INZ Policy Change Effective Immediately Restricts Family Sponsorship For ANZSCO 4 and 5 Roles

June 26, 2024

Recent amendments to the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) policy have introduced new challenges for individuals, their families and their NZ employers. If you’re an HR professional, migrant worker, or employer, it’s essential to understand these changes and their implications.

What’s New in AEWV Criteria?

The New Zealand government has implemented additional changes to the AEWV policy. Effective immediately, individuals holding AEWV in ANZSCO level 4 or 5 positions are no longer eligible to sponsor their partners and children for work, student, or visitor visa applications.

Key Points:

• Ineligibility for Sponsorship: AEWV holders in ANZSCO level 4 or 5 positions cannot sponsor their partners and children.

• Independent Visa Applications: Partners and dependent children can still seek their own visas if they meet immigration criteria independently.

• Ongoing Applications: The recent adjustment does not affect individuals currently holding visas as partners or dependents of AEWV holders. Applications submitted by partners or dependents before June 26 will be assessed based on the regulations in place at the time of the application.

• Exemptions:

1. AEWV holders in ANZSCO level 4 or 5 roles with a residency pathway, such as those on the Green List or a Sector Agreement, or earning at least 1.5 timesthe median wage, are exempt from these changes.
2. AEWV holders in ANZSCO level 1, 2, or 3 roles remain unaffected.

Aligning with the Essential Skills Work Visa Framework

This modification aligns the AEWV scheme with previous adjustments made earlier in the year, reverting settings closer to those observed under the former Essential Skills Work Visa framework.

What Should You Do Next?

Navigating these changes can be complex, but you don’t have to do it alone. For personalised advice and to understand how these changes may impact your plans to stay in New Zealand and build a life, please contact Immigration Advisers New Zealand Ltd on contact@nzimmigration.info.