As you are aware, INZ is adjusting its immigration instructions on a regular basis. This blog is a list of the seven ways you can currently support family members while working in New Zealand on an AEWV. Family visas you may be eligible to support are as follows:
- a work visa for your partner
- a visitor visa for your partner or your children
- A student visa for your children.
We encourage you to read the instructions below carefully. If you think they could apply to you, then feel free to make an appointment to discuss the matter with one of our advisers. Details of how to make an appointment are on our website.
Obtaining a partnership or child visa is conditional upon the AEWV holder meeting one of the seven pathways listed below.:
If you earn at least NZD $50.34 an hour
If you earn at least NZD $50.34 an hour (1.5 times the median wage), you can support:
- a Partner of a Worker Work Visa
- a Partner of a Worker Visitor Visa
- a Dependent Child Student Visa
- a Child of Worker Visitor Visa.
If your job is ANZSCO skill level 1, 2 or 3
If you earn at least NZD $26.85 an hour (80% of the median wage), you can support:
- a Partner of a Worker Work Visa
- a Partner of a Worker Visitor Visa.
If you earn less than NZD $26.85 an hour, you can only support a Partner of a Worker Visitor Visa.
If you earn at least NZD $55,844 a year, you can support:
- a Dependent Child Student Visa
- a Child of Worker Visitor Visa.
If you earn at least NZD $43,322.76 a year, you can support a Dependent Child Student Visa or a Child of Worker Visitor Visa if, on or before 9 March 2025:
- your dependent child had been approved for a visa, or had applied for a visa based on their relationship to you, and
- you had an AEWV or had applied for an AEWV that was later approved.
If your job is recognised at ANZSCO skill level 3
If your job is recognised at ANZSCO skill level 3 and you earn at least NZD $26.85 an hour (80% of the median wage), you can support:
- a Partner of a Worker Work Visa
- a Partner of a Worker Visitor Visa.
If you earn less than NZD $26.85 an hour, you can only support a Partner of a Worker Visitor Visa.
If you earn at least NZD $55,844 a year, you can support:
- a Dependent Child Student Visa
- a Child of Worker Visitor Visa.
If you earn at least NZD $43,322.76 a year, you can support a Dependent Child Student Visa or a Child of Worker Visitor Visa if, on or before 9 March 2025:
- your dependent child had been approved for a visa, or had applied for a visa based on their relationship to you, and
- you had an AEWV or had applied for an AEWV that was later approved.
If your job is on the list of approved transport jobs for the Transport Work to Residence Visa
Check if you can support visas for your family while you gain work experience on an AEWV to be eligible for a Transport Work to Residence Visa.
Transport Work to Residence Visa
Visas you can support
If you earn at least NZD $26.85 an hour, you can support:
- a Partner of a Worker Work Visa
- a Partner of a Worker Visitor Visa.
If you earn less than NZD $26.85 an hour, you can only support a Partner of a Worker Visitor Visa.
If you earn at least NZD $55,844 a year, you can support:
- a Dependent Child Student Visa
- a Child of Worker Visitor Visa.
If you earn at least NZD $43,322.76 a year, you can support a Dependent Child Student Visa or a Child of Worker Visitor Visa if on, or before 9 March 2025:
- your dependent child had been approved for a visa, or had applied for a visa based on their relationship to you, and
- you had an AEWV or had applied for an AEWV that was later approved.
You must also meet the job’s requirements for your visa, including any income requirements. You are not required to have completed 2 years of work experience in New Zealand to support a visa for your family.
Transport Work to Residence jobs and work requirements
If your job was removed from the list of approved transport jobs
You can support a visa for your family, if your job:
- was included on the list of approved transport roles before 7 April 2024 and you meet the requirements to count work experience from the job
- meets our ‘acceptable employment’ requirements.
Transport Work to Residence jobs and work requirements
To meet our ‘acceptable employment’ requirements, your job must:
- pay at least NZD $31.61 an hour
- be with an accredited employer
- be full-time (at least 30 hours each week)
- be permanent, or a fixed-term job that will last at least 12 months from when you make your application, and
- be a genuine job or job offer, for example you did not pay the employer to get the job offer.
If your job is on the list of approved care workforce jobs for the Care Workforce Work to Residence Visa
Check if you can support visas for your family while you gain work experience on an AEWV to be eligible for a Care Workforce Work to Residence Visa.
If you earn at least NZD $26.85 an hour, you can support:
- a Partner of a Worker Work Visa
- a Partner of a Worker Visitor Visa.
If you earn less than NZD $26.85 an hour, you can only support a Partner of a Worker Visitor Visa.
If you earn at least NZD $55,844 a year, you can support:
- a Dependent Child Student Visa
- a Child of Worker Visitor Visa.
If you earn at least NZD $43,322.76 a year, you can support a Dependent Child Student Visa or a Child of Worker Visitor Visa if on or before 9 March 2025:
- your dependent child had or had applied for a visa based on their relationship to you, and
- you had an AEWV or had applied for an AEWV that was later approved.
You must meet the job’s requirements, including any income requirements. You are not required to have 2 years of work experience in New Zealand to support a Partner of a Worker Work Visa.
Care Workforce Work to Residence Visa jobs and work requirements
If your job is on the Green List
If your job is on the Green List and you meet the job’s requirements, you can support:
- a Partner of a Worker Work Visa
- a Partner of a Worker Visitor Visa
- a Dependent Child Student Visa
- a Child of Worker Visitor Visa.
Example
Yousuf holds an AEWV as a Slaughterer (ANZSCO skill level 4). He meets the Green List requirements for the Halal Slaughterer role and earns NZD$31.61 an hour. He can support his partner to apply for a Partner of a Worker Work Visa.
If you supported a visa for your family between 26 June 2024 and 1 December 2024
If you supported a visa for your family on or before 26 June 2024
If you have an ANZSCO skill level 4 or 5 job, you must meet 1 of these requirements above to support a visa for your partner or dependent children:
If you do not meet 1 of these requirements, you cannot support a visa for your partner or children. They may be able to apply for a visa in their own right.