Today the Minister of Immigration announced the new settings for the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa as well as a change to the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) settings. These are being updated to help support Aotearoa New Zealand’s economic growth and to provide more certainty to migrants and employers.

Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa changes

From 9 October 2023, the current settings will be replaced with a simplified points system that sets a clear skills threshold for residence and offers several ways for people to demonstrate their skill level.

Changes to the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa

Accredited Employer Work Visa changes

The Government is introducing a maximum continuous stay of 5 years on an AEWV, for anyone who is unable to demonstrate that they are on a pathway to residence. People will need to spend 12 months outside of NZ to be eligible to apply for a further AEWV.

From November 2023, the maximum duration of an AEWV will be extended from 3 years to 5 years to align with the introduction of the 5-year maximum continuous stay for AEWV holders.

Maximum continuous stay and longer visa length for AEWV

New Zealand skilled residence pathways

Simplified path to residency for skilled workers - Beehive website