Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has announced that from 3 November 2025, 87 new occupations will be recognised under the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) programme. This update is part of INZ’s move to ensure that higher-skilled occupations listed in the National Occupation List (NOL) are properly recognised within New Zealand’s immigration system.

Transition to the National Occupation List

The National Occupation List (NOL) is New Zealand’s new job classification framework, replacing the older Australia and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) system. The NOL officially became the national standard in November 2024, with its most recent update taking place on 1 July 2025.

Unlike ANZSCO, the NOL has been designed to reflect New Zealand’s modern labour market and will be updated annually to ensure it remains relevant. Because the shift to the NOL is a significant change, Immigration New Zealand is rolling out the transition in stages and will continue to keep employers, migrants, and immigration advisers informed throughout the process.

What Changes on 3 November 2025

From 3 November 2025, employers will be able to submit job checks for any of the 87 newly recognised occupations under the AEWV. These occupations will be classified at skill levels 1 to 3 and included in immigration instructions for AEWV applications.

For AEWV holders, these changes offer new opportunities:

  • Migrant workers in skill level 1–3 roles can stay in New Zealand longer and may be able to bring their family.

  • Workers currently employed in relevant skill level 4 or 5 roles may have the opportunity to move into one of the newly recognised NOL occupations.

To be eligible, they will need to have either:

  • At least three years of directly relevant work experience, or

  • A recognised qualification.

If these criteria are met, they may be able to apply for a further AEWV to extend their stay in New Zealand.

These new occupations will appear alongside existing ANZSCO codes in the updated Immigration Online system. You can view the full list of recognised roles here:
National Occupation List occupations used for an AEWV or SPWV

What Employers Need to Know

To hire a migrant worker under one of the newly recognised occupations, employers must follow the standard AEWV process:

  1. Advertise the role and make a genuine effort to find a suitable New Zealander.

  2. If a local candidate cannot be found, the employer must be accredited and apply for a job check to hire a migrant worker.

When submitting a job check for a new NOL occupation, the job description and pay rate must clearly align with the responsibilities and skill level of the occupation.

All existing AEWV requirements for skill levels 1 to 3 continue to apply:

  • Eligible migrant workers can stay in New Zealand for up to five years.

  • Wage thresholds must be met.

  • Workers may be able to support family visa applications.

Employers are encouraged to check that their accreditation is current and ensure the job description matches the requirements of the chosen NOL or ANZSCO occupation.

If you’re an employer wanting to understand how these changes may affect your ability to hire or retain migrant workers, or you’re a visa holder wondering how this update impacts your options, our immigration team can help.