Changes to Interim Visas – Effective 8 April 2025
We wanted to update you on important changes that may affect your workforce planning.
Just announced by Immigration New Zealand – new Interim Visa rules that grant more work rights to visa holders, more protection for visa applicants and, now in effect this week, the nation’s annual minimum wage increase.
Immigration New Zealand has announced that, from 8 April 2025, more Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) applicants will be granted interim work rights if their visa expires while their new AEWV application is being assessed.
To be eligible, the applicant must:
- Apply for an AEWV while holding either a Work Visa or a Student Visa that allows work during term time.
- Receive an Interim Visa on or after 8 April 2025.
What this means for employers:
- Your new employee can commence the role specified in their new AEWV application and as per your Job Check, sooner.
- Time spent working on an Interim Visa now counts towards ‘Work to Residence’ eligibility.
- For applicants seeking a second or subsequent AEWV, this time also counts towards their maximum allowed continuous stay under AEWV policy.
Please note: Interim Visas do not show work rights in VisaView. We recommend asking your employee for a copy of their visa letter to confirm their conditions.
Minimum wage increase – Effective 1 April 2025
As of 1 April, the adult minimum wage in New Zealand has increased to $23.50 per hour. If you are employing visa holders, it’s essential that your pay rates are updated to meet or exceed this threshold to remain compliant with employment and immigration requirements.
For any work visa holders, they must continue to meet the relevant conditions on their visas.
If you’ve missed the update regarding the change in AEWV wage requirement from median wage to market rate, contact our team.
If you need help determining whether or not you are compliant, speak with us today – it could be the difference between a successful outcome and declines or costly delays!
Stronger rules to protect visa applicants
From 31 March 2025, changes to the Immigration Adviser Licensing Act 2007 means Immigration New Zealand (INZ) will automatically decline any visa application that has been prepared or influenced by an unlicensed or non-exempt immigration adviser.
This means:
- Online applications found to have been prepared by, or submitted with advice from, an unlicensed person will be declined automatically.
- Paper applications will not be processed and will be returned if unlicensed advice is suspected.
- Immigration advice must come from a Licensed Immigration Adviser (LIA), a New Zealand lawyer, or another legally exempt professional.
Licensed Immigration Advisers are governed by the IAA, which sets out a Code of Conduct that outlines minimum standards in how we take funds, communicate with clients, prepare applications, maintain confidentially and manage files.
The rigorous process sets out minimum required professional development for advisers. This development is continuous and enables LIA’s to renew their licence annually and continue practicing.
These measures help protect visa applicants from misleading advice and ensure fair, transparent immigration processes. It is essential to ensure your staff on a visa are getting advice from a Licensed Immigration Adviser — to avoid the risk of being declined, especially with ever-changing immigration rules.
