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Primary School Teachers Now on the Straight to Residence Pathway

25/2/2025

Starting 26 March 2025, primary school teachers will be added to the Green List Straight to Residence pathway, making it easier for qualified educators to gain residence in New Zealand. This move aims to address ongoing workforce shortages in the education sector.

What This Means for Teachers

Offshore teachers can now apply for residence directly before arriving in New Zealand.
Teachers already in New Zealand on the Work to Residence pathway can switch to the Straight to Residence Visa.

Eligibility Criteria
To qualify, applicants must:

Be a registered teacher in New Zealand with a practising certificate.
Have a job or job offer with a salary of at least $31.61 per hour.
Work as a primary, intermediate, or Māori-medium primary teacher.

This policy change makes New Zealand an even more attractive destination for skilled teachers looking for a long-term career. If you're eligible, now is the time to plan your move!

Source: INZ website

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Major Changes in the AEWV Category in 2025: What You Need to Know

24/2/2025

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New Zealand’s immigration system is set for major updates in 2025, with key changes to the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) and wage requirements. Announced in December 2024, these updates aim to better align the system with industry needs. Immigration New Zealand (INZ) will roll out these changes gradually throughout the year.

Key Changes Effective March 10, 2025

Median Wage Requirement Removed for AEWV and SPWV
Employers hiring under the AEWV and Specific Purpose Work Visa (SPWV) will no longer have to meet the median wage threshold. Instead, they must pay workers at least the minimum wage, which increases to NZD $23.50 per hour on April 1. However, workers must still be paid at the market rate for their role.

As a result, sector agreements that previously granted exemptions to the median wage will be scrapped—except for those tied to residence pathways. This also means job restrictions, such as visa duration limits and employment caps, will be lifted for affected roles.

Existing AEWV holders must continue receiving wages as per their contracts and visa conditions.

Work Experience Requirement Reduced to Two Years
The minimum work experience requirement for migrant workers drops from three years to two. Employers must confirm that applicants meet this requirement, and workers must provide proof. This adjustment makes it easier for skilled workers to qualify while still ensuring fair hiring practices.

Streamlined MSD Engagement for Employers
Employers hiring for lower-skilled roles (ANZSCO levels 4 and 5) must still advertise with the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) and interview suitable candidates. However, from March 10, the process will shift to a declaration-based system, meaning employers will only need to keep records for potential INZ verification.

Longer Visas for Low-Skilled Workers
AEWV holders in ANZSCO skill levels 4 and 5 will now be eligible for a three-year visa, eliminating shorter renewals and providing more stability.

Higher Income Requirement for Supporting Dependent Children
From March 10, AEWV holders who want to support dependent children must earn at least NZD $55,844 annually, up from NZD $43,322.76. This figure represents 80% of the median wage and will be updated yearly. Children already in New Zealand under the previous threshold won’t be affected.

Certain Jobs Upgraded to Higher Skill LevelsINZ is transitioning from the ANZSCO classification system to the National Occupation List (NOL), which means some roles will now be considered higher skilled. From March 10, 2025, the following jobs will be reclassified as ANZSCO skill level 3:

Cook
Pet groomer
Kennel hand
Nanny
Fitness instructor
Scaffolder
Slaughterer

Additionally, the following roles will be classified as skill level 3 if they require either three years of experience or a Level 4 qualification:

Agricultural and horticultural mobile plant operator
Excavator operator
Forklift driver
Mobile plant operators (not elsewhere classified)

Other Important UpdatesInterim Visa Work Rights (April 2025)
AEWV applicants will soon be allowed to work on an interim visa if they apply while holding a valid work visa or a student visa with work rights. Any time spent working on an interim visa will count toward their continuous stay and work experience for residence eligibility.

Median Wage Updates (February 28, 2025)

AEWV holders sponsoring a partner must earn at least NZD $26.85 per hour.
The income threshold for Parent Category sponsors will be adjusted to NZD $33.56 per hour.

These updates follow Statistics New Zealand’s latest median earnings data to ensure migrants supporting family members have adequate income.

What This Means for Employers and Migrant Workers
These changes will have a direct impact on both businesses and workers. Employers need to adapt to new wage rules, recruitment processes, and skill classifications, while migrants should understand how these shifts will affect their visa applications and work eligibility.

Source: INZ website

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One-off Increase in Parent Category Resident Visa Quota: What It Means for Applicants

24/2/2025

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Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has announced a one-off increase in the Parent Category Resident Visa quota for the current financial year, offering hope to more families seeking to reunite in New Zealand. This adjustment allows additional visas to be issued beyond the standard annual limit, ensuring that more approved applicants can secure their residency.
Understanding the Parent Category QuotaEach financial year, INZ is permitted to grant 2,500 Parent Category Resident Visas. This total is split into two groups:

2,000 visas allocated to queue applications (those who applied under the previous system before October 2016).
500 visas allocated to ballot applications (those who applied after the category reopened in 2022).

Due to high demand, INZ has approved in principle more queue applications than usual for this financial year, which runs until 30 June 2025.
One-off Increase: More Visas GrantedTo address this backlog, the Minister of Immigration has approved an additional 331 visas for queue applicants, allowing them to receive their residency earlier than expected. Those impacted by this increase will be contacted directly by INZ or their immigration advisers to confirm whether they wish to proceed under the new instructions.
Meanwhile, the issuance of ballot visas will continue until the 500 available slots are filled.
What Happens Next?

For those within the new quota: If your application was approved in principle and falls within the additional 331 spots, you will be contacted by INZ.
For those still waiting: Applications exceeding the increased quota will experience some delays, but processing is expected to speed up towards the end of the financial year.
Future quotas: The annual limit of 2,500 Parent Category Resident Visas (including both queue and ballot applications) will remain in place for the next financial year.

What This Means for ApplicantsThis decision provides much-needed relief for families eager to reunite with their loved ones in New Zealand. If you or your family members have an active Parent Category Resident Visa application, keep an eye out for communication from INZ.
Final ThoughtsWith this temporary increase, more families will have the opportunity to settle in New Zealand sooner. If you are affected by these changes, ensure you stay informed and respond promptly to INZ’s communication. For those still in the queue, patience is key as processing is expected to accelerate in the coming months.
For expert guidance on your immigration journey, consider consulting a licensed immigration adviser to navigate the process smoothly.

Source: INZ website

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New Zealand Immigration News

Primary School Teachers Now on the Straight to Residence Pathway

Major Changes in the AEWV Category in 2025: What You Need to Know

One-off Increase in Parent Category Resident Visa Quota: What It Means for Applicants

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New Zealand Immigration News​

Primary School Teachers Now on the Straight to Residence Pathway

Major Changes in the AEWV Category in 2025: What You Need to Know

One-off Increase in Parent Category Resident Visa Quota: What It Means for Applicants

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Archives

New Zealand Immigration News