The New Zealand government this week announced significant changes to visa regulations that are set to impact foreign workers and their families. Aimed at streamlining the visa application process, these adjustments align closely with the country’s economic and immigration priorities.
One of the main changes revolves around the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) holders at ANZSCO skill levels 4 and 5. Under the new rules, those lacking a clear pathway to residency will no longer be able to sponsor their partners and dependent children for work, visitor, or student visas. The change seeks to align the AEWV scheme with its predecessor, the Essential Skills Work Visa program.
‘Pathway to residency’
“From today, 26 June 2024, people holding an AEWV 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,” the New Zealand said in a press statement.
Despite these revisions, partners and dependent children can still pursue their visas independently, provided they meet specific criteria. The current visa holders under partnership or dependent statuses remain unaffected, alongside AEWV holders in ANZSCO levels 4 and 5 with established residency pathways, including those on the Green List and sector agreements.
“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 has made this change to align with the broader suite of changes to the AEWV scheme earlier this year, and returns the settings to similar ones under the previous Essential Skills Work Visa,” the release added.
READ MORE: ‘English Requirement And Minimum Skills’: New Zealand Tightens Visa Rules Amid Near-Record Migration
Meanwhile, the New Zealand Government has assured that ongoing applications for partner or dependent child visas will be evaluated under the regulations effective at their submission date. For those who had already initiated their family’s visa applications before June 26, 2024, there remains a possibility to sponsor visas under specific conditions. This applies to scenarios where applicants had existing visas based on their relationship or had pending applications approved after the regulation change.
Regarding income thresholds, AEWV holders in ANZSCO skill levels 4 or 5 earning less than NZD 47.41 per hour may still sponsor visas for partners or dependent children. However, different financial proofs apply, such as NZD 29.66 per hour for a partner under a Worker Work Visa and an annual proof of at least NZD 43,322.76 for a child under a Worker Visitor Visa or a Dependent Child Student Visa. For earners below NZD 29.66 per hour, sponsoring a Partner of a Worker Visitor Visa remains an option. Moreover, those meeting higher income thresholds or specific job criteria listed on the Green List may sponsor work visas under open conditions.
Comments
0 comment