertising or Work and Income engagement if the wrong level is selected.
• Temporary SPWV pathway. To support a smooth transition, INZ has introduced a temporary Specific Purpose Work Visa (SPWV) option that applies between September 8 and November 2, 2025. This short-term measure applies to approximately 30 newly recognized NOL occupations and allows individuals to extend their maximum continuous stay for a further two years. The pathway is available to workers who:
  • • Hold a current AEWV;
    • Are reaching their maximum continuous stay on or before November 30, 2025, and;
    • Are employed in one of the eligible NOL roles.

Impact

The introduction of the NOL marks a significant modernization of New Zealand’s immigration framework. By replacing ANZSCO, INZ seeks to standardize skill assessment, simplify visa processing and improve consistency across work visa categories.

Employers should ensure that their job descriptions and Job Check applications refer to the correct NOL occupation codes. Applicants should also confirm that their qualifications and experience meet the new NOL-defined skill requirements.

Background

The move to the NOL aligns with INZ’s broader effort to streamline immigration processes and ensure better alignment between labor market demand and visa policy. Similar occupational classification reforms have been undertaken in Australia, signaling a regional shift toward modernized, skills-based immigration systems.

This transition follows other recent updates, including changes to Job Check processes and stricter documentation requirements for certain nationalities. These reforms reflect New Zealand’s commitment to improving efficiency, transparency and policy coherence across its visa programs.

Looking ahead

As the transition to the NOL progresses through 2025 and beyond, employers and visa applicants should continue to monitor updates from INZ on implementation timelines, system changes and potential refinements to occupation classifications.

Employers offering roles at skill levels 4 or 5 are encouraged to begin reviewing job descriptions to ensure alignment with the correct NOL occupation codes well before the November deadline. Doing so may enable eligible visa holders to apply for a further two-year extension to their maximum continuous stay under the temporary SPWV pathway.

Fragomen will continue to monitor developments and provide updates as further information becomes available.

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].