Some AEWV holders will find it harder to bring families to New Zealand
The New Zealand government has begun implementing sponsoring restrictions for some migrant workers under the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV).
In an announcement, the government said AEWV holders in roles at Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) levels 4 and 5 without a pathway to residency are "no longer able to support work, visitor, or student visa applications for their partners and dependent children."
"Partners and dependent children will still be able to apply for a visa in their own right to come to New Zealand, such as an Accredited Employer Work Visa or an international student visa, provided they meet the requirements," the government added.
The restriction has been implemented since June 26, months after the government first announced it in April.
According to the government, the restriction will not affect the following:
- People that already hold visas as a partner or dependent child
- AEWV holders working in ANZSCO level 4 and 5 roles with a pathway to residency, such as the Green List, sector agreements with residence pathways
- Those earning at least 1.5 times the median wage threshold for the Skilled Migrant Category
Those who have an application as a partner or dependent child in progress also won't be affected, the government added.
"Those applications will be considered against the requirements that were in place on the date they applied."
The latest restriction is part of the government's list of measures to reduce the risks of putting New Zealanders out of work amid near-record migration changes. In April 2024, departing migrants hit a new record to fuel brain drain fears in New Zealand.
