91 new roles to be recognised for AEWVs

From 3 November 2025, we will recognise 91 new occupations from the National Occupation List for Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) applications. These roles will be at skill levels 1 to 3.

An employer must first advertise the role and genuinely try to appoint a suitable New Zealander. Where that is not possible, an employer must be accredited and apply for a job check to hire a migrant worker in one of these roles. Their job description and remuneration must clearly match the responsibilities and skill level of the role they choose.

An AEWV holder in a skill level 1 to 3 role can stay in New Zealand longer and may be able to bring family. Some AEWV holders currently working in directly relevant skill level 4 or 5 roles may be able to move into one of these 91 new roles. They will need to have either:

• at least 3 years of directly relevant work experience

• a recognised qualification.

If they meet these criteria, they may be able to apply for a further AEWV to extend their maximum continuous stay to 5 years.

At this stage, these occupations are being recognised for the AEWV only. They are not recognised for skilled residence pathways.

The National Occupation List became New Zealand’s official job classification standard in November 2024 and will be updated annually. It is replacing ANZSCO, the Australia and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations.

Because this is a significant change, we are introducing the National Occupation List into our systems in stages. We will keep employers, migrants and advisers informed as we make changes.

Changes coming for AEWV holders on a Skilled Migrant Category pathway

As part of changes to the Skilled Migrant Category, the Government has agreed to introduce a 12-month pathway for further visas for AEWV holders who:

• are reaching their maximum continuous stay

• need up to 12 more months to meet the Skilled Migrant Category’s New Zealand work experience requirement, and

• meet the relevant wage rate.

We will provide more information on this next year.