Changes to Partner of a Worker Work Visa confirmed
Changes to Partner of a Worker Work Visa confirmed
From 31 May 2023, partners of Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) and Essential Skills Work Visa (ESWV) holders who apply for a new Partner of a Worker Work Visa may have new work conditions in the visa.
Changes to Partner of a Worker Work Visa have now been confirmed. These changes are part of the Government’s plan to rebalance the Immigration system to support a higher-productivity, higher-wage economy.
Work conditions for partners of migrant workers
People who successfully apply for a Partner of a Worker Work Visa on or after 31 May 2023 may have new conditions that mean:
- they can only work for an Accredited Employer
- they cannot work in roles covered by capped Post Study Work Visa).
Exceptions for partners of highly paid and Green List workers
Some partners of AEWV or ESWV holders will continue to be eligible for a work visa allowing them to work in any occupation for any employer in New Zealand, with no median wage threshold. This includes partners of:
- migrants who are paid at least twice the median wage, or
- migrants who are working in a role on the Green List.
These exceptions include migrants who did not meet these requirements when they received their visa, but have since met them through a pay increase or their role being added to the Green List. Evidence of eligibility will be needed as part of the Partner of a Worker Work Visa application, or through a Variation of Conditions request.
Some AEWV and ESWV holders cannot support a partner work visa
AEWV holders who are covered by a sector agreement and paid below the median wage are not eligible to support a partner work visa. ESWV holders paid below the median wage (or lower-skilled if the visa application was made before 27 July 2020) are also not eligible to support a partner work visa.
If they receive a pay rise that means they earn at least the median wage, they may be able to support their partner for a work visa. They do not need to apply for a new work visa to support a partner, unless they want their eligibility for a longer work visa to be assessed based on the new salary. This is because partners generally receive a visa for the same length of time as their supporting partner’s work visa.
Partners of temporary workers can explore other visas to see if they are eligible to apply in their own right. Partners who do not want to work can apply for a Visitor Visa.
