Government Announces Primary Teachers to be Added to the Straight to Residence Pathway

Date: 25 February 2025

The Government has announced that from 26 March 2025, primary teachers will be added to the Straight to Residence pathway on the Green List.

Upcoming Changes to the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) and Median Wage

Starting March 2025, significant updates will be made to the AEWV and median wage policies. Key changes include the removal of the median wage requirement for AEWV and Specific Purpose Work Visa (SPWV) holders, effective from 10 March 2025, with employers only required to meet the New Zealand minimum wage. The work experience requirement will also be reduced from 3 years to 2 years. Additionally, income thresholds for sponsoring dependent children and partners will rise, and visa durations for certain skill levels will be extended. Stay updated on these important changes to ensure your immigration process stays on track.

New Zealand is enhancing the Active Investor Plus Visa from 1 April 2025 to attract high-value investments and simplify the process. Key updates include two new investment categories (Growth & Balanced), expanded investment options, reduced immigration requirements, and no English language requirement. Investors must place funds within six months, with an option for extension. These changes aim to encourage economic growth and provide more attractive, lower-risk investment opportunities. More details will be released in early March.

Changes to International Student Visa Application Priorities

From 3 February 2025, Immigration New Zealand (INZ) will prioritize student visa applications from those in New Zealand applying for a second or subsequent visa with a new provider or course. This ensures students can start their studies without delay. While prioritization helps speed up processing, decisions will still be made in the order applications are received. Students are advised to submit complete applications, including a tuition fee receipt, to avoid delays or refusals.

New Remote Work Rules for Visitor Visa Holders

As of 27 January 2025, New Zealand allows visitors on a visitor visa or NZeTA to work remotely for overseas employers while in the country. This change enables tourists and others on long-term visitor visas to maintain their overseas work without breaching visa conditions, as long as they don't work for New Zealand employers or provide services within the country.