New Zealand Tightens Work Visa Rules To Reduce Partner, Child Dependants

New Zealand has introduced further restrictions on work visa rules, targeting specific categories of Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) holders to reduce partner and child dependants.

As stated on the Immigration New Zealand website, under the new rules, individuals with AEWVs working in occupations classified at levels 4 and 5 by the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO), and who do not have a pathway to residency, are no longer able to support their partners and dependent children in applying for work, visitor, or student visas.

The change was part of a broader suite of amendments to the AEWV scheme introduced earlier this year, reverting the settings to those similar to the previous Essential Skills Work Visa.

This latest move follows the New Zealand government’s implementation of stricter work visa rules, citing unsustainable migration as a primary concern.

on April 7, additional changes were introduced, including a language requirement for foreigners applying for low-skilled jobs under ANZSCO levels 4 and 5.

The criterion is aimed at ensuring foreign workers better understand their rights and can effectively address potential issues with their employers.

The new rules have reduced the maximum stay for low-skilled workers from five years to three years and have set minimum skill and work experience requirements for most roles.

Despite the tighter restrictions, New Zealand continues to aim at attracting and retaining highly skilled foreign workers, especially in sectors facing shortages, such as secondary education.

Official statistics revealed that over one million people entered New Zealand in the first three months of 2024. The majority of these arrivals were on visitor visas (602,404), followed by Australians (274,417), residents (158,867), and workers (51,338).

Also, on Sunday, April 7, the New Zealand government unveiled a series of changes to its employment visa program, aimed at attracting more skilled workers and fostering a sustainable immigration framework.

Immigration Minister Erica Stanford emphasized the need for a more intelligent immigration system that not only regulates net migration but also adapts to the evolving economic landscape.

She outlined the objectives of the reforms, focusing on attracting top talent, revitalizing international education, ensuring self-sufficiency and sustainability, and improving risk management.