New Zealand: Updates Released for the New Accredited Employer Work Visa Program and Reopening of Country
May 19, 2022
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At a Glance
- The government of New Zealand released updates to the soon-to-be launched Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) program, which goes into effect on July 4, 2022.
- Under the AEWV, the government has introduced a Green List of occupations which allows certain applicants to become eligible for a fast-track pathway to residence, or a two-year work-to-residence pathway. The program also exempts applicants from certain sectors to meet the minimum salary requirement for the AEWV.
- Most dependent spouses or partners of AEWV holders are required to apply for their own AEWV if they are seeking to work in New Zealand.
- Additionally, all employers, including those who are employing foreign nationals with open work rights such as those on a working holiday or student visa holders, will be required to become accredited employers during the course of 2023.
- The last stages of the New Zealand re-opening border plan has been moved up, with the border re-opening in July 2022.
The situation
The government of New Zealand released updated rules as the country begins reopening to foreign nationals. These rules impact applicants of the new Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) Program which opens on July 4, 2022, companies employing foreign nationals with open work rights and certain foreign nationals with expiring visas.
A closer look
| CHANGE | DETAILS | IMPACT |
| Green List occupations introduced |
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| Exemption from minimum salary requirement |
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| Independent AEWV for dependents |
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| Accredited Employer status to be required to employ any foreign national with open work rights in 2023 |
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Background
- Addressing skills shortages. The New Zealand government introduced the streamlining of visa requirements and automatic visa extensions to address skills shortages after the reopening of the country to foreign nationals and to ensure that skilled workers remain in the country.
- Employer-assisted temporary work visas. The New Zealand government has contemplated proposals on employer-assisted temporary work visas as early as 2019. The AEVW streamlines New Zealand’s immigration system by replacing six previously-available work visas. The implementation has been delayed from its earlier date of 2021 due to the extension of New Zealand’s closed borders
Looking ahead
Employers can begin applying for the new Employer Accreditation on May 23, 2022 and eligible applicants can begin applying on July 4, 2022.
The New Zealand government will likely introduce further information and updates for the AEVW such as requirements for high-volume employers as well as possible restrictions for hiring foreign nationals for certain industries or roles in order for the government to protect local labour markets. We will report on related developments.
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].
