Last updated: November 2024

New Zealand’s Immigration System Introduces the National Occupation List (NOL)

As of 20 November 2024, Stats New Zealand has unveiled the National Occupation List (NOL), set to replace the long-standing ANZSCO system used by Immigration NZ to evaluate job skills for work visa and Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) resident applications. While no official implementation date has been confirmed, it’s anticipated the NOL will take effect in 2025, marking a significant shift in New Zealand’s immigration processes.

What’s Changing?

The NOL introduces updates to eligible occupations and skill levels, including examples below:

  • Newly Added Occupations: Content Creator (Marketing), Influencer, Podcaster, CAD Draftsperson, Aged Care Coordinator

  • Promotions to Higher Skill Levels: Photographer, Anaesthetic Technician, Law Clerk

  • Upgraded to SMC-Eligible Levels (1-3): Cook, Pet Groomer, Nanny, Fitness Instructor, Scaffolder, Slaughterer, Kennel Hand

Occupations No Longer SMC-Eligible: Some roles have been downgraded and are no longer eligible for the Skilled Migrant Category - unless the job is being paid above 1.5 times median wage - including: First Aid Trainer, Horse Riding Coach, Snowsport Instructor, Clinical Coder, Insurance Agent.

Updates to New Zealand's Post-Study Work Visa (PSWV) Policy

On 19 November 2024, Immigration New Zealand (INZ) announced key changes to the Post-Study Work Visa (PSWV) eligibility criteria. Here’s what’s new:

  • Under the new policy, students who complete a Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) can now apply for a PSWV even if their Master’s degree was less than 30 weeks of study. Students completing higher-level qualifications have 12 months post-study to apply for PSWV based on their eligible qualifications.

  • To Qualify for a 3-Year PSWV: Students must complete at least 30 weeks of full-time study in New Zealand, enrolled in the Master’s degree itself.

Updates to Qualifications Eligible for a Post-Study Work Visa (PSWV)

Immigration New Zealand has introduced changes to the list of qualifications that qualify for a Post-Study Work Visa (PSWV), expanding opportunities for teaching and engineering graduates. Key Changes:

  • Secondary School Teachers: Applicants no longer need a Bachelor’s degree specialising in Science, Mathematics, Technology, or Pacific Languages to qualify for a PSWV.

  • Primary and Intermediate School Teachers: Graduates with NZ graduate diplomas and meet the Teaching Council’s registration requirements are able to get a PSWV to work as a primary or intermediate school teacher.

  • Mechanical Engineering Technicians: The New Zealand Diploma in Engineering (Level 6) with a strand in Mechanical Engineering, has been added to the PSWV-eligible qualifications list.

These updates create new pathways for skilled graduates to gain work experience in New Zealand. Check out more information here.

Post-Study Work Visa – Cross Crediting from Postgraduate Diploma to Master’s

To be eligible for a PSWV, postgraduate diplomas (Level 8) and master’s qualifications (Level 9) require at least 30 weeks of full-time study in the specific program. Students must hold a student visa for the program and apply for their PSWV within three months of the visa’s expiry.

If a student cross-credits a PG Dip to a master’s and wants a three-year PSWV, they must have completed at least 30 weeks of full-time study in the master’s program. Read more here.

Student Visa Timing – Apply Three Months Before Travel - Read more here.

Duration of Post-Study Work Visa

Qualification Type

Full-time Study Duration in NZ

Duration of Post-Study Work Visa

(i) Non-degree Level 7 or below

Full duration required to obtain the qualification

Equivalent to the duration the student spent studying the qualification in NZ, as determined by the education provider

(ii) Level 7 Bachelor’s Degree or Level 8 Qualification

At least 30 weeks

Equivalent to the duration the student spent studying the qualification in NZ, as determined by the education provider

(iii) Level 9 or 10 Qualification (Master’s or Doctoral Degree)

At least 30 weeks

3 years

(iv) Consecutive Qualifications

At least 30 weeks per qualification

Total duration spent studying all qualifications in NZ, up to a maximum of three years

(v) Non-degree Level 8 Qualification or Below Requiring Occupational Registration

Meets criteria for item (i) if the qualification is non-degree Level 7 or below; or meets criteria for item (ii) if it’s non-degree Level 8

1 year in addition to the time spent studying the qualification in NZ, not to exceed a total of three years

Visa Charges Increase Effective from 1 October 2024

The New Zealand Government has announced that visa charges, including fees and levies, will increase from 1 October 2024. Read more here.

New Zealand Broadens Work Rights for Dependants of International Students

Immigration New Zealand has broadened the eligibility criteria for work visas for partners of some international students. Dependants can now apply for a Partner of Student Work Visa with open work rights if their partner is pursuing a specified level 7 or 8 bachelor’s or bachelor’s (honours) degree that leads directly to professional registration required for a Green List role. Green List roles are occupations that the New Zealand government has classified as being in high demand. These include positions in health care, STEM fields, and more. Read more here.

Changes to the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV)

The NZ Government has announced changes to the Accredited Employer Work Visa. If you currently hold an AEWV, these adjustments might impact the duration of your stay or your eligibility for further extension within New Zealand.

If you secured your initial AEWV before June 21, 2023, and are employed in ANZSCO level 4 or 5 roles meeting or exceeding the stipulated wage, and currently possess a three-year AEWV, your maximum duration of stay, previously set at five years, will undergo changes.

For individuals engaged in ANZSCO level 4 and 5 occupations aiming for residency, modifications to the maximum continuous stay and visa duration won't apply.

Starting from April 7, 2024, when applying for a renewed AEWV, adherence to the updated criteria is mandatory. If you're in an ANZSCO level 4 or 5 role, the maximum permissible stay of five years may not be guaranteed. Read more here.

New Zealand now enforces elevated prerequisites concerning work experience and qualifications, alongside a mandated English proficiency level for applicants targeting roles assessed at ANZSCO skill levels 4 and 5. Additionally, certain positions entail a reduced duration of stay within the country.

More information about IELTS requirement -

1. Minimum standard of English

2. English language test results required

Your result must be no more than 2 years old at the time you apply and must be obtained by sitting the test in person at a test centre. Tests taken remotely outside of a test centre, such as ‘at home’ tests are not acceptable.

3. IELTS One Skill Retake (OSR)

In 2023 the International English Language Test System (IELTS) provider introduced a One Skill Retake option for both their Academic and General Training tests. The IELTS One Skill Retake must be completed within 60 days of the original test date.

New minimum skill requirement

To apply, applicants will need either three years of relevant work experience or a qualification at level 4 or higher on the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF).

If the qualification is below a Bachelor’s degree, applicants will need to provide evidence along with an International Qualification Assessment (IQA).

To prove work experience, applicants will need to provide evidence showing that they've done the work.

Minimum standard of English

For roles classified under ANZSCO levels 4 or 5, demonstrating proficiency in spoken and written English is necessary.

However, this doesn't apply to ongoing applications or individuals accompanying AEWV applicants as their partners or children.

Shorter visa length and stay in New Zealand for some jobs

For ANZSCO level 4 and 5 positions meeting or exceeding the required AEWV wage, the maximum visa duration is now capped at 2 years, extendable for an additional year with a fresh Job Check.

The overall duration for staying in New Zealand, known as maximum continuous stay, on one or more AEWVs, is now limited to 3 years. Upon reaching this limit, a specified period of departure, typically 12 months, is necessary before applying for another AEWV.

These adjustments affect applicants who applied for their initial AEWV on or after April 7, 2024, or before June 21, 2023.

Certain ANZSCO level 4 and 5 positions remain unaffected by these changes, including those listed in the Green List, positions covered under transport and care sector agreements, and those progressing towards residency while earning 1.5 times the median wage.

The AEWV duration and maximum continuous stay for individuals in ANZSCO level 1 to 3 roles remain unchanged at 5 years.

Changes to Work to Residence and occupations on the Green List

Bus and truck drivers seeking an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) on or after April 7, 2024, and those commencing employment as bus or truck drivers under an open work visa from the same date, won't qualify to apply for a Transport Work to Residence visa.

However, individuals who currently possess an AEWV, those who have already applied for one (pending approval), and those on open work visas who have commenced work before this date will remain eligible for a Transport Work to Residence visa.

You can still count work experience gained from these roles towards your residence visa if, on or before 6 April 2024, you:

  • started working in one of these roles, on any work visa, or

  • received an Accredited Employer Work Visa to work in one of these roles, or

  • applied for an AEWV to work in one of these roles, and were successful in your application, or

  • signed an employment agreement and had started work within 1 month of either signing it or being granted a non-AEWV visa. (For example, a Partner of Worker Work Visa) Read more here.

On 8 April 2024, 6 roles will be added to the Green List, equating to 9 ANZSCO occupations, read more here.