NZ Partnership Visa update: Upcoming changes to rules for Work Visas for Partners of Work Visa Holders

INZ has recently announced that from 31 May 2023, partners of most Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) and Essential Skills Work Visa (ESWV) holders granted a partnership-based work visa (known as a ‘Partner of a Worker Work Visa’) must:  

• work for an Accredited Employer and

• be paid at least the median wage or the wage threshold if the role is covered by an un-capped sector agreement.  

The median wage was set at NZD $29.66 on 27 February 2023. 

These change are a ‘watering down’ of the previously changes proposed by the NZ government, which would have resulted in partners of work visa holders only being eligible for a Visitor Visa.

Instead, from 31 May 2023, partners who apply for and are granted a Partner of a Worker Work Visa will have the new visa conditions above - i.e. they must work for an Accredited Employer and be paid at least the median wage or the wage threshold if the role is covered by an un-capped sector agreement. Partners will not need to have a job offer to apply for this visa. When granted, they can change employers without contacting INZ.

Partners of AEWV and ESWV holders will usually be granted a visa for the same length of time as their supporting partners work visa.  

INZ has also confirmed the change do not apply to:

• Existing partnership-based work visas holders (until their visa expires) 

• Partners of migrants working in occupations on the Green List or paid twice the median wage

  • Partners of New Zealanders 

  • Partners of those holding other temporary visas. 

There are specific requirements for working within sector agreements. 

Partners who do not want to work can apply to come to New Zealand on Visitor Visas.