Starting 3 November 2025, Immigration New Zealand (INZ) will recognise 91 new skilled occupations (Levels 1–3) under the National Occupation List (NOL) for Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) applications.

Know more about these updates and what they mean for you.

Why is this happening?

This recognition is part of New Zealand’s gradual shift to the National Occupation List (NOL). 

Before, they used the Australia New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) in assessing applications for the AEWV.

But in November 2024, the National Occupation List (NOL) became New Zealand’s official job list, replacing ANZSCO. 

In July 2025, more skilled jobs were added to the NOL.

Starting 3 November 2025, 91 new roles from the NOL will be recognised for AEWV applications. 

As you can see, INZ is gradually shifting to using NOL only. They are introducing it in stages to give employers and skilled migrants time to adapt.

• Chance for longer stays: If your role is now recognised at a higher skill level (1–3) under the National Occupation List (NOL), you may qualify for a longer stay in New Zealand. That’s up to five years on an AEWV.

• More visa options: The inclusion of 91 new occupations means more skilled and mid-level workers can now apply for the AEWV.

• Stronger retention advantage: With clearer skill classifications and extended visa durations, you may find it easier to retain your experienced migrant workers.

• Broader hiring pool: The newly recognised NOL roles open more options for hiring skilled migrants across different industries and levels.

If you’re an employer who currently hires or plans to hire skilled migrants, you must:

• Check the new occupations: Review the 91 newly recognised roles under the National Occupation List (NOL) and see if any match positions in your business.

• Advertise locally first: You must make a genuine attempt to hire a suitable New Zealander before offering the role to a migrant worker.

• Be accredited and compliant: Ensure your employer accreditation is active before applying for a job check or hiring a migrant worker under the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) scheme.

• Apply for a job check: Select one of the newly recognised NOL roles (skill level 1–3) and make sure your job description and pay align with the responsibilities and skill level of that role.

• Support your current AEWV staff: If you have workers in skill level 4 or 5 roles, check if they can transition into one of the new recognised occupations to extend their stay.

• Stay informed: INZ will continue to roll out NOL changes in stages, so keep up with official Immigration New Zealand announcements.

If you’re applying for a role under one of the 91 newly recognised occupations:

• You must have a job offer from an accredited employer who has completed the job-check process.

• You must make sure that your job duties and pay clearly match the responsibilities and skill level (1–3) of the chosen NOL role.

If you are already on an AEWV and working in relevant skill level 4 or 5 roles, you may be able to move into one of the new skill level 1–3 roles if you have:

• At least 3 years of directly relevant work experience, and

• A recognised qualification.

If you meet these criteria, you may be eligible to apply for another AEWV and extend your maximum continuous stay in New Zealand to 5 years.

If you’re planning to work in New Zealand, the NOL helps you know which jobs are qualified to apply for an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) and Specific Purpose Work Visa (SPWV).

The NOL groups jobs that have similar tasks and skill levels. There are five skill levels. Level 1 is the most skilled, and Level 5 is the least skilled.

You should use the NOL if you are applying for:

• a Specific Purpose Work Visa (SPWV) on or before 2 November 2025, or

• an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) or AEWV job check on or after 3 November 2025.

• a job check for an AEWV on or after 3 November 2025.

Note:

If your job isn’t listed under the NOL, or if you’re applying for a different visa type, you’ll still need to use the ANZSCO occupation list for now.

Refer to the list below if you are applying for an AEWV. If you are applying for another visa, like the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa, you should refer to the ANZSCO codes for now. 

Table 1: NOL skill level 1 occupations

Table 2: NOL skill level 2 occupations

Table 3: NOL skill level 3 occupations

The shift from ANZSCO to the NOL is one of the biggest changes to New Zealand’s visa system in years.

For workers, it can mean longer stays and clearer career pathways. For employers, it means more stability and less turnover. 

But the transition period can be confusing.

That’s where IDP can help. Our MARA-registered migration experts can explain how these changes affect you, guide you on using the temporary SPWV, and help you prepare strong AEWV applications under the new NOL framework.

Your visa pathway should never be left to chance. Talk to our IDP migration experts today to make sure you’re ready for the November updates.