Base Immigration Consultants

18/02/2026

INZ update-18 February 2026

47 new roles added to the National Occupation List;

From 9 March 2026, 47 new roles will be recognised at skill level 1 to 3 roles for Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) applications, while 3 roles are being reclassified to skill level 4.
These changes are part of reflecting the National Occupation List (NOL), New Zealand’s new job classification standard that is replacing the Australia and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO).

The skill level determines which requirements apply, such as advertising rules for employers and whether migrants need to meet English language requirements. It also impacts visa length and whether migrants can bring family. Higher skilled roles are subject to fewer requirements and offer more favourable conditions.

The 3 occupations that will be reclassified from skill level 3 to 4 are pet groomer, nanny and kennel hand.

Any Job Check applications for these roles submitted on or after 9 March 2026 will need to meet requirements for a skill level 4 occupation – including advertising longer and engaging with Work and Income. Any Job Check applications submitted before this date will be assessed at skill level 3. Any AEWV applications will be assessed at the skill level the Job Check was approved for.

Median wage and indexed thresholds to increase

On 9 March 2026, the immigration median wage will increase to NZ$35.00 per hour (up from NZ$33.56).
The median wage rate we use changes each year, meaning wage thresholds based on it also increase.
From March 2025, employers have only had to pay the market rate rather than the median wage under the AEWV.
However, some requirements continue to be linked to the median wage – including to determine eligibility for some visas, what migrant workers need to earn to gain work experience for skilled residence pathways, and whether they can bring family to New Zealand.
It can also affect how long migrants can stay in New Zealand and what Job Check advertising requirements apply to employers.
Employers must pay their migrant worker the relevant wage threshold in place when they start working on their visa. They do not need to provide pay increases for existing workers, unless they are changing visas.
Updates to sponsorship income thresholds for the Parent Category and Parent Boost Visitor Visa will be communicated separately and take effect later in 2026.

Key changes
• Immigration median wage increases:
From: NZ$33.56/hour → To: NZ$35.00/hour
• Partnership-based work visa sponsorship threshold (80% of median wage):
From: NZ$26.85/hour → To: NZ$28.00/hour

What this affects;
• Partners being supported for a Partner of a Worker Work Visa where the principal applicant must meet a wage threshold.
• Some AEWV and other visa settings that reference the median wage.
• Future applications lodged on or after 9 March 2026 — the new rate applies.
Practical implications;
• If someone is currently earning below $28/hour, they may not meet partnership sponsorship requirements after the change.
• Employment agreements, variation letters, or pay increases may be needed before lodging applications.
• For clients you’re advising (given your immigration work), timing lodgements before or after the change could be strategic.

With upcoming changes to immigration settings, including adjustments to the median wage and related visa requirements, we encourage all prospective applicants and employers to seek professional advice to understand how these updates may affect their plans.

We invite you to contact our team to discuss your individual circumstances and develop a strategy to ensure you are well-prepared and positioned for the changes. Early planning can help avoid delays and ensure compliance with the new requirements.
Please feel free to get in touch with us to arrange a consultation.

Call now to connect with business.

25/12/2025

Holiday Closure Notice,

Season’s greetings from Base Immigration Consultants.

We would like to inform our valued clients and partners that our office will be closed for business from 25 December 2025 and will reopen on 12 January 2026.

During this period, our services will be temporarily unavailable.

However, urgent queries may be directed to [email protected] and will be attended to on a priority basis where possible.

We sincerely thank you for your continued confidence and support throughout the year. We extend our best wishes to you and your families for a Merry Christmas and a safe, prosperous, and successful New Year.

Yours sincerely,

Base Immigration Consultants

22/12/2025

Big win today! 🎉
We’re thrilled to share that we’ve secured a Work Visa approval today under a Reconsideration application with Immigration New Zealand — after a tough fight to get a wrong decision overturned and despite the visa being declined initially.
This case is a strong reminder that a decline is not always the end of the road. With the right strategy, detailed submissions, and persistence, positive outcomes are still possible — even in complex and challenging situations.
If your work visa has been declined, or you’ve been told there are no options left, there may still be a pathway forward. Every case is different, and expert guidance can make all the difference.
📩 Reach out to us to discuss your situation — we’re here to fight for the best possible outcome.

23/09/2025

INZ update-Skilled migrant resident visa-23 September 2025

The Government has announced changes to the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa that will help employers retain skilled workers and support long-term economic growth.
Two new residence pathways will be introduced under the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) Resident Visa.
• Skilled work experience pathway — for migrants in skilled roles ( ANZSCO skill level 1 to 3) with at least 5 years of directly relevant work experience, including 2 years in New Zealand, earning at least 1.1 times the median wage.
• Trades and technician pathway — for migrants in specified trades or technician roles who hold a relevant Level 4 or higher qualification and have at least 4 years of post-qualification experience, including 18 months in New Zealand paid at or above the median wage.
These pathways are designed to better reflect the value of practical skills and migrants’ contribution to New Zealand’s workforce. Additional eligibility criteria will apply to certain occupations to manage immigration risk and ensure the pathways remain targeted to genuine skill needs.
The changes also include increased points for New Zealand university-level qualifications, making it easier for graduates to transition to residence. This supports the International Education Plan for Growth by recognising the value of local qualifications and encouraging international students to study here.
The New Zealand work experience requirements will be modestly reduced for some current pathways. This change reduces the amount of New Zealand work experience required for most migrants, from a maximum of 3 years to a maximum of 2 years. This helps improve the international competitiveness of the SMC settings to better attract and retain skilled and talented migrants.
Other changes also include removing the requirement to have an increased wage rate when applying for residence. Instead, migrants will only need to maintain the same median wage rate throughout their required period of New Zealand work experience.
These changes come into effect in August 2026, and we will provide detailed information closer to the time.
The announcement forms part of the Government’s Going for Growth programme, which includes actions to refine the Accredited Employer Work Visa, improve education outcomes, and support young job seekers into employment or training.

13/06/2025

INZ Update 13 June 2025- Green List expanding to meet skilled trades shortages

The Government is expanding the Green List to help address shortages in the skilled trades workforce.

On 18 August 2025, 10 skilled trades occupations will be added to the Green List Work to Residence pathway, allowing them to apply for residence after working in New Zealand for two years.

The trade occupations are:

• Metal Fabricator
• Pressure Welder
• Welder
• Fitter (General)
• Fitter and Turner
• Fitter-Welder
• Metal Machinist (First Class)
• Panel Be**er
• Vehicle Painter
• Paving Plant Operator

Work to Residence Visa applicants must meet the skills, work experience and wage requirements. Standard health, character, language and age requirements also apply.

Please note that the median wage thresholds for skilled residence visas will be updated in August as part of our annual review.

Call now to connect with business.

08/06/2025

INZ update- 08 June 2025- Parent Boost Visitor Visa

The Government is introducing a Parent Boost Visitor Visa to allow parents of New Zealand citizens and residents to stay in New Zealand for up to 5 years.

To be eligible, applicants must:

have an eligible sponsor, and they or their sponsor must have enough income or funds
meet residence-level health requirements
hold comprehensive health insurance for the duration of their stay
genuinely intend to stay in New Zealand temporarily.
Visa holders will need to complete a health and insurance check 3 years after their visa is granted.

People can apply for the visa twice, allowing up to 10 years stay in New Zealand with their families if they meet requirements.

Applications open on 29 September 2025, and more details on the requirements will be available closer to this date.

31/03/2025

INZ Upadet-31 March 2025

Work rights for more Interim Visa holders

From 8 April 2025, more Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) applicants can receive Interim Visas that allow them to work in New Zealand if their visa expires while we are assessing their application.
To be eligible, the applicant must hold either a work visa or a student visa that allows them to work during term time, have applied for an AEWV and receive their Interim Visa on or after 8 April.
Their Interim Visa will allow them to work for the accredited employer and the job specified in their AEWV application, enabling them to move into their job more quickly.
Interim Visas are usually granted automatically to eligible customers. If a migrant receives an Interim Visa, they can show you their visa letter, which will say whether they can work and what conditions apply. Please note that Interim Visa conditions are not shown when checking a migrant’s work rights using VisaView.
If the applicant intends to apply for a Work to Residence Visa, time spent working on the Interim Visa can count towards their New Zealand work experience requirements.

24/02/2025

INZ Update-24 February 2025-One-off increase in Parent Category quota.
A one-off increase in the Parent Category quota is being implemented, to enable applications that have been approved in principle to be issued this financial year.
Immigration New Zealand (INZ) can grant 2,500 Parent Category Resident Visas each financial year. This currently consists of 2,000 visas to people who made ‘queue’ applications and 500 to people who made ‘ballot’ applications.
INZ has approved in principle more Parent Category Resident Visas to people who made queue applications than we are normally allowed to grant this financial year (until 30 June 2025). The Minister of Immigration has agreed to a one-off increase for this financial year to allow us to issue visas to an additional 331 people who have been approved in principle. We will contact those people, or their advisers, directly to confirm they are happy for us to issue their visas under the new instructions.
We will continue issuing visas from the ballot this financial year until 500 have been issued.
The annual Parent Category Resident Visa quota will remain at 2,500 for the next financial year, covering both queue and ballot applications.
While processing for applications where visas cannot be granted this financial year (i.e. for those that would be granted beyond the increased quota) has slowed in recent months, the speed will pick up again towards the end of the financial year. Any questions can be directed to [email protected] or to the relevant Immigration Officer if the application has already been assigned.

20/02/2025

INZ Update-20 February 2025-Changes to the AEWV work visa-

The changes take effect on 10 March. However, some of these changes may impact employers or migrants who are in the process of advertising a job or applying for a Job Check or an AEWV.

• Accredited employers will no longer have to pay specific wage thresholds. Instead, the New Zealand minimum wage applies, and employers need to pay the market rate for the job. This change does not affect existing wages in employment agreements.
• Employers will be able to hire migrants with relevant work experience of 2 years instead of 3 years.
• Employers will need to declare they have advertised lower-skilled roles with Work and Income, and interviewed suitable candidates, and should keep evidence of this in case it is requested later. However, they will no longer need to provide evidence of their engagement in their Job Check.
• The AEWV duration for ANZSCO level 4 and 5 roles will increase to 3 years, to align with the maximum continuous stay. Those currently on 2-year visas will be able to apply for a further year.
• Migrants will need to earn at least NZD$55,844 a year to support dependent children. The previous income threshold will continue to apply where a child held a visa on or had applied for a visa before 10 March 2025.
• Following ANZSCO level 4 and 5 roles will be recognised as ANZSCO level 3.-
• Cook (351411)
• Pet groomer (361113)
• Kennel hand (361115)
• Nanny (421113)
• Fitness instructor (452111)
• Scaffolder (821712)
• Slaughterer (831212)

16/12/2024

INZ Update -17 December 2025-Major reforms to the AEWV scheme and a new seasonal work pathway in 2025.

The Government has announced reforms to the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) scheme, a new seasonal work pathway and work rights for more Interim Visa holders.
The changes will be rolled out during 2025 and include removing wage thresholds, reducing work experience requirements and streamlining the Job Check process.

From 27 January 2025

• Accredited employers will no longer need to complete Employment New Zealand’s online modules or offer migrants paid time to do these. This also applies to Recognised Seasonal Employers.
• The percentage of New Zealanders that certain construction sector businesses must employ will reduce from 35 per cent to 15 per cent.

In March 2025

• Wage thresholds for all AEWV roles will be removed. Employers still need to advertise and offer AEWV employees the market rate for their position and workplace location. This change does not affect existing employment agreements. There are no changes to the wages that AEWV workers must earn to apply for residence.
• Migrants will need to demonstrate 2 years of relevant work experience, instead of 3 years currently.
• Employers will no longer have to provide evidence of engagement with Work and Income in their Job Check. They will need to declare they have advertised lower-skilled roles with Work and Income, and interviewed appropriate candidates.
• The AEWV duration for new migrants in a lower-skilled role will increase to 3 years, to align with the maximum time they can stay in New Zealand on an AEWV. Those currently on two-year visas will be able to apply for a further year.
• AEWV migrants will need to earn at least NZ$55,844 a year to bring children, along with meeting other criteria. This threshold has not been updated since 2019.
Further detail and an implementation date will be released in early 2025.

Other changes announced today include:

• From April 2025, some work and student visa holders who apply for an AEWV can receive an Interim Visa that allows them to work while their AEWV application is processed.
• In mid-2025, a new Job Check process will be in place, to allow for greater streamlining for low-risk employers and improve processing timeframes.
• In November 2025, two new pathways for seasonal workers will be introduced, including a 3-year multi-entry visa for experience workers and a 7-month single entry visa for lesser-skilled workers. The existing temporary seasonal pathways will remain available until then.

22/10/2024

Update from INZ -23 October 2024

Reality has at last dawned on the Government and it has announced open work rights for more partners of work visa holders

The Government has announced that more partners of migrant workers will soon receive visas with open work rights, allowing them to work for any employer.

From 2 December 2024, people granted a Partner of a Worker Work Visa can receive open work rights if their partner holds an Accredited Employer Work Visa and works in a higher-skilled role, or a lower-skilled role on a pathway to residence. This includes migrants:

-working in an ANZSCO Level 1-3 role and paid at least $25.29 an hour (80 percent of the standard median wage for skilled residence visas)

-working in an ANZSCO Level 4-5 role on the Green List or covered by the
Transport or Care Workforce Sector Agreements, and earning at least the wage thresholds for residence

-working in an ANZSCO Level 4-5 role and paid at least 1.5 times the median wage.

It also includes migrants on an Essential Skills Work Visa earning at least $25.29 an hour.

Current Partner of a Worker Work Visa holders will be able to apply for a variation of their visa conditions to switch to open work rights from 2 December, if their partner meets the new criteria.

29/08/2024

Update from INZ-29 August 2024:

Short-term exemptions to AEWV skills requirements for specific roles and sectors.

The Government is making short-term changes to avoid shortages in select sectors while long-term Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) changes are being decided.

From 8 September 2024, an exemption to the AEWV minimum skill requirement will be available for some roles in the following sectors.

Meat and seafood processing
New visa applicants who have been offered a role under the 2024/25 cap in the meat processing or seafood processing sector agreement.

Tourism and hospitality
Existing visa holders with a role in the tourism and hospitality sector that is exempt from paying the February 2023 median wage, if:
• their visa is expiring on or before 31 March 2025
• they are applying for a further 1-year duration AEWV, and
• their application is for the same occupation.

Care workforce
Existing visa holders with a role included in the care workforce sector agreement, if:
• their visa was granted between 4 July 2022 and 23 November 2023
• they were paid at least NZD$26.16 per hour
• they are applying for a further 1-year duration AEWV, and
• their application is for the same occupation.

These changes only exempt AEWV applicants from the minimum skill requirements introduced in April 2024. Applicants will still need to meet any requirements listed by the employer in the Job Check application.

This means that certain applicants with two-year work visas, such as Chef’s assistants and kitchenhands , may not be required to meet the new minimum skill thresholds of having at least three years of relevant work experience or a relevant level 4 qualification for their further one-year duration AEWV.

These changes are part of a wider review of the AEWV to ensure it is fit for purpose. Targeted consultation on potential longer-term options to further improve the AEWV will continue throughout the year.