Policy verified from immigration.govt.nz as of 2024-06-26
Effective 26 June 2024, Accredited Employer Work Visa holders at ANZSCO skill levels 4 and 5 without residency pathways can no longer sponsor partner and dependent child visas, including work, visitor, and student categories.
What Is Changing
Starting from this date, if you hold an AEWV at ANZSCO skill levels 4 or 5 and do not have a pathway to residence, you will not be able to sponsor your partner or dependent children for visas in New Zealand.
This modification reflects earlier AEWV reforms and mirrors the previous Essential Skills Work Visa framework.
Key Points
- Partners and dependents remain eligible to apply independently for visas if they satisfy individual requirements
- The change only affects sponsorship — not independent visa applications
- Current visa holders are not affected by this change
Who Is Not Affected
The policy does not apply to:
- Current visa holders whose visas were granted before this date
- AEWV holders (levels 4-5) with residency access through Green List positions
- Those covered by sector agreements
- Workers earning 1.5 times the median wage
- Applications submitted before the change date
What You Should Do
If you are an AEWV holder at ANZSCO levels 4 or 5 and want to bring your family to New Zealand, understanding your options is critical. ProVisas can assess whether you qualify for an exemption or whether alternative pathways exist for your partner and dependents.
Check your eligibility or WhatsApp us for a free consultation.
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