Highlights:
🌟 Work Visa Reforms Announced
🎉Changes to Improve Partnership Resident Visa Processing Times
👫 Open Work Rights for Partners of Migrant Workers
🧳 Searching for study options that lead to residency?
🎄 Merry Christmas from Kiwiana Immigration!
🌟 Work Visa Reforms Announced 🌟
Updates to the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) scheme are coming in 2025!
Here’s what you need to know:
📅 From 27 January 2025:
✅ Accredited and recognised seasonal employers no longer need to complete Employment NZ’s online modules.
👷 Construction businesses can reduce New Zealanders worker requirements from 35% to 15%.
📅 From March 2025:
💸 Wage thresholds for AEWV roles will be removed. Employers still need to advertise and offer AEWV employees the market rate for their position and workplace location. This change does not affect existing employment agreements.
🧑💼 Work experience requirements drop from 3️⃣ years to 2️⃣ years.
⏳ Lower-skilled AEWV durations increase to 3️⃣ years.
📜 Streamlined advertising compliance with Work and Income.
👨👩👧 Family threshold: Migrants must still earn NZ$55,844/year to bring children.
📅 From April 2025:
🛠️ Some work and student visa holders applying for AEWV can get an Interim Visa to work during processing.
📅 Mid 2025:
🛠️ A new Job Check process will be in place, to allow for greater
streamlining for low-risk employers and improve processing timeframes.
📅 From November 2025:
🌍 Two new seasonal worker pathways:
3️⃣-year multi-entry visa for experienced workers.
7️⃣-month single-entry visa for lesser-skilled workers.
These changes aim to simplify processes, support employers, and provide more opportunities for workers. Stay tuned for more details in early 2025!
👉 For full details, visit the INZ website.
Source: INZ
Changes to Improve Partnership Resident Visa Processing Times 🎉💼
Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has seen a significant increase in partnership residence applications, and processing times are forecast to grow 📈. To address this, INZ is taking steps to minimize the impact on applicants.
Between mid-2023 and August 2024, the volume of partnership residence applications grew steadily 📅. This surge was driven by more partnership work visa holders and partners of 2021 Resident Visa holders becoming eligible for partnership residence. Additionally, there was a significant increase in applications in September 2024 before fees and levies rose on 1 October 💰.
As a result, processing times for most partnership residence applications have increased to approximately 7 months ⏳, with further delays expected.
To help manage this, INZ is implementing changes to slow down the anticipated increase in processing times. These measures include:
Allocating more staff 🧑💼 to process applications.
Following up by phone 📞 when additional information is required to make a decision.
INZ recognizes how important timely processing is to its customers and is dedicated to improving processing times 💪.
It’s important to note that incomplete applications 📝 can significantly delay processing. To ensure faster processing, applicants are encouraged to submit complete applications with all required information and documents.
Source: INZ
👫 Open Work Rights for Partners of Migrant Workers
On 2nd December 2024, significant changes were introduced to provide open work rights to more partners of migrant workers. These changes allow partners to work for any employer, helping families stay together while addressing skill and labour shortages across sectors in New Zealand.
Key Changes:
Open work rights became available to:
All partners of Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) holders in ANZSCO Level 1-3 roles, earning at least NZD $25.29/hour (80% of the median wage).
Partners of AEWV holders earning at least $25.29/hour who were already supporting a partner work visa as of 26 June 2024.
All partners of Essential Skills visa holders earning at least $25.29/hour.
Partners of AEWV holders in ANZSCO Level 4-5 roles could also gain open work rights if they met one of these conditions:
Earning at least $47.41/hour (150% of the median wage).
Earning at least $31.61/hour in a Green List role and met its requirements.
Earning at least $25.29/hour (80% of the median wage) in the Transport or Care Sector Agreements or met the wage specified in the agreement.
Visa holders with partner work visas tied to specific conditions could apply to vary their conditions under these updated rules.
Source: INZ
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🎄 Merry Christmas from Kiwiana Immigration!
As the year comes to a close, we want to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude to all our clients, partners, and supporters. Your trust and collaboration mean the world to us, and we look forward to continuing this journey together in the new year.
May your holidays be filled with joy, laughter, and cherished moments with loved ones. Here's to a Merry Christmas and a bright and prosperous New Year!
✨ Warmest wishes,
The Kiwiana Immigration Team