Applying for Job or Work Visa Changes by New Zealand Announced
New Zealand, a popular destination for workers, students, and travelers, introduced significant updates to its visa policies on December 4, 2024. These changes primarily focus on making it easier for visa holders to adapt their visa conditions to match changing circumstances, such as employment, study, or location.
Whether you’re on a work visa, visitor visa, or student visa, here’s what these changes mean for you and how they can improve your experience in New Zealand.
1# Work Visas: Greater Flexibility for Employment Changes
Work visas in New Zealand often come with specific conditions that outline the employer, role, or location where the visa holder is authorized to work. The latest updates now allow visa holders to adjust these conditions without affecting the validity of their NZ visa.
What Are Work Visa Conditions?
Work visas may specify:
- Employer: The company you are authorized to work for.
- Job Role: The specific position or type of work.
- Location: The region or city where you are permitted to work.
- Study Duration: The allowable study time while holding a work visa.
If your circumstances change and your current visa conditions no longer align with your needs, you can now apply to modify these conditions.
New Updates to Work Visas:
1# What You Can Change:
-
- Switch to a new employer.
- Take on a different job role.
- Move to a new location within New Zealand.
- Adjust how long you can study while on a work visa.
2# What Stays the Same: The visa expiration date remains unchanged, even if the conditions are modified.
3# Application Requirements for Job Changes:
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- A new employment offer and agreement.
- A completed Employer Supplementary Form (INZ 1113) for non-accredited employers.
- A covering letter for roles requiring a notice period.
How to Apply for a Variation or Job Change?
Visa holders can apply online for changes to their visa conditions, including work visas, AEWVs, and variations for study. The process involves:
- Submitting the relevant documents, such as employment offers, agreements, or evidence of redundancy.
- Ensuring your new role aligns with your visa’s original purpose.
- Paying the associated fees and waiting for processing.
For travel-related changes, applications must be submitted on paper.
2# AEWV Work Visa Holders: Enhanced Job Mobility
For those on the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV), New Zealand now offers enhanced flexibility:
- Higher-Paying Jobs: If your current job pays at least NZD $29.66/hour, you can switch to another job without losing your visa benefits, provided the new role aligns with your visa’s conditions.
- Lower-Paying Jobs: Restrictions apply. For example, you cannot switch to a role with a shorter maximum visa length than your current one.
Additionally, AEWV holders affected by business sales or restructuring can transfer to the new employer if:
- The employer is accredited.
- The role, pay, and location remain consistent.
3# Essential Skills Work Visa: Supporting the Green List
The Essential Skills Work Visa allows workers to fill roles that are critical to New Zealand’s economy. December updates focus on easing job changes for visa holders:
Employers must prove they cannot find a suitable New Zealander for the role, unless:
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- The role is on the Green List (priority jobs in high demand).
- The job pays at least NZD $59.32/hour (twice the February 2023 median wage).
If you’re moving to a role with different skill requirements, you must demonstrate your qualifications for the new job.
4# Partner of a Worker Work Visa: Open Work Opportunities
The Partner of a Worker Work Visa allows spouses or partners of work visa holders to work in New Zealand. Under the new rules:
- Partners can apply for an open work visa, enabling them to work for any employer.
- To qualify, the supporting partner must earn at least NZD $25.29/hour (80% of the median wage).
5# Study on a Work Visa: Updated Requirements
If you’re a work visa holder considering further education:
- You can apply for a Variation of Conditions to study part-time for more than three months if the study complements your work.
- If studying becomes your primary purpose, you’ll need to switch to a student visa.
6# Visitor Visa and Redundancy Support
The updates also clarify the conditions for other visa types:
- Visitor Visa Conditions: These can now be adjusted for extended stays or changed activities.
- Redundancy Support: Work visa holders impacted by redundancy, restructuring, or liquidation can apply for a new work visa or a Job Change to continue employment legally.
Why These Changes Matter?
These updates reflect New Zealand’s ongoing efforts to adapt immigration policies to better serve the needs of migrants and their employers. By offering greater flexibility, New Zealand is making it easier for workers, students, and visitors to stay compliant while addressing their evolving circumstances.
For further details and guidance, visit https://www.immigration.govt.nz/new-zealand-visas/already-have-a-visa/your-visa-conditions/variation-of-conditions-temporary-visas/varying-a-work-visa.
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