New Zealand modifies AEW visa rules

In New Zealand, those who hold Accredited Employer Work Visas will not be allowed to support work or student visa applications for their partners or dependent children.
With effect from 26 June, 2024, people possessing an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) and working in levels 4 and 5 of the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) with no way to obtaining residency will not be permitted to support work, visitor or student visa applications for their partners and dependent offspring.
However, partners and dependent children may independently apply for a visa on their own, such as an AEWV or an international student visa, as long as they are able to fulfil the eligibility criteria.
Those who already possess visas as a partner or dependent child will not be affected by this change in rules. Those in the Green List, such as people with AEWV and already employed in ANZSCO levels 4 and 5 with a pathway to residency, will not be impacted by the changes either. Those with incomes that are 1.5 times the median wage threshold for the Skilled Migrant Category will also not be affected.
Those whose applications for visas as a partner or dependent child are being processed already need not worry about the rule change affecting them.
If you have an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) you must earn above a certain amount to support a visa for your partner or dependent child.
It is pertinent to mention here that earlier this year, New Zealand had implemented significant changes to its Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) scheme in response to a near-record surge in migration in 2023. The government found this influx unsustainable, and therefore, aimed to prioritise both New Zealand citizens and highly-skilled migrants.
There are now stricter requirements for low-skilled job seekers. Applicants must now demonstrate English language proficiency and meet minimum skills and work-experience thresholds. Additionally, the maximum continuous stay for most low-skilled roles was reduced from five to three years in April 2024.