New Zealand’s immigration authorities have announced upcoming changes to the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) system, affecting both the online application form for Green List occupations and wage thresholds for visa eligibility.
The updates are set to take effect from July 7th, 2025 for the application form and from August 18th 2025 for wage threshold adjustments.
According to New Zealand Immigration, these changes have been made to simplify the application process and ensure that immigration settings align with labour market conditions.
AEWV Application Form to Be Updated for Green List Roles
Starting July 7th, 2025, the AEWV application form will be revised to improve how applicants apply for Green List roles and those that require occupational registration. The form will no longer include occupation-specific questions. Instead, it will use broader, general questions applicable to a range of job roles.
New Zealand Immigration stated, “Occupation-specific questions will be replaced with more general ones. While the number of questions may remain similar, they will apply more broadly across roles.”
This change, as stated, is expected to simplify the process and reduce confusion for applicants.
In addition, the form will now display the specific criteria required for each Green List occupation directly within the form itself. This is meant to help applicants clearly understand the requirements they must meet. Immigration officials have said this will also allow for quicker updates to the form as Green List job requirements evolve.
These changes will apply only to roles listed on the Green List and positions requiring occupational registration. The Green List includes roles in sectors such as health, engineering, and infrastructure, which are considered critical to New Zealand’s workforce needs.
Link to Green list job roles:https://www.immigration.govt.nz/work/requirements-for-work-visas/green-list-occupations-qualifications-and-skills/green-list-roles-jobs-we-need-people-for-in-new-zealand/
Wage Thresholds to Reflect Updated Median Wage
From August 18th, 2025, the wage thresholds used in AEWV assessments will be adjusted to reflect New Zealand’s updated median wage of $33.56 per hour, based on June 2024 data. These thresholds are used to determine eligibility for certain visa pathways and exemptions.
Immigration New Zealand confirmed, “Wage thresholds are used to determine visa criteria for some visas, including AEWV. They are based on New Zealand’s median wage to make sure visa settings match what is happening in the job market.
Under the revised system:
Applicants earning twice the median wage ($67.12 per hour) may qualify for exemptions from the labour market test and minimum skills threshold.
Applicants earning 1.5 times the median wage ($50.34 per hour) may be eligible for the maximum continuous stay of five years on an AEWV.
The adjustments, as related, are part of ongoing efforts to balance the needs of employers seeking skilled workers with protections for local wage levels and job opportunities.
Authorities believe the revised form and wage updates will benefit both applicants and employers by improving clarity, reducing delays, and aligning visa rules with current economic conditions.
Key Events
July 7th, 2025 – The updated AEWV application form goes live, affecting applicants for the Green List and registered occupations.
August 18th, 2025 – New wage thresholds come into effect, based on a median wage of $33.56 per hour.
Immigration New Zealand encourages prospective applicants and employers to review the changes and ensure that applications submitted after these dates meet the new requirements.
