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Latest on where NZ is with Work, Study and Visitor Visas

Immigration New Zealand (INZ) is continuously making changes to rules and requirements for work, study, working holiday, and visitor visas – which can affect both employers and migrants.

 

Read through for a comprehensive overview of the most recent changes to help you stay informed. We cover key adjustments to visa durations, Job Check requirements, and accredited employer obligations, as well as changes to the median wage that impact eligibility for various visa categories. You’ll also find information on residence pathways, as well as new and more flexible visa options for parents and grandparents.

1 – INZ Changes to Visa Duration, Job Checks & Accredited Employer Obligations

 

Under the INZ Employer Accreditation there are several requirements that employers have to meet:

• Help new workers to NZ to ‘settle’ here by providing information about your local area, IRD and bank account set up
• Employers must notify INZ if an AEWV holders leaves their employment within 10 days
• Employers need to do their best to that ensure their workers are suitably qualified for the roles they are offered at their company

 

 

 

 

Employees:

• There have been changes to visa durations based on ANZSCO defined occupation levels as well as related visa eligibility criteria. Additionally there are changes to residence eligibility.

 

If you’ve done your previous Accreditation with FRENZ, we’ll be getting in touch with you. If you need support, please EMAIL here or by call us at 09 303 3505 .

 

2 – More Trades Occupations Added to the Residence Pathway

In August 2025, INZ added 10 trades occupations to the Work to Residence pathway on the Green List of in-demand occupations. These roles are now eligible for residence after 24 months of skilled work in New Zealand, provided applicants meet the wage requirements during their work experience and at the time of application.

Eligible applicants must also have a job or job offer in one of the eligible trades, be 55 years or younger, and meet health, character and English language requirements.

This update aims to address skill shortages in critical trades and provide a clear, practical pathway for experienced tradespeople looking to build a future in New Zealand.

You can read the details here.

3 – Changes to Median Wage to Market Rate for AEWV applications

INZ requires that all Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) holders be paid the established market pay rate for the role they are performing. This rate must be determined based on the current market salary for the specific type of employment.

The official median wage has increased to $33.56 per hour as of August 18, 2025. This threshold is critical for eligibility across many resident visa categories, including the Skilled Migrant pathways.

In addition to the median wage, certain skilled job categories require specific, higher pay rates.

4 – Parent Boost Visitor Visa is now open

This visa allows eligible parents of New Zealand citizens or residents to stay in New Zealand for up to 5 years, providing families with more time to be together. After the initial 5-year period, there is also the option to apply for a second 5-year visa, allowing parents to stay in New Zealand for a total of up to 10 years.

 

To be eligible, parents must be sponsored by their New Zealand citizen or resident child or alternatively, demonstrate substantial personal income or funds.

Applicants must also meet good health and character requirements and maintain comprehensive health insurance for the duration of their stay.

This visa provides a long-term solution for families wanting to reunite and spend quality time together, while maintaining eligibility requirements set by Immigration New Zealand.

5 – Parent and Grandparent Visitor Visa

For NZ citizens/residents who want to be able to have parents or grandparents be able to stay in NZ for extended visits, without the complexity and costs involved in a Parent Resident visa or a Parent Boost Visitor visa, there is the Parent and Grandparents Visitor Visa (‘PGVV’) option.

This visa option has better visa conditions than a regular General Visitor Visa (‘GVV’) allowing approved family members to visa 6 months a year for up to 3 years.

6 – Occupations on the Green List

INZ have established Tier 1 ‘Straight to Residence’ and Tier 2 ‘ Work to Residence’ options which are determined by INZ’s Green List of occupations and qualifications.

Migrants in high-demand, skilled occupations—such as certain engineering, teaching, and healthcare roles—are classified under the Green List’s Tier 1. For these specific roles, individuals who meet the defined criteria are eligible to apply for New Zealand residence immediately upon securing a job offer from an Accredited Employer. This “Straight to Residence” pathway is designed to quickly attract and retain workers in sectors critical to New Zealand’s economic needs.

Dairy Farm Workers and other Trade roles fall into Tier 2, ‘Work to Residence’ with ability to apply for residence if they are qualified or experienced, and then at least 24 months working in NZ in a Green List role earning the appropriate skilled wage rate.

Find out more information about this pathway here.

7 – 90 Day Trial Removal

INZ will not accept 90 day trial periods in employment agreements for Work Visa holders.

But employers, of any staff size, can use 90 day clauses for NZ citizens/residents, as well as those on Working Holiday, Post-Study work, Student & partnership based work visas.

We suggest that you do include a probationary period within the employment agreement. This process is a bit of a hybrid between 90 day and performance management – it sets out expectations for performance level by a specific date and outcomes for falling short.