91 New Occupations Added to the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) List from 3 November 2025

From 3 November 2025, 91 new occupations at skill levels 1 to 3 under the NOL will be recognised for AEWV applications. 

This marks a significant widening of the types of roles migrant workers can be hired into via accredited employers.

Why this matters

• For employers: More roles can now be filled via the AEWV pathway, subject to accreditation and job-check processes.
• For migrants: Opportunities widen for roles at skill levels 1-3 (including some with lower skill levels than previous AEWV roles).
• For the labour market: It gives employers more flexibility to fill roles not easily filled locally, and it may help fill skills gaps.
• For the immigration system: It reflects the shift from the older ANZSCO classification to the NOL standard. 

The process for employers & migrants
Here’s how it works in practice:
For employers:

1. The employer must first advertise the role and make a genuine attempt to appoint a suitable New Zealander.
2. If no suitable local candidate is found, the employer must:
   • Be accredited under the AEWV scheme.
   • Apply for a job check for one of the newly recognised NOL roles (skill level 1-3).
   • Ensure the job description and remuneration clearly match the responsibilities and the skill level of the role.

For migrants:
If you’re applying for a role under one of the 91 new occupations:

• You must have a job offer from an accredited employer who has been through the job-check process.
• Your job must clearly match the role’s responsibilities and skill level.
• For some migrants already on AEWVs in directly relevant skill level 4 or 5 roles: you may be able to shift into one of the newly recognised skill level 1-3 roles if you meet:
  • At least 3 years’ directly relevant work experience; and
  • A recognised qualification.
    If you meet these criteria, you may be able to apply for a further AEWV which extends your maximum continuous stay to 5 years.

What this doesn’t (yet) mean

• These 91 occupations are being recognised only for the AEWV (and relevant job-checks). They are not yet recognised for the skilled residence pathways (such as the Skilled Migrant Category). Immigration New Zealand
• The NOL is a newer classification standard — it replaced ANZSCO in November 2024 and will be updated annually. Immigration New Zealand
• Because the shift to the NOL is being introduced in stages, processes may evolve and you’ll need to check carefully for your specific role, employer situation and eligibility.

What to watch out for / tips

• If you’re an employer: Ensure you update your job descriptions and remuneration packages to reflect the skill levels under the NOL and align with the specific occupation code.
• If you’re a migrant worker: If you’re moving from a skill level 4 or 5 role to one of the new skill level 1-3 roles, check whether your experience and qualification meet the criteria for eligibility to extend to 5 years.
• Ensure you’re using the correct NOL occupation code for your role: mismatches can delay or derail applications. Immigration New Zealand
• Stay updated: The list of recognised occupations under the NOL may be updated, so what is eligible now could change in future.
• Recognise the difference between work visa eligibility and residence eligibility — the fact a job is eligible for AEWV does not mean it makes you eligible automatically for skilled residence.

Looking ahead
This change signals the government’s intent to make the AEWV scheme more flexible and inclusive of a broader range of occupations — especially in skill levels 1-3. It may open up opportunities for both employers and migrant workers. Over time, as the NOL is further rolled out and updated annually, we may see further changes in what roles are eligible, how recruitment and job-checks operate, and how this links into longer-term residence pathways.

For employer and migrant advisers, it will be increasingly important to stay abreast of these changes, ensure documentation and processes align with the NOL skill levels and codes, and manage transitions for workers already in New Zealand.

Here is the National Occupation List occupations used for an AEWV or SPWV: Immigration New Zealand