Immigration NZ have made changes to visa conditions for new Partner of Worker Work Visas. Many people who apply for these visas from 31 May, 2023 will need to work for an Accredited Employer and be paid at least the median wage.
If you currently employ someone on a Partner of a Worker Work Visa, learn more about changes you may need to make if they apply for a further visa:
The changes affect new visas and there are some exceptions – of note, AEWV holders who are covered by a sector agreement (there are some roles in the hospitality industry covered by a sector agreement) and paid below the median wage are not eligible to support a partner work visa.
The requirement to only work for an Accredited Employer affects people who apply for a Partner of a Worker Work Visa on or after 31 May 2023. This includes most partners of temporary workers who hold an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) or an Essential Skills Work Visa (ESWV).
You may need to become an Accredited Employer but you do not need to complete a job check to hire someone on a Partner of Worker Work Visa.
The changes do not affect current work visa conditions or people who applied before 31 May. There are no changes to visa conditions for partners of New Zealanders or partners of those holding other work visas (such as a Post Study Work Visa).
Some partners of AEWV and ESWV holders will continue to be eligible for a work visa allowing them to work in any occupation for any employer in New Zealand, with no median wage threshold. This includes partners of:
- Migrants who are paid at least twice the median wage, or
- Migrants who are working in a role on the Green List.
You can check a migrant’s visa conditions using VisaView.
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Immigration update – medan wage increase, new Recovery Visa, variations