Open work rights for partners of migrant workers
Open work rights will be available to more partners of migrant workers from 2 December 2024.
What is changing and who is benefiting?
The government is taking steps to expand work opportunities for partners of migrant workers, enabling them to work for any employer. This initiative aims to position New Zealand as an appealing and supportive destination for highly skilled migrants and their families, while addressing skills shortages in vital sectors such as healthcare and education.
These changes are also designed to create more pathways for individuals and their family to come to New Zealand and make a meaningful impact, while ensuring that the rights of New Zealanders to work and succeed are upheld.
The change will also assist in keeping families together and attracting and retaining the workers that New Zealand needs to fill gaps in sectors facing skill and labour shortages.
When are things changing and who is eligible?
Starting December 2nd, partners of Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) holders in higher-skilled positions earning at least 80 percent of the median wage will gain access to open work rights. This exciting development includes:
- all partners of Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) working in ANZSCO skill Level 1-3 role and earning at least NZD$25.29 an hour (80 percent of the New Zealand median wage)
- partners of AEWV holders earning at least $25.29 an hour if they were already supporting a partner for a work visa on 26 June 2024
- all partners of Essential Skills work visa holders earning at least $25.29 an hour.
Even more exciting is the availability of open work rights for partners of AEWV holders working in an ANZSCO Level 4-5 role:
- earning at least $47.41 an hour (150 percent of the New Zealand median wage), or
- earning at least $31.61 an hour in a role on the Green List and meeting the Green List requirements for that role, or
- earning at least $25.29 an hour (80 percent of the standard median wage) and meeting the requirements of a role in the Transport or Care Sector Agreements (or the wage specified in the sector agreement, whichever is higher).
Can current visa holders benefit from this change?
Current holders of partner work visas with specific employment conditions, will be able to apply to vary their visa conditions to switch to open work rights, if their partner meets any of the above situations.
If you meet the above criteria, we can assist you to prepare and submit a variation of conditions or a new work visa from 2 December 2024.
Why is the Government making this change?
The former government’s limitations on settings had a significant negative impact on our migrant communities. It is the current Government’s aim to position New Zealand as an appealing destination for high-skilled migrants and their families, to ensure our system create opportunities for migrants and their families, while protecting New Zealanders’ employment.
This form is for work visa holders currently in New Zealand to determine their eligibility for open work rights.