New Zealand Expands Open Work Rights for Partners of Foreign Workers
In a bid to support family unity and address skill shortages, New Zealand has introduced open work rights for partners of Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) holders, effective from December 2, 2024.
In a bid to support family unity and address skill shortages, New Zealand has introduced open work rights for partners of Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) holders, effective from December 2, 2024. This new regulation will allow eligible partners to work for any employer across the country, offering greater flexibility for families and improving New Zealand's attractiveness for foreign workers.Under the revised guidelines, open work rights will be granted to:
Partners of AEWV holders in higher-skilled roles (classified as ANZSCO Levels 1-3) earning at least 80% of the median wage, or NZD$25.29 per hour.
Partners of AEWV holders in lower-skilled roles (ANZSCO Levels 4-5) who are on a pathway to residence and meet specific wage thresholds.
To further define eligibility, ANZSCO skill levels range from 1 (high-skilled) to 5 (lower-skilled). Lower-skilled role partners must meet one of the following wage requirements to qualify:
$47.41 per hour for high-wage roles (150% of the standard median wage),
$31.61 per hour for roles listed on the Green List with specific requirements met,
$25.29 per hour for roles in the Transport or Care Sector Agreements.
The change also benefits current holders of partner work visas who, if meeting these conditions, can apply to vary their visas to gain open work rights.With this policy update, New Zealand aims to attract and retain a skilled workforce by easing restrictions on family members’ employment opportunities. Open work visas do not require an employment offer at the application stage, offering partners of New Zealand citizens, visa holders, and recent graduates a flexible pathway to employment across the country.
