New Zealand’s 2025 Immigration Reforms Ease Hiring, Extend Lower-Skilled Visas

Key Takeaways

• New Zealand removes wage thresholds for AEWV and SPWV effective March 10, 2025, easing migrant hiring.
• Work experience requirement drops from three to two years; visa duration for lower-skilled jobs increases to three years.
• Income threshold for sponsoring children raised to NZD $55,844 annually, impacting family reunification eligibility.

New Zealand’s immigration system is experiencing its biggest changes in years, with a series of immigration reforms rolling out through 2025. These updates are designed to help fill job shortages, make the process easier for employers and workers, and respond to both local and global pressures. While some welcome these changes, others worry that lowering standards could bring in more lower-skilled workers and make it harder for migrants to settle long-term or bring their families. Here’s a detailed breakdown of what’s changed, who is affected, what actions are needed, and what these reforms mean for pending and future applications.

Summary of What Changed

The government of New Zealand 🇳🇿 has introduced a wide range of changes to its immigration system in 2025. These include:

• Removing wage thresholds for most work visas, so employers only need to pay at least the minimum wage and the market rate for the job.
• Reducing work experience requirements for certain visas.
• Increasing visa durations for lower-skilled roles.
• Making it easier for employers to hire migrants by cutting paperwork and streamlining checks.
• Raising the income needed to sponsor family members.
• Expanding work rights for students.
• Introducing new seasonal worker pathways.
• Adjusting rules for refugees and digital nomads.

These changes aim to make New Zealand 🇳🇿 more attractive to both skilled and lower-skilled workers, while also responding to the country’s ongoing labor shortages in sectors like construction, hospitality, and agriculture.

Key Dates and Timeline

• January 2025: Employers no longer need to complete certain online training modules. The domestic workforce threshold for construction is reduced.
• March 10, 2025: Wage thresholds for work visas are removed. Work experience requirements are lowered. Visa durations for lower-skilled jobs are increased. The labor market test is changed. The income threshold for sponsoring children is raised.
• April 2025: Interim work rights are expanded for visa applicants switching from other work or student visas.
• Mid-2025: A new, faster Job Check process is introduced for low-risk employers.
• November 2025: Two new seasonal worker visa pathways are launched. Student work rights increase from 20 to 25 hours per week during the semester.

Who Is Affected

These immigration reforms affect a wide range of people and groups:

• Employers looking to hire migrant workers, especially in construction, hospitality, and agriculture.
• Migrant workers applying for or renewing work visas, especially those in lower-skilled jobs.
• International students who want to work while studying in New Zealand 🇳🇿.
• Families of migrants, especially those hoping to bring children to New Zealand 🇳🇿.
• Refugees and people seeking humanitarian resettlement.
• Digital nomads and remote workers seeking to stay in New Zealand 🇳🇿 temporarily.

Detailed Breakdown of Changes

1. Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) and Specific Purpose Work Visa (SPWV) Updates

• Wage Thresholds Removed:
  As of March 10, 2025, employers no longer need to pay the median wage for AEWV and SPWV roles. Instead, they must pay at least the minimum wage (NZD $23.15 per hour, rising to $23.50 from April 1, 2025) and the market rate for the job and location. This makes it easier for employers to hire workers for lower-paid roles, but some worry it could lead to lower wages overall.

• Work Experience Requirement Lowered:
  The required work experience for AEWV applicants drops from three years to two years. This change opens the door for more people to qualify for work visas, especially those early in their careers.

• Visa Duration Increased for Lower-Skilled Roles:
  For jobs classified as lower-skilled (ANZSCO Level 4 and 5), the maximum visa duration increases from two to three years. This gives workers in these roles more stability and time to build their lives in New Zealand 🇳🇿.

• Labour Market Test Simplified:
  Employers must now advertise jobs with the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) and declare they have considered New Zealanders in good faith. The process is now declaration-based, reducing paperwork but still requiring employers to show they tried to hire locals first.

• Income Threshold for Sponsoring Children Raised:
  From March 10, 2025, AEWV holders must earn at least NZD $55,844 per year (80% of the median wage) to sponsor dependent children. This is a significant jump from the previous threshold of NZD $43,322, making it harder for lower-paid migrants to bring their families.

2. Employer Accreditation and Job Check Changes

• No More Online Modules:
  Accredited employers and Recognised Seasonal Employers (RSEs) no longer need to complete Employment New Zealand’s online training modules or provide paid time for migrants to do so. This reduces the time and cost of hiring migrant workers.

• Domestic Workforce Threshold Lowered for Construction:
  Construction businesses now only need to show that 15% of their workforce is made up of New Zealanders, down from 35%. This makes it easier for these companies to hire more migrants to fill labor gaps.

• Streamlined Job Check for Low-Risk Employers:
  From mid-2025, a new, faster Job Check process is available for employers with a good track record, helping speed up the hiring process.

3. Interim Work Rights Expanded

• More Flexibility for Visa Applicants:
  Starting April 2025, AEWV applicants switching from any work visa or a student visa with work rights will receive interim work rights. This means they can keep working while their new visa is processed, and the time spent on an interim visa counts toward their AEWV stay and eligibility for residence.

4. Seasonal Worker Pathways

• New Visa Options:
  From November 2025, two new seasonal worker visas are available:
  • A three-year multi-entry visa for experienced workers.
  • A seven-month single-entry visa for lesser-skilled workers.
    These options aim to help industries like agriculture and horticulture bring in the workers they need during busy seasons.

5. Student Visa Work Rights

• Increased Work Hours:
  From November 3, 2025, eligible tertiary and secondary students can work up to 25 hours per week during the semester, up from 20 hours. Current student visa holders will need to apply for a variation of conditions to access the new work limit.

6. Refugee Policy Adjustments

• Quota Remains Unchanged:
  The annual refugee quota stays at 1,500 for 2025–2028, but the way places are allocated within the quota is now more flexible to respond to global crises.

• Afghan Subcategory Ends:
  The special Afghan subcategory for refugees expires on June 30, 2025. Future Afghan resettlement will be managed through the Asia-Pacific allocation.

7. Digital Nomads and Remote Work

• Visitor Visas for Remote Workers:
  From January 27, 2025, visitor visas allow people to work remotely for overseas employers while staying in New Zealand 🇳🇿. This reflects a growing global trend and makes the country more attractive to digital nomads.

Required Actions for Employers and Migrants

For Employers:

• Check Accreditation Status:
  Make sure your business is accredited before hiring migrant workers. You no longer need to complete online training modules, but you must still meet other requirements.

• Use the New Job Check Process:
  Submit a Job Check for each role you want to fill with a migrant worker. If you’re a low-risk employer, you may qualify for the streamlined process from mid-2025.

• Advertise with MSD:
  You must advertise the job with the Ministry of Social Development and declare that you have considered New Zealanders in good faith.

• Offer the Right Wage:
  Pay at least the minimum wage and the market rate for the job and location. Wage thresholds are gone, but you must still meet these basic requirements.

For Migrant Workers:

• Check Visa Requirements:
  If you’re applying for an AEWV, you now need only two years of work experience. For lower-skilled jobs, you can get a visa for up to three years.

• Plan for Family Sponsorship:
  If you want to bring your children, make sure you meet the new income threshold of NZD $55,844 per year.

• Understand Health Rules:
  From March 17, 2025, children with severe cognitive or developmental disabilities needing significant support are no longer eligible for student or visitor visas.

• Take Advantage of Interim Work Rights:
  If you’re switching from another work or student visa, you can keep working while your new visa is processed, starting April 2025.

For International Students:

• Apply for Variation of Conditions:
  If you want to work up to 25 hours per week during the semester from November 2025, you’ll need to apply for a variation of conditions if you already hold a student visa.

For Refugees:

• Check Allocation Changes:
  The quota remains at 1,500 per year, but allocations may shift to respond to global needs. The Afghan subcategory ends in June 2025.

Implications for Pending Applications

If you have already applied for a visa or are planning to apply soon, here’s what you need to know:

• Pending AEWV or SPWV Applications:
  If your application is still being processed after March 10, 2025, the new wage and experience rules will apply. You may benefit from the lower experience requirement and no longer need to meet the median wage.

• Family Sponsorship:
  If you applied to sponsor dependent children before March 10, 2025, the old income threshold may still apply. For applications after this date, the new, higher threshold is required.

• Student Visa Holders:
  If you want to work more hours from November 2025, you must apply for a variation of conditions.

• Employers with Ongoing Recruitment:
  If you started the hiring process before the new rules, check if you can benefit from the streamlined Job Check or other changes.

Stakeholder Perspectives

Government and Officials:
The government says these immigration reforms are needed to fill urgent job shortages, especially in construction, hospitality, and agriculture. They believe the changes will help employers find workers more easily and treat both employers and migrants more fairly. At the same time, they want to balance economic needs with social pressures, like housing and infrastructure.

Employers:
Most employers welcome the changes, especially the removal of wage thresholds and the simpler hiring process. Construction companies, in particular, benefit from the lower domestic workforce requirement, making it easier to bring in the workers they need.

Critics and Concerns:
Some worry that lowering barriers will bring in more lower-skilled migrants, which could keep wages low and make it harder for New Zealanders to find jobs. Others are concerned that the focus on temporary work visas and stricter family rules will leave many migrants in a difficult position, unable to settle long-term or bring their families.

Expert Analysis and Future Outlook

Analysis from VisaVerge.com suggests that these immigration reforms mark a clear shift toward making the labor market more flexible and responsive to shortages. However, this comes with trade-offs. There’s a risk that lower-skilled migrants could face exploitation if oversight is not strong enough. There’s also concern about social tensions if locals feel they are losing out on jobs.

At the same time, New Zealand 🇳🇿 is positioning itself as a more open and attractive destination for workers from around the world, including digital nomads and seasonal workers. The government is likely to keep adjusting the rules as it responds to changing economic and social needs.

Practical Guidance and Next Steps

• Employers should review their hiring processes and make sure they meet the new requirements. Take advantage of the streamlined Job Check and interim work rights for smoother recruitment.
• Migrant workers should check if they now qualify under the new, lower experience requirements and longer visa durations. Plan carefully if you want to bring your family, as the income threshold is higher.
• Students should apply for a variation of conditions if they want to work more hours from November 2025.
• Refugees and humanitarian applicants should stay informed about allocation changes and the end of the Afghan subcategory.
• Digital nomads can now consider New Zealand 🇳🇿 as a destination for remote work under the updated visitor visa rules.

For the most up-to-date information and official guidance, visit the Immigration New Zealand news centre.

Conclusion

New Zealand’s immigration system is changing fast, with major reforms aimed at filling job shortages and making the process easier for both employers and workers. While the new rules lower some barriers, they also make it harder for migrants to bring their families or settle long-term. These changes affect employers, workers, students, and refugees, and everyone involved should review the new requirements and plan their next steps carefully. As the government continues to adjust its policies, staying informed and prepared is more important than ever.

Learn Today

Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) → A visa allowing employers to hire skilled or lower-skilled migrant workers under specific accreditation.
Labour Market Test → A process requiring employers to consider New Zealanders before hiring migrant workers, now declaration-based.
Seasonal Worker Visa → A temporary visa allowing workers to fill seasonal labor shortages in agriculture and horticulture sectors.
Interim Work Rights → Temporary work permissions given to visa applicants while their new visa applications are processed.
Median Wage → The middle wage value in New Zealand’s labor market, previously required but now replaced by minimum wage.

This Article in a Nutshell

New Zealand’s 2025 immigration reforms overhaul visa rules, removing wage thresholds and easing work experience requirements. These changes aim to fill labor shortages, expand student work rights, and support seasonal workers. While easing hiring, higher family sponsorship income rules may limit migrants’ ability to bring dependents, affecting long-term settlement prospects.
— By VisaVerge.com