Immigration New Zealand (INZ) is set to introduce changes to the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) programme from November 3rd, 2025, adding 87 new occupations to the list of roles recognised for skilled migrant employment.
As revealed in a recent announcement from INZ, the change will introduce new occupations at skill levels 1 to 3 under the National Occupation List (NOL). These occupations will be officially recognised in immigration instructions for AEWV applications from November 2025.
The NOL is New Zealand’s current system for classifying jobs. It replaced the Australia and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) in November 2024 and was last updated on July 1st, 2025. The NOL shows what jobs and skills exist in today’s labour market and is updated every year.
INZ stated that the transition from ANZSCO to the NOL is being introduced in stages due to the scale of the change. “We are implementing the NOL gradually and will continue to inform employers, migrants, and advisers as updates are made,” INZ said.
Until the change is complete, both NOL and ANZSCO job lists will be shown in Immigration New Zealand’s online system. This lets employers and visa applicants choose and use the system that best matches their job or occupation until the full change to the NOL is finished.
Changes Effective From November 2025
From November 2025, accredited employers will be able to submit job checks for any of the 87 new NOL-recognised roles. AEWV holders employed in skill level 1 to 3 positions will continue to have access to existing visa conditions, including the ability to stay in New Zealand for up to five years and, in some cases, support family visa applications.
INZ noted that some AEWV holders currently working in directly relevant skill level 4 or 5 roles may be eligible to move into one of the newly recognised occupations. To do so, they must have either at least three years of directly relevant work experience or a recognised qualification. If these conditions are met, they can apply for a further AEWV to extend their stay in New Zealand.
Requirements for Employers
It is stated that employers seeking to hire migrant workers in one of the newly recognised NOL occupations must follow standard AEWV procedures. This includes;
Advertising the position to New Zealanders first and applying for a job check once it is confirmed that no suitable local candidates are available.
All AEWV settings for skill levels 1 to 3 remain in place, including:
- Wage thresholds,
- Accreditation requirements, and
- The maximum visa duration
INZ advised employers to ensure their job descriptions and remuneration align clearly with the responsibilities and skill level outlined in the relevant NOL or ANZSCO occupation.
“Employers should confirm that their accreditation is current and that job details accurately reflect the role’s classification,” INZ said.
Accessing the Updated Occupation List
The list of 87 newly recognised occupations under the NOL is available on Immigration New Zealand’s website.
INZ noted that the list has been updated since it was first published and will form part of the ongoing transition to the NOL framework from November 2025.
