New Zealand will ease several entry rules in 2025 to bring in more low-skilled and trades workers, a shift the government says will lift growth by filling staff gaps in key sectors and widening the labor pool. From March, ministers will cut experience thresholds, extend work visa durations, and strip wage floors tied to the Accredited Employer Work Visa, while keeping the requirement that employers pay at least the market rate. Officials argue the package will speed hiring in construction, aged care, and the trades at a time when net migration has slumped and employers report persistent shortages.
Recent figures show net overseas migration of only 13,066 in the year to July 2025, far below typical levels, as record numbers of New Zealand citizens head overseas. The government wants migration to help steady output during a slow patch and to “juice” GDP growth without waiting for productivity gains that take longer to deliver.
Policy changes: what shifts and when
Starting in March 2025, the following changes take effect:
- Minimum experience requirement for lower-skilled roles drops to two years (down from the higher thresholds used previously). Officials say this widens the candidate pool for Level 4–5 roles.
- Visa duration for Level 4–5 roles rises from two to three years, giving workers and employers more stability and reducing churn.
- Wage thresholds for Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) roles are removed, but employers must still pay the market rate for the job.
- Labour market testing moves to a declaration-based model, cutting paperwork and speeding recruitment for compliant employers.
- Interim work rights expand for people switching into the AEWV from other visa types, helping them stay lawful and employed while applications are processed.
- A new Job Check process begins mid-2025 for “low-risk” employers, introducing a streamlined pathway that reduces repeat checks for proven, compliant recruiters.
- Seasonal worker options expand in November 2025, including:
- a 3-year multi-entry visa for experienced seasonal workers, and
- a 7-month single-entry visa for those with less experience.
Two new work-to-residence routes for skilled migrants and tradespeople are scheduled for mid-2026. Under this plan, eligible trades workers could seek residence after 18 months on at least the median wage, creating a clearer path from short-term roles to long-term settlement.
Key start dates:
– March 2025: two-year experience rule, three-year visa duration, AEWV wage threshold removal, declaration-based labour market test
– April 2025: expanded interim work rights
– Mid-2025: new Job Check goes live
– November 2025: seasonal worker pathway changes
– Mid-2026: trades work-to-residence routes begin
Rationale and expected benefits
The government says these steps will:
– Enlarge the labour force quickly, easing pressure on businesses facing shortages.
– Support activity across supply chains, especially in construction, aged care, and trades.
– Reduce administrative friction for employers and provide more certainty for workers through longer visa durations.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the policy cadence signals a return to migration-led growth after a period in which domestic demand and net inflows cooled.
Impact on employers, workers and sectors
Employers in construction, aged care, and trades welcome:
– A longer initial visa (three years) for training, lower turnover, and completion of multi-year projects.
– A simpler labour market test that speeds hiring.
– The removal of fixed AEWV wage thresholds, combined with the market-rate requirement, giving firms more scope to set pay appropriate to regional conditions.
For workers:
– A longer permit means fewer renewals, lower fees over time, and greater certainty for families.
– Expanded interim work rights reduce the risk of employment gaps when switching visas.
– Seasonal workers gain two clear lanes (3-year multi-entry and 7-month single-entry), improving planning for employers and workers alike.
Sector-specific views:
– Aged care providers: expanded pipeline is essential to maintain staffing and meet rising demand.
– Construction firms: more Level 4–5 workers can help restart stalled housing and public projects.
– Unions: call for tougher checks and enforcement to prevent underpayment and poor housing conditions.
– Local councils: concerned about pressure on transport, water, and community services.
Criticisms, risks and political debate
Critics and economists raise several concerns:
– The approach favors headcount growth over productivity, and immigration typically has only modest effects on productivity.
– Rapid population growth can outpace public investment, pushing up rents and straining health and education.
– A faster intake of low-skilled workers could increase the risk of migrant exploitation if oversight does not keep pace.
– Political divisions exist within the coalition: NZ First has opposed what it calls “unfocused immigration,” while ministers such as Economic Development Minister Nicola Willis and Immigration Minister Erica Stanford front the package. This split mirrors public debate on migration versus productivity-focused policies.
Warning: If housing costs or service strain worsen, the government may revisit settings or tighten caps. Stronger enforcement and public investment will be critical to manage these risks.
Implementation and practical steps for employers and applicants
Employers will continue to use the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) framework. Guidance and official processes are published by Immigration New Zealand:
- Employer guidance and accreditation: Immigration New Zealand
- Job Check (employers): Job Check (employers)
- AEWV application (worker-facing): Accredited Employer Work Visa — apply
Practical steps and expectations:
1. Employer secures an approved Job Check and issues a compliant job offer.
2. Worker lodges AEWV application online (after employer steps are complete).
3. Low-risk employers with clean records will face fewer repeat Job Checks under the mid-2025 changes.
4. Employers will attest via a declaration-based labour market test; penalties for false declarations are expected to be strict.
5. Migrants changing visa types will benefit from expanded interim work rights, allowing lawful employment while decisions are pending.
Seasonal worker lanes (from November 2025):
– 3-year multi-entry: for experienced, proven seasonal workers — reduces onboarding time for repeat hires.
– 7-month single-entry: for less experienced seasonal workers — supports short-term harvest and packing needs.
Productivity, infrastructure and longer-term considerations
The Productivity Commission and Treasury note that migration can increase total output but only modestly lift productivity. That has prompted calls to pair the migration push with:
– Larger investment in training and skills development
– Digital tools and automation to boost labor productivity
– Targeted infrastructure, especially housing near job hubs
Without these supports, population growth risks widening gaps in rent, commute times, and access to care.
Human impact: examples and stakes
- A solo carpenter from Fiji meeting the two-year experience threshold could secure a three-year role in provincial New Zealand, gain local training, and remit earnings home.
- A care worker from the Philippines switching employers could use interim work rights to avoid a gap that would otherwise force them out of work.
These are meaningful, practical gains — but the policy challenge is to lock them in while keeping housing, schools, and clinics within reach for all New Zealanders.
Where to find official information
- Worker AEWV application: Accredited Employer Work Visa — apply
- Employer Job Check guidance: Job Check (employers)
Both pages explain documentary needs, how to prove market-rate pay, and what to expect if Immigration New Zealand requests further evidence.
Bottom line
The 2025 settings represent a clear pivot back to workforce expansion to address immediate staff shortages and support GDP through higher labour input. They offer practical benefits for employers and workers but carry risks — particularly for housing, public services, and migrant protections — unless matched by stronger enforcement and investment in training and infrastructure. The debate over migration versus productivity will continue to shape policy through 2025 and into the next election cycle.
This Article in a Nutshell
In 2025 New Zealand will relax several immigration settings to bring in more low-skilled and trades workers and support GDP through higher labour input. Major changes from March include lowering the experience requirement to two years for Level 4–5 roles, increasing visa durations to three years, removing fixed AEWV wage floors while requiring market-rate pay, and replacing intensive labour market testing with a declaration-based model. Interim work rights expand and a streamlined Job Check process for low-risk employers starts mid-2025. Seasonal worker options broaden in November 2025, and two work-to-residence routes for trades launch mid-2026. The government expects faster hiring and reduced churn in construction, aged care and trades, but economists warn about limited productivity gains, pressure on housing and services, and increased risk of exploitation unless enforcement and infrastructure investment strengthen.
